lovely little things to knit + crochet

mags kandis

Finished size

SciSSor Sleeve: About 7" (19 cm) long without flap and 2" (5.5 cm) wide at top, after felting. PincuShion: About 4" (10 cm) high and 4" (10 cm) wide, after felting.
Yarn

Fingering weight (#1 Super Fine). Shown here: Brown Sheep nature Spun Fingering weight (100% wool; 310 yd [283 m]/50 g): #n80 mountain purple (purple) and #n48 scarlet (red), 1 ball of each. Note: This is enough yarn for both projects.
needles

u.S. sizes 6 and 10 (4 and 6 mm): straight. Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
notions

Tapestry needle; embroidery needle; polyester fiberfill.

GauGe

SciSSor Sleeve: 21 stitches and 30 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, before felting. PincuShion: 16 stitches and 22 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch with yarn doubled, before felting.
note

The scissor sleeve will accommodate scissors measuring up to 5" (12.5 cm) from tip to beginning of finger holes. if your scissors are considerably smaller, trim the top to the desired length after felting.

when i entertained the notion of a knitted gift for a sewing friend, my first thought was of a scissor sleeve. After a wee bit of mulling, i concluded that by using short-rows i could easily create a cone shape that would accommodate scissor blades of various lengths. By adding some simple stitching on the flap, the gift is that much more special. The pincushion? Just a variation of one of my very favorite heart Milagros (cover), all pumped up.

scissor sleeve
With purple and smaller needles, loosely CO 45 sts. Work in short-rows (see Glossary) as foll: Short-row 1 (RS) K40, wrap next st, turn.
Short-rowS 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16

Short-row 1 (RS) K14, wrap next

st, turn.
Short-rowS 2, 4, 6, and 8 Purl until 1 st

Purl.
Short-row 3 K35, wrap next st, turn. Short-row 5 K30, wrap next st, turn. Short-row 7 K25, wrap next st, turn. Short-row 9 K20, wrap next st, turn. Short-row 11 K15, wrap next st, turn. Short-row 13 K10, wrap next st, turn. Short-row 15 K5, wrap next st, turn. Short-row 17 Knit, working wraps tog

wrapped sts when you come to them. Short-row 18 Purl. Rep Rows 118 twice morepiece measures about 534" (14.5 cm) from CO. Loosely BO all sts.
Flap

stitchinG details

Braided ties

With purple, loosely CO 18 sts. Work even in St st until piece measures about 534" (14.5 cm) from CO. Loosely BO all sts.

FinishinG
With purple threaded on a tapestry needle, sew the CO and BO edges of sleeve tog to form a cone. Weave in loose ends. Felt as described on page 00.
stitching

Mark for first tie at center of flap just above the edge. Cut three lengths of red, each about 18" (45.5 cm) long. Thread all three lengths on a tapestry needle and make a single stitch at the marked position6 lengths. Center the lengths and divide them into three groups of two strands each. Work a three-strand braid for about 6" (15 cm). Tie the ends in an overhand knot to secure. Trim ends. Make another braided tie at the center of the sleeve, opposite the first tie.

remains, p1f&b. Short-row 3 K13, wrap next st, turn. Short-row 5 K12, wrap next st, turn. Short-row 7 K11, wrap next st, turn. Short-row 9 K10, wrap next st, turn. Short-rowS 10 and 12 Purl. Short-row 11 K8, wrap next st, turn. Short-row 13 K5, wrap next st, turn. Short-rowS 14, 16, 18, and 20 Purl to last 2 sts, p2tog. Short-row 15 K6, wrap next st, turn. Short-row 17 K7, wrap next st, turn. Short-row 19 K10, wrap next st, turn. Short-row 21 Knit. Short-row 22 Purl. Short-rowS 2343 Rep Short-rows 121. Short-row 44 With two strands of red held tog, purl. With red, rep Short-rows 122 twice. Loosely BO all sts.

FinishinG
With yarn threaded on a tapestry needle, sew the CO and BO edges tog. Sew top closed, leaving 1" (2.5 cm) gap for stuffing. Stuff with fiberfill until lightly firm but not bursting. Stitch closed. Weave in loose ends. Felt as described on page 00. With purple threaded on an embroidery needle, work straight stitches (see Glossary) to create free-form loops as shown.

Pin cushion
With two strands of purple held tog and larger needles, loosely CO 18 sts. Work short-rows (see Glossary) as foll:

With red threaded on an embroidery needle, work straight stitches (see Glossary) to create free-form loops as shown. With purple, use backstitches to sew flap to sleeve.

