Best Little Yarn Shops Gift Guide

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Yarn.  It's the literal string of life for many knitters and crocheters.  Those who don't knit or crochet might never be able to understand our obsession with it.  But those of us who get it are always on the lookout for the next amazing skien.  And sometimes those who love us want to contribute, but don't know how.  This Yarn Gift Guide is for both the yarn lover and those who love a yarn lover.

These are some of the Best Little Yarn Shops that I've stumbled upon.  I've personally used yarns from these shops and absolutely loved them.  I will list the shops in alphabetical order.  Please click through to my free patterns and reviews to read more about the yarns.  Each project includes detailed information about the yarn as well as my personal opinions about the yarn.

I've also tried to include any special sales or coupons that the shops are having during this holiday season, especially for Black Friday and Cyber Monday!  (I will do my best to remove expired coupons and sales as well as update with any other pre-Christmas sales!)

Expression Fiber Arts

Shop 

Facebook

My Review

Check the specials page for the latest deals and coupons.

Kimaries Knit Knacks
Website
Etsy
Facebook
Instagram
My pattern: Sterling Unicorn

Never Enough Thyme Yarn
Etsy
Facebook
My Project: Swirl Hat

Coupon or Deal: If you have the Winter Issue issue of Addicted to Sock Knitting, check out page 162 for a 20% off coupon.

Quaere
Etsy
My Projects: Snowman Scarf

Sunrise Fiber Co.
Etsy
Facebook
My Project: Neon Flamingo Scarf

String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn

Shop

Facebook
My Projects: In Threes Sweater, Cherry Twist Hat

The Violet Valentine

Shop 

Instagram 

Facebook

My Project: Perfectly Pink Puff Hat

Is this an exhaustive list of the Best Little Yarn Shops out there? Of course not!  These are simply the best ones that I personally can recommend based upon my experiences with them.  I have recieved yarn from each of the above shops at one time or another, but I always strive for honesty in all things so my reviews include my honest opinions.

Shops of Notable Mention

Please, keep in mind that I've not personally worked with the yarn from these shops of notable mention.  Some of these shops have sponsored giveaways in the past and the owners were a pleasure to work with; or I trust people who have worked with these shops' yarn and they have loved the yarn.  Great business transactions inspire confidence as do recommendations from friends.

Chaleur Hand Dyed Yarn

Etsy 

Facebook

Luna Grey Fiber Arts

Shop 

Facebook

Nooch Fiber

Shop

Facebook

Purple Lamb

Etsy 

Facebook

The Silk Drop

Shop 

Facebook

Yarn Baby

Shop 

Facebook

Christmas Gift Ideas for the Crocheter

1. Crochet Hooks

If you're looking through this list for gift ideas, chances are the crocheter in your life already has a hook or two (or fourteen!).  However, there are some specialty hooks out there that are sure to delight.

Cornerstone Products Lite Crochet Hooks -- That's right, it lights up!  How cool is that?  You can crochet in the dark with these!

19 mm Crochet Hook -- If you don't know, this is a huge hook, but it could be fun to use!

Clover Amour Crochet Hook Set -- I have this set.  It's fantastic.  The grips are also really great if your hands get tired after a long crochet session.

2. Hook Cases

My Mom gave me a great little case a couple of years ago for Christmas.  It's so great to have.  It travels with me everywhere.  It might be a bit ridiculous, but I would be somewhat devastated to lose the case.  (Especially if my hooks were in there!)

Pink Crochet Hook Case -- This one looks cute.

3. Pattern Books

Looking through crochet pattern books is so enjoyable!  It sparks the imagination for new projects.

Easy Crochet Critters -- I own this book, it was a gift from my husband, and have made quite a few of the animals.  Some multiple times.  I love it.  The directions are clear and the animals are adorable.  It's a great introduction into amigurumi.  (Here's an elephant I made.  Here's a giraffe.)

4. Crochet Reference Books

Even the most experienced crocheter needs a reference book.

Super Stitches Crochet -- I reference this book frequently.  I love that it has both written instructions and diagrams for many stitches.

5. Yarn

This shouldn't come as a surprise, but crocheters love yarn.

Bonbons

Nature's Choice

Heads Up

I hope that this list helps you find a gift for the crocheter in your life.  If you crochet, what are some items that you would love to receive?

Wordless Wednesday: National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa

Share your own family friendly Wordless Wednesday posts!

7 Quick Takes: Christmas Decorations

Jesus is coming!  (Yes, our Kings arrive a bit early.)

