A Magical Christmas" I Like Crochet Features + Review!

Rosy cheeks and frosty breath appear as you step outside to enjoy the magic of the season’s first snowfall. As the brisk winter weather envelopes you in an icy blanket, bundle up and stay warm with the help of a trusty handmade scarf, beanie or pair of mittens; Sentimental layering pieces passed down from generation to generation!

Capture the beauty of the holiday season through the classic and festive designs in the latest issue of I Like Crochet (featuring 25+ winter-ready designs, available on iPad and Desktop)!.. Toasty, cosy, and beautifully textured, giving you yet another reason to pick up your hooks and and create something new to wear as you enjoy an evening of ice skating or an afternoon stroll through your local Christmas market.

I’m particularly excited about this latest issue, as a handful of my designs were featured! If you’re interested to see what I’ve been working on recently, stick around as I’ll be going into vivid detail below about the inspiration behind every single, snuggly piece.

From oversized cardigans to a festive collection of Christmas décor (the little Olwen the Snowman being my favourite), get ready for the most wonderful time of the year with this merry bundle of designs with me!

Whether you’re enjoying nights beside the campfire, or visiting a rustic wood cabin nestled in amongst the towering evergreens, the Balsam Fir Waterfall Cardigan will keep you warm and toasty as you enjoy the great outdoors!

As you enjoy sipping your mug of hot cocoa, envelope yourself in the snuggly warmth of this cardigan, a stylish piece that comfortably drapes over any ensemble. The dramatic waterfall style brings a touch of modern elegance to this snuggly cardi, whilst the forest-like design conjures up fond memories of woodland floors scattered with pine cones – Making this layering piece both functional and fashionable!

For this particular design I knew I wanted to use multiple colors to truly replicate that rustic and natured-inspired look. Rowan Softyak DK was the perfect fit, and worked up into one of the softest and snuggliest cardigans I’ve made to date… A new favorite for sure!

With it’s fluffy pompom, and whimsical design, The Hemlock Hat will quickly become your new favourite accessory as it pairs perfectly with anything and everything; Especially with a loose sweater and jeans as you enjoy misty, magical morning walks around the mountainside…

Enhanced with a classic thermal stitch pattern, there’s no doubt that this sophisticated hat will protect your ears from the bitter cold, whilst taming any unruly strands of hair blowing in the wind. Topped with a fluffy pom-pom, what better way to stay warm this winter as you enjoy early morning hikes and trips to the park…

Picking the ideal yarn for this piece was a bit tricky, as I wanted the mountain-scape design to truly pop, yet still keep the overall look and feel of this hat subtle and effortless enough to be work with anything and everything. When I stumbled upon Berroco Ultra Alpaca it was love at first sight, and knew without a doubt that this was the yarn I had been looking for. From the feminine hues to the incredible stitch definition, working with this yarn was an absolute pleasure!

Inspired by the dancing candy canes in the Nutcracker ballet, this darling “Land Of Sweets” Candy Cane Dress would make a wonderful handmade present for any little girl this Christmas, as she enjoys twirling around the tree on Christmas Eve…

The delightfully bold stripes represent the sugary goodness, adding just the smallest hint of festive charm to this already adorable candy cane inspired ensemble. While the flared skirt gives it personality, the simplicity of the stitch makes it a classic wardrobe staple to be enjoyed for many Christmases to come, passed down from little person to little person.

Locating just the right shade of red and white to replicate the look of a minty candy cane could easily have been a daunting challenge if I hadn’t luckily come across Cascade 220 Superwash Sport, the perfect blend of cosiness! Working with this wool was such a delight, and I can’t wait to pull it out again when creating snuggly pieces for a my own little ones in the future…

As the snow gently sways around every corner outside, head indoors and cosy up on the couch with a warm cup of hot chocolate and this festive, plushy “Snow Queen” Fair Isle Pillow to prop up your head as you enjoy a good book by a roaring fireplace.

Perfect as a throw cushion, the traditional, fair isle design makes this an classic yet artistic home accessory for any room! From the whimsical snowflake pattern to the rustic buttons, this cushion will conjure up childhood memories of mornings spent around the Christmas tree.

Worked up using Debbie Bliss Rialto Chunky, this cushion not only features beautiful stitch definition, but also feels extremely soft to the touch thanks to being 100% merino wool.

– Snow flurries delicately dancing on the cool evening breeze, bringing with them the magic of the season. Snowcapped evergreens around every corner are a gentle reminder that Christmas has come to town. As you excitedly prepare for the most wonderful time of the year, give the gift of handmade this Christmas. Looking for some inspiration in the handmade gift-giving department? Look no further, as this latest issue is overflowing with 25+ delightfully cosy designs to keep you and your loved ones warm this festive season!

– The ballet is one of those memories that holds a very special and dear place in my heart as I know it does in many other hearts around the globe. Artistic, elegant and beautiful are all words that come to mind when attempting to describe the moving performances by these passionate ballerinas. With over a hundred years of history, The Nutcrackers sparks nostalgic memories in us all, of a magical and musical Christmas. Reimagined in crochet form, this issue offers a selection of designs inspired by this classical ballet, from the a Nutcracker Prince amigurumi doll (pictured below) to a delicious Candy Cane Dress, what more could you possibly ask for this festive season?

– Enjoy long walks on cool, crisp winter mornings? Good, because blustery weather is here and the days are only going to continue getting chillier and chillier! To combat the cold, and keep the coolness at bay, it’s time to start crocheting those snuggly winter designs to add to your closet. With several sweaters to pick and choose from to the delightful Ponderosa Pine Shawl (pictured below), you’ll have something new and cosy to wear every day!