Gifted

quick

gift

crochet flower
Brooch
One day at summer camp, using a magical combination of white bread and glue, my niece crafted a flower-shaped brooch for me. Upon presenting it, she shared how she molded each petal, added the center, let it dry, glued on the glitter, and affixed the pin. This crochet variation is easily pieced together in a crisp wool/silka tad more practicaland has just the right amount sparkle with beads stitched onto the tendrils.
Finished size notions Flower center BoBBle

3" (7.5 cm) wide and 5" (12.5 cm) long

Yarn

Sportweight (#2 Fine). Shown here: elsebeth lavold Silky wool (45% wool, 35% silk, 20% nylon; 192 yd [175 m]/50 g): #51 eggshell, 1 skein.
hook

Tapestry needle; brooch back or safety pin; needle with an eye large enough to thread yarn and small enough to pass through beads; 43 size 6 silver-lined clear seed beads.
GauGe

ch 4. Yo, and draw up a loop through first ch. *Yo, draw through 2 loops on hook*2 loops on hook. rep from * to * 3 more times5 loops on hook. Yo and draw through all 5 loops on hook. Fasten off. Knot together tails of yarn to create a bobble.
Flower FrinGe

each petal measures about 2" (5 cm) long and 114" (3 cm) wide. Gauge is not crucial for this project.

ch 30. Skip first ch, sl st to end. [ch 20, turn, skip first ch, sl st to end] 2 times. ch 25, turn, skip first ch, sl st to end] 2 times5 fringes total. Fasten off.
FinishinG

u.S. size F/5 (3.75 mm).

Flower Petal (make 6)

ch 12 to form spine of petal.

row 1 Sl st into second ch from hook, *sc into next ch, dc into

next 2 ch, trc into next 3 ch, dc into next 2 ch, sc into next ch, sl st into last ch.
row 2 working along the opposite side of the same

ch base, sl st into first ch, rep from * of row 1. Fasten off and secure.

weave in loose ends. Arrange petals in an overlapping flower shape and stitch them firmly in place at the center. Position flower center bobble and use tail ends to attach to joined petals. Thread yarn on needle and attach beads along flower fringe as desired. Position fringe at back of flower and firmly stitch into place. Attach firmly to brooch back or safety pin.

crochet flower brooch

ruffle scarf

simple ribbed hat

Gifted

felted trivet + coasters

Contents
arm warmers
introduction Gifts for the Body
Arm warmers Shoulder cozy Simple ribbed hat Baby Jacket Baby cap ruffle Scarf Granny Bag cabled Boot Toppers Petal Slouch cap earmuffs Gilded Mesh Scarf linen wrap Flower Brooches

wrist rest

baby jacket

Gifts for the Soul

egg cozies Tea cozy Bookmarks Pincushion + Scissor Sleeve Felted Trivet + coasters Double-Pointed needle case Felted Flap Bag Felted heart Milagros notebook cozy Yule Bling linen Sachets Gift Bag wrist rest

Make Them Special

Fair isle, cables, intarsia, Granny Squares Add-ons: Stitching, Beading, Appliqu, Felting + needlefelting

Glossary Sources for Supplies index

project gallery

get inspired to
maGs kandis has spent the

last 18 years perfecting her distinct style, both as creative director of Mission Falls (until April 2008) and for ready-to-wear manufacturers. her designs appear in publications including Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting, Knitters, and the interweave Style book series. She is the author/editor of Folk Style (interweave, 2007). Mags resides in a nineteenth-century Gothic farmhouse in the heart of Quinte, ontario, overlooking lake ontario.

Gifted is a celebration of joyful crafting and gracious giving, featuring designs for small but lively presents. From wearable accessories such as hats, scarves, wraps, and ear muffs to household fun including a tea cozy, pincushion, needle case, and egg cozies, Gifted offers projects for knitters and crocheters with any level of experience and time. Each project is individually customized with Mags personal design touches, including beads, buttons, needlefelting, appliqu, and embroidery. Mags shares her recipes for easy food gifts and simple sewing projects such as sewn fabric gift bags and sachets to pair with your fiber gifts, making them personal and extra-special. Accompanied by beautiful photography, Gifted will inspire you to grab another ball of yarn and invest a little time and love into creating something special for someone specialeven if that someone special is you!

Paperback, 8 x 9, 128 pages 75 photographs, 30 illustrations isBn 978-1-59668-178-1 $24.95 available July 2010