Overall, knitting can be simple and soothing or as complex as you want to be. The lovely knitted shawls featured below look simple but experience will teach you that it can be hard to wrap your brain around creating the perfect shape and size, while using the stitch you want to use.

Spring Crochet Shawl Triangle Violet Fandango Purple Chic Summer Spring Fall

triangle pitch black shawl-FREE SHIPPING

knit triangle shawl

If you’d like to try one for yourself and are ready to delve into some fun complexities, then peruse this long article/pattern all about Knitted Lace Triangle Construction by Michelle Miller. I think you’ll like it very much. Happy knitting! Added to Knitting Patterns

I found myself lost on Etsy looking at patterns today. I do love patterns! Here’ s some of the more unusual ones that I noticed. Enjoy!

Make it Yourself, Step-In Harness Instructional EBook, How to with BONUS

PDF-Cheap and Easy Twill Tape Fabric Labels-PDF eBook ePattern

NEW PolyPedia E-Book Vol 6 – Six Canes How to Create Polymer Clay Symmetric Mirror-Cut Kaleidoscope Millefiori Canes

Easy Sew – Little Man Suspenders – PDF suspender pattern

crochet PATTERN, no. 20 .. UNISEX POD, COCOON, BUNTING BAG, 2 PIECE SET

Ooh La La Ruffled Skirt How To Easy PDF Pattern

Fabric Postcards are still popular and I do run into people who don’t know that you can mail a 4inch by 6 inch piece of fabric through the Postal Service with just a postcard stamp. They’re such a fun and creative medium – open to any technique or idea and quick to make. Plus, you can send it as a nice surprise to a friend.

Learn how to make your own. I like this idea of using a cardboard template to “audition” the fabrics. Here’s a cute paper-pieced Christmas Joy fabric postcard pattern and an applique flowers and butterfly pattern.  Finally, here’s a cute bargain book that I recommend

Fast, Fun & Easy Fabric Postcards: Keepsakes You Can Make & Mail

Check out Quilting section for more cute quilting ideas

Now hanging letters while cute as all heck, are probably nothing new. Though I have found a super-easy tutorial to make your own–

this and that: hanging letter tutorial

And creative sellers on Etsy have come up with some inspiring examples–

Wall Art Letter R 12 inches tall

Car Theme – 9 Inch Hand Painted Hanging Wall Letters

Chocolate Butterflies 9 Inch Hand Painted Hanging Wall Letters

Personalized Hanging Letter – Thomas the Train Design – THIS DESIGN, ANY LETTER, ANY NAME

Have fun! I added the tutorial to Baby Crafts

With the wintry weather we’re still getting here on the East Coast, an Infinity Scarf is looking like an excellent idea! Many people are selling  variations of an Infinity or Eternity Scarf online. Here’s two of my favorites

Teal Infinity Scarf with Red Rose Flower

Sweet Eternity Scarf in Sage Green

I like this simple free knitting pattern for this versatile scarf, cowl, hood, what-have-you.

Simple Knitting Infinity Scarf Pattern

Crochet patterns are a bit scarcer though everyone is intrigued with this elaborate Crochet Infinity Scarf

Paradores Infinity Scarf

Upcycled Scrabble Tile Adjustable Ring RETRO CIRCLES OLIVE is snazzy and easy to wear adjustable. Nice job!

Here’s a simple version that you can make yourself –

How to make a scrabble tile ring uses elastic instead of the nice sterling silver plated ring from the seller on Etsy, but, hey, you may already have that at home. Added to Jewelry-Making

Craft Trend Alert! Have you seen those adorable card-table playhouses? Made of fabric and full of charming details, I wish I had one of these growing up!

Here’s a selection from an Etsy seller:

Click on the photos to see these amazing playhouses!

But, if you’d like to try this for your kids, read on. I’ve found several tutorials, handy hints and inspiration playhouses -

Made of felt and with a doggy door, apples to pick and more.

Card-table playhouses don’t have to be cute cottages…

Another one for the boys, and no sewing required!

And a playhouse doesn’t have to be a house…

Great directions on this cutie!

Fit for a princess and her dolls…

Aren’t you inspired? Me, too! I’ll add these beauties to a new section on the Sewing page!

Not the most complex project I’ve posted, but it sure makes me wish I’d thought of it just for the clean simple lines and great graphic punch. Congratulations to thesaltypeanut for being so creative!

Kiki

Ringo

Garden Paisley TILE COASTER SET

Vintage Snowflakes and Swirls TILE COASTER SET

Birds on a Line TILE COASTER SET

Happy New Year! Time for a new calendar. There are hundreds of printable and printed calendars around. This year, I like simplicity -

PDF printable 2010 calendar -Vintage Silhouettes

Adorable simplicity makes me happy.

I love a good Nativity scene, and by good, I mean that it touches the heartstrings and pierces the noisy hustle and bustle of the holiday season for just a brief moment. Here are a few handmade Nativity scenes that I like -

Felted Wool Nativity

Reason for the Season, Simple Wood Nativity

Three Scene Nativity

Merry Christmas from AllCrafts.net to you!