Hanukkah Gift Ideas

Let’s suppose you need to buy a gift but you don’t feel like getting out of your jammies and dealing with mall traffic. And, let’s suppose that the gift you need is for Hanukkah. Hmmmm……And you want something unique……something that will stand out….something memorable. Not too tall an order. You can go to the local box shop where everything looks like everything else, or you can check out these gift ideas from some artsy folks on Etsy.

 

Hanukkah Menorah with Buttons on Flames by Again Goods  These are too cool!! What a wonderful idea for children…and best of all….no flame! There are other colors in the shop, too.

Hanukkah Bow Tie by Gustys   Is this not too adorable? Just right for the Hanukkah party at the temple.

Stained Glass Hanukkah Menorah in Turquoise by Judaicuts    I don’t know if it is the color or the thought of the glass but I love this.

Sterling Silver Filigree Dreidel Pendant by Adia Art  This is so pretty and perfect for the person who collects dreidels….or just loves silver pendants.

Hanukkah Tutu Dress by Crafty Beever Is this not cute? The little Hanukkah princess would look wonderful in this. I bet she’d twirl a bunch just to show off when she wears it.

Making Latkes Chanukkah Apron by Shem Tov Arts  I don’t know about anyone else but I need an apron to keep me from getting messy when I make latkes. Restaurant size, too.

Hanukkah Menorah Earrings by LindaB142    Cute little menorah earrings with blue beads.

Hanukkah Dreidel Cookies by Katie Duran   Not sure what to get someone? Cookies like these are always a welcome sight.

Hanukkah wine bag from Winey Old Bags A bottle of wine needs to be appropriately dressed. Hey, I know this fabric…..and Winey Old Bags did a wonderful job with it.

So, there’s a few ideas to keep you in your jammies a little longer. Don’t wait too long, though. Hanukkah is only 2 weeks away.

Peace, love, and happy stitching!

Free Mitt Potholders Pattern: Gift to Crochet

I was going through my stack of vintage magazines and found this pattern in a Woman’s Day from the 1970’s. 

They are called Handy Mitt Potholders and would make a great last minute gift for the cook on your list.

Size: 8 1/2 inches from lower edge to top.

Materials: Aunt Lydia’s Heavy Rug Yarn (rayon/cotton)

For solid-color mitt: 1 (70 yard) skein each peacock No. 740 and spring green No. 605. For Striped mitt: 1 (70-yard) skein each peacock 740, spring green No. 605, brown No. 420, phantom red No. 140 and cerise No. 115. For both mitts: Aluminum crochet hook size G (or international 4.5 mm).

Gauge: in pattern st 5 groups = 3 inches, 3 rows = 1 inch.

Striped Mitt:  Starting at wrist edge with peacock, ch 17 to measure about 5 1/2 inches. 1st row: In 3rd ch from hook work 1 sc and 1 dc (1st group made), * skip next ch, in next ch work 1 sc and 1 dc. Repeat from * across (8 groups); ch 1, turn.

2nd row: *Skip dc, in next sc work 1 sc and 1 dc. Repeat from * across, ch 1, turn.

Repeat 2nd row 4 times more. 7th row: Work across in pattern, ch 3 at end of row. Mark this edge for thumb. 8th row (thumb inc): In 3rd ch from hook work 1 sc and 1 dc, continue across row in pattern as established; break off peacock, attach green; ch 1, turn.

Working in pattern with green, work even on 9 groups for 3 rows more, ending at marked edge. Do not ch 1 at end of last row. Break off green, turn.

Next row; Make lp on hook with brown. Skip 1st 2 groups, work 1 sc and 1 dc in sc of next group, continue across in pattern to end of row (7 groups); ch 1, turn. Working even in pattern on 7 groups, work 1 row more with brown, 3 rows with red and 3 rows cerise.

Next row (dec row): With cerise, work in pattern across to within last group, work 1 sc in sc of last group; ch 1, turn. Following row (dec row): Skip 1st sc, work 1 sc and 1 dc in sc of next group, work in pattern across to within last group, work 1 sc in sc of last group; ch 1 turn. Repeat last row twice more, omitting ch 1 at end of last row. Break off.

Thumb: 1st row: Make lp on hook with brown. Starting at outer edge, work in pattern st across free green sts (2 groups); ch 1, turn. Continue in pattern on these 2 groups only for 3 rows more. 5th row (dec row): Skip 1st de, draw up lp in each of next 3 sts, y o hook and draw through all lps on hook. Break off. With brown, work 1 row sc evenly on all edges of thumb sts. only. Break off.

Second Side of Mitt: Make another pieces in same manner.

Finishing: Edging: with red, work 1 row sc all around edges, except wrist edge, of both pieces. Joining: With red, sew both pieces together from the right side. Wrist Edging: With red, work around wrist edge as follows: Work 2 sc in each sc around. Break off. Loop: Attach red with sl st to wrist at seam edge and crochet 2 inch chain. Sl st in each st of ch. Sew end of ch to mitten to form loop.

Solid Color Mitt: First side of Mitt: Using only peacock: work as for striped mitt.

Second side of Mitt: Using only green, make another piece in same manner.

Finishing: Using only green, work as for striped mitt for edging, wrist edging, joining and loop.

A pattern like this can be modernized using “now” colors and different yarn. Try two strands of thick eco-friendly cotton yarn or maybe make your own yarn out of old t-shirts.

Post by GoofingOff

Peace, love, and Happy Stitching!

New Listings in GoofingOff: Capes, Cape Collars, and Flower Girls

Every have one of those nights where you just can’t sleep? Well, that was me last night. Tossing and turning without a bit of feeling tired, then it hit me. My friend came back from Costa Rica with the most wonderful coffee to share….and share we did, at 5 PM. Not a good time for me to drink coffee if I plan to fall asleep before 1 AM. The time change was enough to mess up my sleep habits (why do we change the clocks? Anyone?) but the caffeine keeps me charged for hours. So….after tossing and turning I surrendered to the coffee and listed patterns. Here they are:

Simplicity 9223 from 1994. One size. Talk about a dramatic entrance!

Simplicity 7128 from 1975 in size 6-8 bust 30.5-31.5 inches. So cute. It is designed for Stretch Knits. Love the cape collar. The evening length dress has a nice flow to it, elegant but comfy. Could show off some curves…..

New Look 6357 from the early 1990’s. Lots of ruffles and lace in sizes 4-10.

 

McCall’s 2528 Misses’ and Men’s Poncho. One size. From 1970.  OK, not a cape or a flower girl dress. I had to include this one, though. I love it! 

Well, at least I did something constructive with my time.

Use the coupon code BLOGGIN to get 15% off your purchase in the GoofingOff Etsy shop. I’ve added new fabrics to the shop so stop by.

Peace, Love, and Happy Stitching!