Review: ArtBin Yarn Drum

If you’re like me, the ability to carry around your plethora of yarn isn’t optional; it’s a necessity. And sometimes, that necessity is evil.

Mobile crafting (for entrepreneurs who need constant access to their stash, anyway) is often undiscussed in the yarn industry; it seems like an unattainable oasis. The idea of needing to lug huge bags of yarn - however cute those bags may be, or however light those skeins may seem individually - is daunting.

But I recently added the ArtBin Yarn Drum to my supplies, and life has gotten so much easier.

2014 TGIF Secret Santa Swap Reveal

I'm not sure how many of you know this, but it's been kind of a rough season for me. On top of piling on too much work outside of work (still fun - don't get me wrong - just keeping me busy!) and the usual holiday fare, my grandfather passed away last week. Needless to say, any blog posts I had planned didn't get posted.

I wasn't really sure how to get back into the blogging groove, as I had the same issue writing after my grandmother passed away in April. It just doesn't feel important anymore, even though it is; writing has always been a sort of therapy for me and I've been keeping journals and blogs for as long as I can remember.

Luckily, though, I had something exciting to kick my butt back in gear and come to you with some joyful news. I had joined the TGIF Secret Santa over on Ravelry a couple months ago as a way share some Christmas spirit with fellow yarn lovers. In the past, I've received ornaments from different areas of the country, handmade gifts (which are always a treasured bonus) and, of course, yarn that I can't always get in my area.

I had fun putting together goodies for my own Secret Santa... and even more fun when I came home yesterday to see that my secret Santa was Margaret (one of my favorite YouTubers). I knew immediately that her package would not only be fun to open, but incredibly thoughtful and purposeful - exactly how she appears in her videos.

Here are the amazing pressies she selected for me:

• A knitting pattern book I had on my Amazon wish list (Knockout Knits by Laura Nelkin)
• A cat paw bottle opener that was also on my Amazon wish list (I laughed SO HARD! I can’t wait to put it to good use
• A gorgeous hand-carved wooden nativity to add to my collection
• A cute little “D” ornament that is going on the tree as soon as I’m done typing
• Kitty treats for Charlie and Nelson (Backstory: Margaret's cat Smitty looks like my Charlie and these are some of Smitty's favorite treats, so he thought he'd share some with Charlie :) )
• A rope penguin doggy toy for Fritzy
• Beautiful Berocco Brio yarn in the 9447 colorway "Riot" (and it sparkles - my favorite!)
• A Margaret-made project bag :D I’ve been dying to have one since she started making them!!!!
• Some delicious-sounding “Nighty Night Before Christmas” organic tea
• And the piece(s) de resistance: two pint glasses with the BEER INSTITUTE logo because I’m a bit of a beer snob and enjoy teaching people that there is more than one flavor - and yes, it can be delicious! I LOVE THEM and so does my hubby. He was impressed :)

I can't stress enough what a happy surprise it was to not only receive these amazing gifts when I needed it most, but to also have Margaret as my Secret Santa. It brightened my entire week!

Free Christmas Crochet Pattern Roundup

By now, I’m sure you’re all going crazy finishing up those last-minute gifts. If you’re anything like me, then procrastination is king and stress results in a better product (I don’t know how, but it does. Really.)

But in the midst of all the chaos, we could all use a little break, if for no other reason than to get back in the spirit of the season. That’s why I’ve selected these ridiculously fun and quick crochet patterns for you to make before the festivities end. As a bonus, you can use them to decorate your house or attach to gifts (because you’re done with those, right)?

PLUS… if you’ve purchased a ton of holiday-themed yarn from Blitsy (or just want an excuse to buy more), then you’ll love that these patterns are from companies whose products are consistently featured on Blitsy. Just head on over here to see what’s currently available for all your crocheting needs.

Anyway, onward to my favorite quick-to-crochet free patterns:

Red Heart's Winter Trends 2014

Red Heart has released their list of Winter Trends for 2014, and I'm a fan. From mitts to cowls, from cuffs to shrugs, they've compiled some delightfully colorful patterns to spruce up an otherwise all-white-all-the-time winter season. Here are my favorites:

Bulky Boot Cuffs

Party Time Sweater

Cable Your Scarf

Chic Cowl Neck Poncho

What do you think? Will you be making anything trendy this winter?

Free Knitting Pattern: Autumnal Sun Coaster/Dishcloth

I recently survived an "I don't have enough cotton-based yarn" phase. I'm not sure if it was the plethora of dishcloth patterns I'd seen (combined with my need for instant gratification) or if I just couldn't get over all the overwhelmingly beautiful colors now available from Lily Sugar 'n Cream.

Whatever the reasons, I had stockpiled a full, ginormous box of Lily Sugar 'n Cream that I purchased from Blitsy during my cotton yarn gorge-fest. And I needed to do something with it.

So I dug into my new stash and got to town on a new technique I've become obsessed with: knitting wedges to create a circle. It's a simple technique and there's a lot you can do with it, and I wanted to see what I could design.

And so, this quick-and-easy dishcloth/coaster was born. The size can easily be adjusted to create a placemat that would look lovely as part of your holiday settings this year.

Although I used fall colors for my prototype, a red-and-white variegated cotton yarn would make for an amazing peppermint motif post-Thanksgiving (hint-hint!) Or choose solid colors to coordinate each circle with your home's decor. The options are endless, which makes this pattern versatile and customizable to your preferences!