Handmade Holidays 2010
November 15, 2010 | Melanie Falick 
As the weather turns from cool to downright chilly, do you find yourself wanting to make handmade gifts for the holidays? We do! As a special gift for our readers, we've put together 14 free patterns that we hope will inspire you to pick up your needles or get out your glue gun and find a few hours to relax and craft. Some of these projects, like the Glasses Case or the Linen-Stitch Bookmarks, can be made in just an hour or two. Others, like the Mermaiden doll or the Mulberry Hat, might take a few more hours, but the end results will be irresistibly satisfying. And if you dream of making a quilt or afghan for a loved one but feel that time is not on your side, why not just work up a swatch or square as an IOU? It will give the recipient something to dream about (or nag you about) in the cold winter months that follow.
But wait! We're not done giving yet. Leave a message in the Comments section below telling us about the handmade gifts you're making this year. By doing so, you'll be entered to win a book from the STC Craft catalog click (here and here). On December 17, 2010, at noon (EST), we'll choose 3 people at random to receive the STC Craft book of his or her choice.
Whether you're a knitter, stitcher, or crafty dabbler, we hope you will find something here that gets you in a gift-giving mood. Simply click on any of the images above to download the instructions.
Happy Holidays!
Limit one (1) entry per person; be sure to enter your email address on the comment form. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and Washington D.C. who are 18 or older as of date of entry. Sweepstakes ends at 11:59:59 AM ET on 12/17/10. Visit www.abramsbooks.com for full official rules. Void where prohibited.
But wait! We're not done giving yet. Leave a message in the Comments section below telling us about the handmade gifts you're making this year. By doing so, you'll be entered to win a book from the STC Craft catalog click (here and here). On December 17, 2010, at noon (EST), we'll choose 3 people at random to receive the STC Craft book of his or her choice.
Whether you're a knitter, stitcher, or crafty dabbler, we hope you will find something here that gets you in a gift-giving mood. Simply click on any of the images below to download the instructions.
Happy Holidays!
Reader Comments (200)
Cloth napkins and grocery sacks for everyone! I may try my hand at fabric snack bags too...just to stick with the theme :)
I am making pillow covers for my MIL, a quilted kitchen set for my Mom and stockings for family members. virginiamae(at)gmail.com
I hope to finish two purses in time for the holidays. With illnesses and work, I have not been able to do as much as I would have liked.
I just found your site through the Vintage Chica blog. I downloaded several of the patterns, but happy to have found the mermaid doll the most. My Jessica is my by-the-sea grand-baby-girl and my plan is to make this and send to her... thanks for such an interesting site and the generous patterns for free!
Cheers,
Andra
I'm immersed in Crocodylia from Knitty. It's on size 11 needles so it's going quickly. I may be able to finish another in time for the holidays. I'm also using my leftover quilting scraps for jar toppers-- lots of chutneys and sauces will be given this year.
May everyone find the time to see a little beauty this season.
Thanks for the giveaway! beth
I've knit a hat and neck warmer for my niece, just need to finish the mittens. I've also knit mittens for my daughter's college roommates and another daughter has requested a thick cowl and panda ski masks for her and her husband. I have flannel PJ pants in the queue that may end up being given as kits to be redeemed after Christmas.
I'm hoping to make my son an Eddie doll from Wee Wonderful and my daughter the sleep over pals from their as well. Also hopefully a pair of pj's each.
I just wrapped up a cable cardigan to send to my 93-year-old Granny in England, who taught me to knit. The pattern was from a Rowan book. I am almost finished knitting Leah's lovely cardigan from More Last Minute Knitted Gifts, and it's turning out beautifully. Will be hard to give away, but it's for my mom! Hoping to fit in a few pairs of fingerless gloves from a Purl Bee pattern for friends, if I have time.
I'm making mini felt stuffed animals for my son's stocking, a stuffed turtle, a backpack, a name garland, and I already finished a travel bag for my doggie. I love hand made gifts!! And I have a serious need to create! :) I've been coveting Wee Wonderfuls!!
I have made two knit cowls, crocheted a bath mat, and sewn three aprons for children so far. Pillowcases are next on my list to sew for a few children. Your books are lovely and i would love to own another one! LOL
I am making matching twin quilts for my daughter and her new roommate at college! They are both freshman and just hit it off immediately. I think they need a quilt for those cold Chicago winters!!!!
I've been tossing around all kinds of ideas but I guess I'm running out of time! I think I have settled on making a few mittens to hold gift cards.
I'm mostly making socks. Thanks for the giveaway
This season I am finally getting around to making a quilt for my daughter. I'm using the super easy log cabin method from Patchwork Style and have incorporated fabric from DD's baby blanket her grammie made her, some old sheets, some gifted material and some new stuff. So exciting!
Then making some dolls from a Wee Wonderfuls pattern, an apron from Sew Liberated for my sister....we'll see how many are finished in time (especially since finding this page...even more I'd like to whip up!)
Kelli
I made the Mermaiden! Thanks so much for the free pattern.
Check her out here:
http://ellenmallerneebarnes.blogspot.com/2010/12/meet-mermaiden.html
Making a cowl to help keep warm this winter. Love it!
I am knitting a baby blanket for my new (2 days old) niece! And, I'm making a sheet set for my toddlers bed and a fuzzy blanket to go on top. And, we're then making hard lotion bars for extended family in addition to other food gifts (like homemade jelly and granola bars)... Nearly all of our gifts are made here at home!
hi! just found your wonderful blog! :) i have been busy making allsorts for this christmas ... a mohair jumper for my youngest, a rainblow coloured crochet blanket for my oldest, a crochet scarf for a friend, two knitted scarves for relatives, a knitted and felted handbag for a friend, a mixed media painting for my sister, a knitted cowl for my hubbie, and some homemade preserves, cakes and biscuits will be made in the next week or so. next year i'm hoping to learn to make socks and everyone will then be getting socks! :)
I just completed a Christmas wall hanging and am hand quilting a charm tumbler lap quilt. Thanks for the giveaway.
What a place to visit. Truly outstanding. Most importantly nowhere to find these beautiful unique designs and wears. mind blowing. Thanks a lot for sharing with us.