It can be hard to knit for men. Really hard. They love to support your knitting endeavors, but they want to look manly doing it. They want something rugged, but not scratchy. Simple, but not elementary. Handmade, but not homemade. And sometimes, even after we’ve done the research, involved them in every stage of the project, tested, swatched, b...

Year in, year out, one of my favorite gifts to knit is a pair of fingerless mitts. And one of my favorite fibers to knit with is buttery soft Merino wool. This pair of mitts is smaller than most, just grazing the wrist and falling a bit shy of the first knuckle, but they’re absolutely perfect for this transitional time of year. And they’re so s...

Even though it would take the hottest of summer days for most of you to relinquish your knitting needles, there are still a select few people who consider knitting a winter-only activity. (Gasp!) We think you’ll make an exception with this week’s pattern. Knit in the brand new Quince & Co. Willet, this sweater is for the tiny person on your...

Swirling, whirling snowflakes, the crunch of cold snow underfoot, cheeks that are icy to the touch…while no one’s ready for that white stuff yet, we soon will be. And rather than fight the inevitable, let’s do our best this year to be prepared. And actually enjoy the season of preparation by trying out a new technique--this week, it’s in the fo...

We know that it’s hard to imagine that just a few months from now, the temperatures will dip, the nights will be longer and we’ll be reaching for our handknits on a daily basis. Every year, I resolve to make something extra snuggly for myself--a hand knit cover for my hot water bottle. And what better pattern for Wool & Honey than the tradi...

One of the best ways to determine how well-received a handknit gift will be is to open a popular catalog and count the number of hand knits. We guarantee this gift will be on pointe with anyone on your list—we can’t open a Land’s End, LL Bean or Sundance catalog without tallying several pairs of boot toppers, ranging from striped to cabled—even...

We had our first real brush with winter this past week (enough snow to require shoveling driveways and closing schools!), and of course, it had us all reaching for our knitwear. One of my favorite gifts to knit--and the handknit I reach for again and again--is the ubiquitous cowl. The older I get, the more sensitive I am to the cold temperature...

Tea--one of life’s simple pleasures. It seems to represent--just by the very nature of completing the ritual (heating the water, swirling the leaves in the cup, waiting until just the right moment to take the first sip)--peace and quiet. Slowing down, if just for a few moments. What better way to elongate those few moments than knitting a sweat...

It’s no secret that I have a special place in my heart for ornaments. Every year since I was born, my mother has given me one for each Christmas, often handmade or to commemorate a special vacation (I’ve got ornaments she bought in Montana, Mexico and Cape Hatteras!) Now that I have a daughter of my own, I’ve started carrying on the tradition w...

What do you make for your stylish friend who has everything--or the trendy knitter that can make it for herself? With about two hours and no previous crochet experience (promise!), you can easily create a beautiful cuff bracelet with flexible wire and tumbled beach glass. Dress it up with a little black cocktail dress or down with an everyday c...

When you picture your happy place, what does it look like? A tropical paradise? The bustling streets of Paris? The sparkling blue waters of Lake Michigan? I think the happiest place I could imagine is tucked into my home on a crisp September evening, on the couch with my husband and my daughter….and my cat, Sal. We’ve started a fire in the wood...

Who doesn’t love cheerful polka dots? This simple clutch purse knits up quickly and is wet-felted by hand to create a dense, sturdy wool fabric. Needle-felted embellishments are added at random--after the piece is dry--and can be altered to create any design you prefer. Our clutch closes with a simple metal snap on the inside; feel free to play...

Tea cozies are the quintessential accessory for long winters in the North. With a pot of tea keeping warm under its own mini sweater, you can share a cuppa (or two!) with a friend while you stitch away the evening. Knit in six shades of worsted weight wool, you can easily experiment with colors and textures--ours is loosely based on the whimsic...

Often, while we’re busy knitting up projects for everyone on our list, the manly gifts fall to the wayside. (Well, men just aren’t as fun to knit for! Admit it--you were thinking the same thing!) This project is great for the handy man in your life--the mitts keep his fingers free to fiddle with the car radio, swing a hammer or puff on a holida...

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been experiencing a huge influx of tiny elves in my circle of friends lately--everyone I know seems to be welcoming a Santa’s little helper this season. (One of my best friends from high school is due any moment!) What better way to welcome the season than a ridiculously cute silver cap--one that’s shaped almost...

Feeling blah about your current wardrobe? Try a cowl on for size. Like a miniature scarf, this close‐fitting neck warmer is knit with some of the most luxurious yarn youʹll ever feel. (Hello, cashmere!) If you’ve never cabled before, these meandering stitches are just enough to test the waters. One‐stitch buttonholes are super simple and the pe...

What do you make for your stylish friend who has everything--or the trendy knitter that can make it for herself? With about two hours and no previous crochet experience, you can easily create a beautiful cuff bracelet with flexible wire and freshwater pearls. Dress it up with a little black cocktail dress or down with an everyday cardigan and j...

The crisp scent of pine needles, fluffy snowflakes falling outside, sitting in front the of the fire curled up in a cozy, cabled sweater….my idea of a perfect holiday. This week’s pattern--a trio of sweater-inspired Christmas ornaments--reminds me of a real Northern Christmas. One features three classic cables, another highlights a slipped stit...

What’s cozier than Christmas morning spent in front of a cracking fire with mulled cider, your family and Bing Crosby’s holiday album? How about Christmas morning padding around the house in a pair of cozy slipper socks? Knit in a heavier gauge yarn than fit-in-your-shoes socks, these knit up very quickly on size 5 needles--in two or three even...

I’ve recently begun to collect blue and white serving ware for my home, specifically pretty little teapots and cups. I love sipping a hot cup of tea from my delicate china every day, whether it’s in the morning, afternoon or evening. There’s something striking about the pairing of blue and white--cheery, nautical and bit English country. These ...