1. Let's start the tour with our Christmas tree.  Catherine (age three) and I got into an argument, er, disagreement over whether or not it was "strange" that we have an angel instead of a star at the place of honor.  She insisted that trees have stars.  I tried to take it to Pinterest to prove that lots of people have angels on their trees, but almost every single tree that came up when I searched "christmas trees with toppers" was a star or a bow.  So, Dear Reader, what is on top of your Christmas tree?

2. I love having pretty cabinets with pretty garlands and lights.  They make me happy.

3. This Santa is awesome.

4. I love these glittery snowflakes.  (My husband dutifully puts up with them.)

5. I picked up this festive red tablecloth and chair set for 90% off after my first Christmas as a married woman.  We finally have enough space that they don't completely overwhelm the room.

Why yes, those are art supplies.  We get lots of mileage out of crayons, markers, and paper in this house!

6. You can't have Christmas decorations without some fake poinsettias, right?

7. I love wreaths.  This one doesn't look too bad, even though I pretty much stuff it into a box and pile other decorations on top of it every year.  (We put the more distressed wreath outside on our front door.)

PS: We even have icicle lights on our porch!  But it's morning, so I can't really get a good picture of them right now.

For more Quick Takes visit Jen! 

5 Super Quick Last Minute Crochet Gifts

10 Religious Christmas Coloring Pages for Preschoolers

These are all free printables available at other websites.  Enjoy!

Holy Family in the Stable

Holy Family

Baby Jesus in Manger

We Three Kings

Nativity Scene

Jesse Tree Advent Calendar 

Joy to the World Angel

Precious Moments Nativity  

Silent Night Shepherd

Come All Ye Faithful  

Be sure to check out the 10 December Coloring Pages for Preschoolers too! 

Seven Quick Takes

ONE

The wonderful craziness of Christmas traveling has come to an end.  We journeyed about 1500 miles this Christmas season.  I always love seeing family, however, I must say it is nice to be home.

TWO

I managed to squeeze in a few handmade gifts--even if they didn't all make it under the tree in time.  (BTW, Sarah, you should share a picture of your scarf!  I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, but totally didn't take any photographic evidence!)  Catherine is very happy with her Dora Blanket.  

THREE

Over the break, I decided to start a separate blog for giveaways!  So, be sure to check out The Philosopher's Wife: Giveaways Galore!  I will still have the occasional giveaway here on my main blog, but most of them will be on the new blog.

FOUR

I loved this article: I'm Tired of Changing Diapers--Surrendering to the Duties of Motherhood.  It really can be so easy to get caught up in the daily little "bumps" and completely miss the big picture.  However, I seriously am tired of changing diapers.  Potty training has been stop and go for months now.  We don't have any travel plans for the next month of two so we will be starting again.  

Another one of Motherhood's challenges: bringing in the groceries.  I wrote about my struggles with that particular challenge yesterday.

FIVE

Today was the first day that I didn't put my Christmas station on Pandora.  I am currently enjoying Second Chance by Shinedown.  Of course, there are frequent Mary had a Little Lamb, ABCs, and Old McDonald interruptions.  I do still have my Christmas decoration up, and I plan on leaving them up for a little while longer.  (When do you take your Christmas stuff down?)

SIX

Shop at Hobby Lobby! Here's a great post telling you why since I'm feeling too lazy to write my own post.  This store is great even if you aren't a crafter--they have tons of great home decor items!

SEVEN

And finally, a picture of Catherine:

Visit Jen for more Quick Takes!

Wordless Wednesday

Yesterday Catherine and I did the annual Christmas card photo shoot.  This shot didn't make the cut for the card, but I still thought it was super sweet!

I'd love to see your (mostly) Wordless Wednesdays!
Link up below!

   

Beaded (Christmas?) Bracelet

Last night I mentioned on my Facebook page* that I was working on making a bracelet.  Well, I had enough toddler-free time to actually finish it! (Toddlers and tiny beads do not mix.)

I wanted to make a wrap bracelet, using wire and seed beads, that was a subtle tribute to a candy cane. My goal was that it could be a Christmas bracelet, but that it also could be an anytime bracelet.  

I am pretty happy with how it turned out!  

So, what do you think?  Does this bracelet "scream" Christmas to you?  Or is the candy cane motif subtle enough to work year-round?

*I have a quick note about my Facebook page.  I would love it if you'd click on over and comment, like, and/or share things from my page.  Facebook's new(ish) rules on fan pages severely limit what gets seen in news-feeds.  However, the more people interact with the page the more others will see it.  I have over 3,500 likes, but according to Facebook's page stats, only about 100 people actually see my updates.     

I love to share my projects at various link parties in blogland.

I have a button page of many of the places I party, and here are some links as well:
Made by Me, What We Wore, Read, and Made, Show and Share, What I Whipped Up, Time for a Party, Mine for the Making