Get Ready For Spring With These Fun Projects!

Man depending on where you live you could be like me and just wishing Spring would in fact Spring already. At 3:15 Pm today, April 15th, my phone alerts me to "Light Snow Starting Soon" from my weather app. I mean come on already! I love winter cozy season, and it pays my bills. I love to play in the snow and go snowboarding (though I may not be great at it). But even with all my winter loving vibes I am ready for Spring to SPRING!

So I am playing Spring in my mind and rounded up some fun free Spring Patterns from fellow bloggers to get us ready and in the mood because I hope that any day now the clouds will part and the temps will rise and Spring will be here. So cozy up and lets dream of spring.

Say Hello To The Augustine Throw

I was so excited when We Are Knitters wanted to collaborate on a blanket pattern. I mean just the thought of all that chunky squishy wool made my heart pitter patter with cozy vibes. I retreated to my cozy corner with this big basket of squishy and started creating.

First I had to decide to Knit or to crochet? It was not an easy choice.

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I have wanted to knit a throw for quite a while as my knitting skills keep expanding. I see so many wonderful inspiring designs on instagram that give me so many ideas. So it was a tough decision. But this blue they sent reminded me so much of the rich tropical ocean like when I was in St. Thomas, that it inspired me to do an open crochet variation of "shells" throw. It inspired me to create something I imagined I would use while on the beach bungalow deck when I was there not too long ago.

Truly making this blanket brought me back to those wonderful breezy nights and ocean waves crashing behind the bungalow.

The yarn worked up so well for this pattern, no frogging involved! It just flowed which is another sign it was meant to be a crochet blanket. I could not be more thrilled with the final outcome.

You can get the free pattern here.

And you can enter below to win all the yarn to make your own! Yup - that is right: We Are Knitters will send you all the yarn you need to make this blanket in the color of your choice. Enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: we are knitters sent me this yarn free of charge for the purpose of this pattern collaboration and giveaway. Although this is sponsored content, opinions and review and design are completely my own.

Oh Hello There Rare Creature

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I had seen this new yarn from The Rare Creature scroll across my instagram feed for a couple of weeks now. Everyone raving about the squishy awesomeness of this ethically sourced Alpaca. I was getting very curious. When I got the chance to collaborate with Lisa at The Rare Creature and got my hands on The Big Softy, well I quickly understood all the fuss.

I AM OBSESSED. No exaggeration. Simply obsessed.

I can't lie: when I opened the box I immediately had a mini 'squeeze the yarn ball' festival because it is just so dang squishy. The earthy tones are lovely. I like the fact that they are not truly solid but have a hint of shading to them. I had originally planned to crochet but the yarn just told me to knit. So I did.

The yarn works up so nicely. Now, I am still a fairly new knitter so it is to be expected that I would frog my creations now and then. I was pleasantly surprised when the fiber frogged quite well. No snagging or catching or knotting. It simply pulled apart nicely so that I could start again. Listen - that speaks volumes to me as someone still sorting the kinks as I design new garments and accessories. It made me love this yarn EVEN MORE.

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I could not be more thrilled with how this hat turned out and cannot wait to make more. I've posted this free pattern for my Rare Creature City Beanie here.

This yarn has quickly found a place in my faves! Get some for yourself and use code stitchhustle for 15% off now through Christmas.

And as a holiday bonus, because it is the Season of Giving after all, you can enter here to win a ball for yourself. TWO winners will get a ball of The Big Softy to make this beanie. Enter here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: The Rare Creature sent me this yarn free of charge for the purpose of this review & pattern collaboration. Although this is sponsored content, opinions and review are completely my own.

Three Great DIY Projects For Holiday Gifts

My love for handmade is endless. Especially when it comes to gifting. Something about taking time to think about someone, and then put a bit of love into each stitch or hammer swing or paint stroke. It makes the project so special and the giving so magical. Receiving handmade is pretty special too. I mean just knowing someone thought about me enough to take TIME to CREATE something just for me is a little bit of magic.

In that spirit, here are three fun and fabulous projects from three AMAZING artsians you can make. You still have time to make some handmade magic for your holiday gifting.

First up: The Crochet Clock by ChiWei of @1dogwoof.
Ok um excuse me a minute while I literally drool at both the beauty and genius of this project. When Chi Wei initially shared this project on Instagram I was speechless. It is both simplistic and intricate. It never occurred to me to crochet a clock. But why not? I mean really... WHY NOT?

What I love most is the simplicity. In the making and in the design. Ideal for someone with a new home or that friend who loves classic style.

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Next Up: The Lovely Star Stitch Pouches by Stephanie of @allaboutami
Stephanie constantly inspires me. What I truly love about these pouches is their simplicity in design. A sewing project that doesn't scare me is rare because sewing is not my strong suit. Stephanie takes you through this step by step and you can whip this up in a flash.

And if you are like me, and sewing is not on your top of fave things to do, you can make just a crochet version and it is still lovely. It can be a make up pouch, notions pouch, beach pouch... uses are endless. A great gift for anyone really.

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And Last but not least... This simply fantastic Shave Case from Drew Emborsky, AKA The Crochet Dude.
  Now, let me first say WELCOME BACK to Drew who took a crochet hiatus. It is no secret he helped me get my start of taking my passion for yarn to the next level and I am forever grateful.

But beyond that, he is still the original badass for Why Didn't I Think Of That designs that are awesome. This Shave Case is awesome for the fellas but could easily be a make up brush case for the ladies too. It could be so many things and is not scary to make.  It looks like you slaved for days when really you can whip this baby up in an afternoon. So pick your fave color combo and get to it!

So there you have it. The countdown to the holidays is on but there is still time to hand make some awesome gifts of love.