So you’ve knit hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters and socks….now what? Have you ever thought of knitting for your home? Sure, you’ve got baskets of yarn (and unfinished projects!) around the house to serve as “décor”, but why not try knitting your own decorating accents? Basically two super-chunky square pieces with buttonholes, these pillows are...

Who says you have to give up wearing scarves in the summer? Knit in a beautiful blue, this scarf is meant to be worn year-round as a decorative accessory. (The color reminds me of the Big Lake in July!) It’s also a wonderful choice for our friends that are allergic to wool--it’s knit with 100% bamboo.

This may very well be one of my most favorite patterns to date--the quintessential hat for a Leelanau baby! Featuring a wide, floppy brim to keep out the sun, a hemmed edge and a tie created from a cherry stem, this hat is sure to be a winner at the next baby shower. Look for a matching pair of cherry-laden booties to follow!

Inspired by both the upcoming spring and a friend’s J. Crew infinity wrap, the idea for this simple scarf was born. It’s knit with a paper-thin laceweight Merino wool and if you didn’t know it, you’d swear it was cashmere! This version has fewer bells and whistles than the J. Crew version (no bobbles on this baby!), but it’s just the fusion of ...

We love knitted washcloths. There’s just something about sudsing up with a luxurious lather and a handknit cloth that seems to make the daily routine a little less humdrum. Washcloths (and soaps!) make wonderful gifts for housewarmings, baby showers and really, for any occasion under the sun. This set includes one of our signature bee soaps and...

Feeling like a spa treatment? Fill this cute pouch with lavender, rice or flax seed and you’ve got a gift meant to soothe and relax. Pop it in the microwave for a warming aromatherapy treatment for anyone on your list that needs a little extra pampering.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again--fingerless mitts are one of our favorite accessories. Quick to knit and popular among all age groups, these mitts are lightweight enough for areas still experiencing a chill in the air. (Ahem, Northern Michigan!)

Who doesn’t need a little pampering now and then, especially during the holidays? This Christmas tree adorned washcloth would be a nice gift for anyone on your list, or even for yourself to knit before your holiday guests arrive.

This pattern is FREE through 12/6/15….use coupon code KITSCH at checkout. Perfect for your month of office Christmas parties!

Week Nine: Jingle Bell Bag

For the most part, many of us stick to knitting for women. We knit for our sisters, our friends, ourselves. Once in awhile, however, we need a manly gift--for our nephews, our dads, our husbands.

This week’s project is for the tiniest of toes. One of my favorite things to do (when I can!) is knit for the new babies in my life--nieces, nephews and all my high school and college friends that are starting families. This pattern is one that I created to showcase the exquisite, one-of-a-kind sock yarns that are available everywhere, and this...

Christmas ornaments have always been a big deal in our house. Growing up, my mother gave each of us a special ornament every year so that when we grew up to be “big girls”, we’d have a tree full of ornaments for our own homes. Some of my favorites are a glue-and-sand-covered bear I made at the Pathfinder preschool, a lighthouse from a summer va...

According to my friend Marilyn, “there’s just nothing that says Christmas quite as well as a pair of red mittens.” We think so, too. Just like Grandma used to make, these mittens are knit with a tweedy wool/angora blend that will be sure to keep the wearer toasty warm. Knitting up at 3.5 stitches to the inch, you can easily knit these holiday c...

What’s more cozy than curling up with a ball of yarn, some needles and a cup of tea? For those of you who know me pretty well, you’ll know that over the past few years, I’ve become quite the tea lover. While I’d never turn down a really great cup of joe, I start every morning (and follow up with several more throughout the day!) with a cup of g...

A bit longer than most, these gauntlet-style fingerless mitts are both a perfect compliment to the Joyeux Noel beret and great on their own. Wear them over a tissue tee, under a winter jacket or whenever you need extra warmth and free fingers. Cold office? Check. Knitting in a drafty farmhouse? Check. Handing out Halloween candy this weekend? C...

I don’t know about you, but there’s always a little part of me that’s wanted to be French. French women always seem to be so stylish--in their food, their wine and especially their fashion. The runways, the scarves, the jaunty caps….le sigh. While I was picking out colors for this beret, I was drawn instantly to the charming combination of cher...

I love, love, LOVE this week’s gift. Sure, these felted bowls are about as simple as they come, but for those of us who like to keep our clutter to a minimum (or at least store our clutter in an attractive way!), these little vessels help enormously. Knit one for the entry way table to house keys and spare change, one for your knitting needles ...

Probably more than anyone else, tiny little babies need knitted gifts. One of the cutest--and fastest--baby gifts to create is a hat. This particular hat comes in two sizes: preemie and newborn. Give the gift of warmth!

This gift makes even the wrapping and packaging part of Christmas fun. It’s knit with sparkly yarn--who doesn’t need a little bling once in awhile? Tiny and quick, this little pretty could house a pair of earrings, Petoskey stone stitch markers or the gift they really want…..a gift card from Best Buy. I know. It’s sacreligious to even mention C...

This slouchy little hat is the kind of knit that looks good on everyone--a little loose, a little tweedy, a little color--in short, a great holiday gift. Whether you’re trying to block out the chill, cover up a bad hair day or keep up with this season’s stylish berets, this knit’s for you! (I’ve got another on the needles right now--even in dow...

Knit back and forth on straight needles, all you need to know how to do is knit and purl. Which means that this might be the gift that keeps on giving--one for Grandma, one for Teacher, one for the Postmaster….you get the idea. The pattern might be plain Jane, but knit in a sumptuous silk yarn, this handmade gift would please even a princess. T...