Lexalex Holiday Sale

Drawstring Christmas Bag

I knit this adorable little Christmas bag the other day. It only took me an hour to knit!

Here's how I did it:

I used a round needles (US15) and cast on using thick red and green yarn. I knit about half of it and then began to decrease a few stitches. In the end it was pretty much a square that got narrower at the top (it was just a little longer than the width). I then sewed the bottom half together. I braided the yarn for my drawstring. With a needle I pulled the braid through every 4 stitches.

If you have any questions about how I knit it, feel free to ask.

Tips for Knitters: Knit Gift Wrapping

With Christmas approaching quickly, I thought I would do a post on knit gift wrapping. Last year I did a post on knit gifts for the holidays which you can find here: http://lexalex-lexa.blogspot.com/2012

I love giving knit gifts but you can only give so many knit gifts. Sometimes you want to give someone cookies, or shoes for a change. Just because you aren't actually knitting a gift doesn't mean you can't use your knitting skills to beautifully wrap your gifts. Here are some creative ways to incorporate knitting with your gift wrapping!

1) Knit Clutch

This little bag is great for small gifts. You can stick some simple things in here like candy or nail polish. I sewed a button on the inside so it can snap shut like a purse. This is not only gift wrapping but it doubles as a clutch/wallet. 

 2) Knit Gift Bag

This knit bag is so easy to knit. The one in the picture only took my an hour to knit and sew. You can stick almost anything in here. I particularly like to use these bags for giving coffee or tea as a gift. 

3) Knit Jar Cozy

Giving something in a jar as a gift? Knit a cozy for it! I decorated mine with lace and buttons. You could also fill an empty jar with things like candy canes or pencils.

4) Knit Bow Garland

I used this bow garland in place of ribbon. It looks lovely on gifts and can be reused for many things. 

5) Knit 'Wrapping Paper'

It may seem like a strange idea but it actually works perfect for wrapping breakable items. In the picture below, I wrapped a little glass cup in knit 'wrapping paper'. 

6) Knit Bow Ornaments

I've used this idea in other posts. You can wrap little boxes with bows and they can double as ornaments or hair bows. You could knit any kind of ornament and use it to wrap another gift. (Some other ornament ideas include round ornaments, mini santa hats, knit snowmen, etc.)

Do you have any cool holiday knitting tips you'd like to share?

Knit Ornament Pattern

My Knit Ornament Pattern is now available on Etsy! :) I loved making this pattern. These ornaments are not only easy to knit, they make great Christmas gifts. 

You can purchase the pattern here: Lexalex Ornament Knitting Pattern

Here are the pictures that are included when you buy my pattern on Etsy. If you get lost, the pictures help you stay on track. 

Christmas Presents

Here are a few of my other Christmas presents! This first is a feather hair comb. I can't wait to wear it in the summer with my hair in a bun. The other is a pretty pair of flower earrings. What wonderful things did you get/give for Christmas?

Gift Wrapping: Lexalex Style

My favorite way to wrap Christmas gifts? I love using paper that I can color and draw on. I also love using left over yarn to tie around my gifts.

Tips for Knitters: Knit Gifts for the Holidays

Being a crafty person, I love to give others gifts I've hand-made myself. There are many difficulties when it comes to giving hand-made gifts.  One problem is giving people something they'll really enjoy that is actually good quality. Another problem is coming up with something that isn't too expensive (us knitters know that good quality yarn isn't cheap!). One of my major problems is coming up with something that won't take me too long. When I have over twenty people on my gift list I can't just knit them all a new blanket or a sweater. Since I give my friends a knit-gift every year, I have come up with a great list of knit gifts that are easy, quick, good quality, and reasonably priced.  Who doesn't love a good hand-made gift?

1) Knit Bows

I love knit bows because they have so many different uses. They can be used as ornaments or hair bows. You can also use them to wrap your gifts. They take up barely any yarn and they are obviously easy to make. I add lace or ribbon to mine to make them a little fancier.

Here's an easy knit bow tutorial: Knit Bow Pattern

2) Knit Mug Cozy

Knit mug cozies are another easy gift that have been very popular this year. You can make one for a normal mug or a handle-less mug. I like to buy cute mugs online and then give them as a gift with the mug cozy. 

You can find a free mug cozy pattern here: Mug Cozy Pattern 

Or here: Linen Ridge Mug Sweater

You can find a simple free coffee sleeve pattern here: Left out of the Phase Coffee Sleeve

You can look at or purchase my mug cozies here: Lexalex Mug Cozies  

3) Knit Leg Warmers 

During the holiday season, chunk yarn and large needles are my best friends. You may think leg warmers or socks would take you far too long but I knit these leg warmers in one day. Just get some large sock needles (I use size 12.0 needles) and very chunky yarn. I like leg warmers because they are like socks but I don't have to worry about doing the heel. 

You can find a great free leg warmer pattern here: Chunky Knit Leg Warmers

 

4) Knit Pouch 

This cute little knit pouch can be used for many different things. It could be used as a coin purse or a sunglasses case. Just add a cute button to close it up. I knit this one with chunky turquoise yarn. 

You can find a free knit purse pattern here: Knit Purse

5) Chunky Knit Slouchy Hat

I love slouchy hat because they are an item almost all of my friends love. They are great because you can knit them with big round needles and chunky yarn so they don't take much time at all. Also, you can use up a lot of left over yarn by making striped slouchy hats and hiding the knots on the inside.

You can find a free chunky slouchy hat pattern here: Easy Slouchy Hat Pattern

You can look out or purchase my knit slouchy hats here: Lexalex Slouchy Hats

6) Knit Washcloths 

Washcloths are great knit gifts for mothers, grandmothers, or friends. Washcloth yarn is a reasonable price and you can even buy it at Walmart. I never use patterns for washcloths  because you really just have to knit a square. You can find any fun stitch pattern though and use it. 

You can find bulk washcloth yarn for sale here: Peaches and Cream Washcloth Yarn

You can find knitting stitches here: Library Of Knitting Stitches

You can find free washcloth patterns here: Washcloth Patterns

You can look and or purchase my washcloths here: Lexalex Washcloths

7) Chunky Knit Pillow

This adorable turquoise pillow only took me a few days to knit. I just knit a giant rectangle, folded it in half, sewed the edges together, and filled it with pillow stuffing. Once again, large needles and chunky yarn helped me finish this project very quickly. I've given this as a birthday gift and my friend loved it.

You can find a free pillow pattern here: Pillow Patterns

You can look at or purchase my pillows here: Lexalex Pink and Turquoise Pillow

8) Knit Headbands

Knit headbands are quickly to make and there are many different ways to knit them. Headbands are the main thing I sell at my Etsy Store. They make such great gifts. 

You can find free headband patterns here: Headband Patterns

You can look at or purchase my knit headbands here: Lexalex Knit Headband