Gung Hay Fat Choy

Today marks the first day of the Chinese New Year.

It is the year of the Ox.

Every year, my family makes the trek into Philadelphia's China Town for Dim Sum. Afterwards, we huddle together outside in the cold to watch the dragon parade by. For us, it's a wonderful excuse to bring the family and close friends together again and visit with the people you missed seeing over the holidays.



(Apologies, but this was the best picture I could come up with. All my Chinese New Year pictures were taken before I received my new digital camera this year).

And because it would be unseemly to not present you with a gift on such a festive day, I present you with a free dishcloth knitting pattern. Enjoy!



The pattern may be downloaded from my website.


Gung Hay Fat Choy (Happy New Year!)

Holiday Calendar

January 6th

Happy 3 Kings Day to you!
Learn more about 3 Kings Day, the Epiphany, here.

Today being the 12th Day of Christmas, enjoy a fun activity with your kids or your neighbor's kids. I'm sure most parents would be grateful for the break.

Then, secure them in your scrapbook for amusement (or blackmail) years later.

Free Tutorial on How to Make Handy Crafts (forgive the pun)
Instructions provided by Mette.

Mette is the owner of the Etsy store Knitting Mette. It is a store where you can find small cute items and patterns!



This Holiday Calendar is sponsored by the Etsy Knitters Team.To find out more about the group, please visit our team page.

Today is our last day of the Holiday Calendar. Thank you for counting down the days till Hanukkah, Christmas, the New Year and 3 Kings Day with us. I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

Holiday Calendar

January 5th

1 day till 3 Kings Day

Oranges are in season this time of year, thanks to the Florida orange groves. I always pick up at least one case of them. If your compost pile is getting full of orange peels, try making these tiny wreaths instead.



Free Tutorial on How to Make Wreaths from Oranges
Instructions provided by Mette.

Mette is the owner of the Etsy store Knitting Mette. It is a store where you can find small cute items and patterns!


This Holiday Calendar is sponsored by the Etsy Knitters Team.To find out more about the group, please visit our team page.

Etsy Knitters Team's Holiday Calendar will run through 3 Kings Day, January 6th. Join us as we count down the days till Hanukkah, Christmas, the New Year and 3 Kings Day. Each day will feature one of the following: a link to a free knitting pattern, a link to a free tutorial on making handmade Holiday decorations, a free holiday recipe, or a picture of a holiday item for sale.

Holiday Calendar

January 4th

2 days till 3 Kings Day

Only a few more days before the Holidays are officially over. Holidays and pies go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly in my book. So, here is one last pie recipe before the cookbook is closed. (If you jumped on board the diet train, you may want to look away now.)



Regular or Maple Pecan Pie by Granny and Me
Recipe provided by Me

My 'real' name is Marie Haigh and I am the voice behind this blog and my own Etsy store Knitted Gems. The store features my entire collection of knitting patterns for the hobby knitter. All the patterns are my original designs. They are provided in a line-by-line written format. Knitting charts are also provided on some of the Easy and Intermediate patterns. Knitted items that were created during the testing of each pattern are also available for sale.



This Holiday Calendar is sponsored by the Etsy Knitters Team.To find out more about the group, please visit our team page.

Etsy Knitters Team's Holiday Calendar will run through 3 Kings Day, January 6th. Join us as we count down the days till Hanukkah, Christmas, the New Year and 3 Kings Day. Each day will feature one of the following: a link to a free knitting pattern, a link to a free tutorial on making handmade Holiday decorations, a free holiday recipe, or a picture of a holiday item for sale.

Holiday Calendar

January 3rd

3 days till 3 Kings Day

Is it snowing where you are today? It could be if you followed the tutorial below and made several snowballs!

Free Tutorial for How to Make Paper Snowballs
Instructions provided by Mette.

Mette is the owner of the Etsy store Knitting Mette. It is a store where you can find small cute items and patterns!



This Holiday Calendar is sponsored by the Etsy Knitters Team.To find out more about the group, please visit our team page.

Etsy Knitters Team's Holiday Calendar will run through 3 Kings Day, January 6th. Join us as we count down the days till Hanukkah, Christmas, the New Year and 3 Kings Day. Each day will feature one of the following: a link to a free knitting pattern, a link to a free tutorial on making handmade Holiday decorations, a free holiday recipe, or a picture of a holiday item for sale.

Holiday Calendar

January 2nd

4 days till 3 Kings Day

If your Poinsettia plant is starting to wilt, here is a knitting pattern that will let you keep the plant with you all year long without having to keep the plant alive all year long. I always forget to water it after a week or two.



Knitting Pattern for Poinsettia
Designed by Mette.

Mette is the owner of the Etsy store Knitting Mette. It is a store where you can find small cute items and patterns!




This Holiday Calendar is sponsored by the Etsy Knitters Team.To find out more about the group, please visit our team page.

Etsy Knitters Team's Holiday Calendar will run through 3 Kings Day, January 6th. Join us as we count down the days till Hanukkah, Christmas, the New Year and 3 Kings Day. Each day will feature one of the following: a link to a free knitting pattern, a link to a free tutorial on making handmade Holiday decorations, a free holiday recipe, or a picture of a holiday item for sale.

Holiday Calendar

January 1st

Happy New Year!

5 days till 3 Kings Day

Do you have a lot of empty water bottles leftover from the party last night? Here is a tutorial that will help you recycle them.



Free Tutorial on How to Make Glittery Balls
Instructions provided by Mette.


Mette is the owner of the Etsy store Knitting Mette. It is a store where you can find small cute items and patterns!



This Holiday Calendar is sponsored by the Etsy Knitters Team.To find out more about the group, please visit our team page.

Etsy Knitters Team's Holiday Calendar will run through 3 Kings Day, January 6th. Join us as we count down the days till Hanukkah, Christmas, the New Year and 3 Kings Day. Each day will feature one of the following: a link to a free knitting pattern, a link to a free tutorial on making handmade Holiday decorations, a free holiday recipe, or a picture of a holiday item for sale.