To Be Gifted....

When asked recently why I knit rather than purchase pre-made gifts, my answer was pretty simple - the things I make contain my love. Sure any gift well thought out, even purchased is given with love, but my knitted gifts contain my actual love. Knitters and fiber artists will understand this completely and this week's book is about just that gifting and love. This is of course appropriate due to the upcoming Valentine's holiday. Have you knit your Valentine a gift yet? No, then this book has just the things you are looking for and you still have time to complete projects before the day of "Love" arrives. Knit on......

What do you think of when you decide to make a knitted gift???  Scarf? Hat? Socks? Gloves/Mittens? Sweater? Sure, we all do. They are the knitted items of choice as it were - the expected gifts - all good, all filled with hours of love and labor - all accepted with warmth and gratitude. Now, I ask -what about the unexpected??? Mags Kandis latest book, Gifted, published in 2010 by Interweave Press gives us the answer to that question. The blurb on the book cover says that Mags has been refining her knitting style for 18 years and I say, well done!!! Gifted, does have a section covering the wearable gifts, but where Mags knits above and  beyond is in the second section - non-wearable gifts. Items such as - tea cozies, ergonomic wrist rest for use when typing away at the computer, scissor sleeves, bracelets, felted hearts, netbook covers and dpn sleeves. All are small and easily completed with the odd bit of yarn leftover from larger projects. A very nice way to bust the overflowing stash. Mags also gives just a little bit more to her reader, a few of her favorite recipes, such as Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix (you'll love it - it would be a perfect addition to a Valentine's dinner at home.) And just in case you feel left out, Mags also crochets and has given a few crochet projects as well.

Mags instructs her reader not to worry about not having the skills to complete a project because all the projects are relatively small, there are instructions for everything and that makes these gifts a good way to expand and practice your skills. I love that she has thought about this, for we all know sometimes we jump into projects that are new to our skill levels and bit beyond what we can tackle in the first go-round.

So, break out the odd bits of bright colored wool and try a few felted hearts as gifts for the upcoming holiday. They work up super quick, are a great first time felting project, and can be used for many things (let your imagination run or go with some of the suggestions in the book.) If you want to give a useful gift to a fellow fiber artist, whip up some dpn sleeves (I think they would be great for crochet hooks as well.) And do not forget to make yourself some of the hot chocolate to sip while you work.What a lovely and loving way to spend an a cold winter's evening.

Happy Valentine's Day to you all....
Knit on, Read on......
The Knitty Scribe