SPOOL for yarn lovers!

Spool Magazine is a new, tabloid sized quarterly magazine for anyone who loves yarn! At $4.95 per issue or $18 per year, it’s nicely priced for gifting, too.

What’s in Spool? Its Premier Issue cover tells us that it contains projects for counted cross stitch, knit, needlepoint, crewel, assorted and sundry needleart AND crochet. And, unlike other multidiscipline publications, it actually contains two articles/projects for crocheters. In addition, even tho’ I don’t do cross stitch, needlepoint, or knit, I still enjoyed those articles and learned a bit too.

The two crochet projects are not cutting edge, but this isn’t a fashion publication. Cross stitch and needlepoint both use charted designs which crocheters can take advantage of. The cute cat, Spot, designed for cross stitch, could easily be worked up in crochet. Even the rather intricate looking skating Santa will work for crochet. This design is charted in color and covers two full pages (Santa as Centerfold!) with a color guide and a picture of the finished project. I don’t think anyone could finish this in time for Christmas this year. But, for next year…..

The Premier Issue contains several embroidery, punch needle, and duplicate stitch projects. This are nice complements to crochet. If you love yarn, these are techniques that are fairly easy to master. Easy, you say? Well, if I can master them, they aren’t in the category of Master Piano Class. Believe me!

Crochet Contributor, Doni Speigle, has created two adorable coffee/tea mugs that are made ‘sushi’ style. You crochet a long narrow row in pattern, then roll it up and add a few touches to finish it off. Crochet Contributor Linda Permann offers a set of covered hangers that are much more appealing than any I’ve seen. Any woman would love to have these in her closet. I love crochet covered hangers to store my favorite garments that will stretch out of shape on any other hanger. These are especially nice when made in toddler and children size also.

Other articles and/or projects in this issue cover quilting, thrift store sweater recycling, yarn shops to visit when you travel, an enticing Three Leaves Mini Garland (simple embroidery on felt by Sasha Wagner), several other articles, and book suggestions. Even the ads are appealing, making me want to check out every website with an image in this publication.

This would make a great gift for a knitter, crocheter, or anyone interested in needlearts or interested in experimenting with needle and thread or yarn and hook. As one who is primarily a crocheter, I’ll be subscribing. There’s plenty non-crochet stuff in this mag, IMO, that makes it a reasonable value for a crocheter.

Visit www.spoolmag.com for subscription details.

Some crochet patterns are practical, some are pretty, and some are just pure holiday fun. This Christmas Tree Crochet Scarf from CraftBits falls firmly into that last category, and honestly, that is exactly why it caught my eye again. It is quirky, cheerful, and the kind of novelty scarf that makes people smile before you have even had a chance to explain that yes, you really did make it yourself. The pattern comes from CraftBits and creates a scarf made up of Christmas tree motifs joined together into one gloriously festive wearable.

If this scarf looks a little familiar, you might already have spotted it in our roundup of 18 Free Christmas Crochet Scarf Patterns To Make As Gifts or in our collection of 15 Fun And Silly Crochet Scarf Patterns. It has definitely popped up on Crochet.CraftGossip before, and for good reason. It is one of those patterns that manages to be both wearable and wonderfully ridiculous, which is a very fine line in the world of festive crochet.

What I like most about this design is that it does not try to be subtle. It fully embraces the novelty Christmas vibe, and sometimes that is exactly what a seasonal project needs. The scarf is made using repeated tree shapes, so it has that satisfying motif-based construction that many crocheters enjoy. It also gives you the chance to play with embellishments like pom poms and stars, which adds even more personality to the finished piece. According to the CraftBits pattern, the scarf uses Red Heart Super Saver yarn, a size I hook, and simple decorative extras including felt and pom poms.

This would be such a fun project for a holiday party outfit, an ugly sweater event, a handmade gag gift, or just for someone who genuinely loves festive accessories. We all know at least one person who would wear this proudly while serving Christmas lunch or turning up to school pickup in December like the absolute queen of holiday spirit.

It is also the sort of pattern that feels a little nostalgic in the best possible way. CraftBits has had this project around for years, and it still holds up because novelty crochet never really goes away. It just waits patiently for the rest of us to catch up again. And let’s be honest, there is something refreshing about a project that does not take itself too seriously. Not every scarf needs to be neutral, elegant, or sensible. Some scarves are allowed to be actual Christmas trees.

So yes, you may have seen this one before in our scarf roundups, but I think it deserves its own little spotlight too. If you are in the mood to make something playful, memorable, and completely unapologetic for the holiday season, this one is worth another look.

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