Hi knitting friends,

Wherever you are, I wish you the best of the best this holiday season. Whatever makes up your holiday, I hope it is a grand time for you and yours.

In the spirit of the winter season here upon us in the Northern hemisphere, the newsletter banner above features Laceyflakes, the HeartStrings pattern for knitted lace snowflake medallions.

I can imagine that everyone is pretty busy with the holiday season upon us (I know I am!). Even so, I hope you can find lots of time to knit and enjoy life -- and this month's newsletter issue, too, of course!
Holiday hugs,

p.s. I'm ready for holiday parties with my Bitty Beady Christmas Tree Earrings above. Click the picture to see larger pictures and read about this even tinier version of the original ornament-sized pattern.

Add an extra layer of stylish warmth
It's that time of the year in the Northern hemisphere when knitting heats up to help keep ourselves and loved ones warm. Here are ideas for some favorite HeartStrings projects to layer against the cold.

Above left: Errant Lace Hand Coverings in DK weight yarn
About right: Smoke Ring with Lace Edging in laceweight or fingering yarn

Above left: Handsome Dickey in sport weight yarn
Above right: Beaded Basketweave Scarf in DK weight yarn and beads

Above left: Easy Elegance Ensemble in worsted weight yarn
Above right: Qiviut Neck Muff in laceweight or light fingering weight yarn

Of course, this is just a start to the ideas. For more inspiration, check out these other Collections of patterns at HeartStrings: Scarves / Stoles, Neck & Up Coverings, and For the Hands.

Lace Christmas Ball

This lovely Lace Christmas Ball was made by Mary Mauz using the Antique Satin and Lace Ornament pattern.

Instead of attaching her hand-knit beaded lace edging to a commercial satin ornament ball, she used a felted wool ball handmade by her daughter.

What I great idea, don't you think? Thank you Mary for sharing.

A Bit of Lace Dolly Shawl

The final featured pattern in the year-long Bits of Lace 2012 Project Series is A Bit of Lace Dolly Shawl.

This small top-down Faroese-style shawl has an attached edging as a bind off. The size is suitable for 18" dolls and teddy bears, making it a delightful gift for a lucky doll or teddy bear lover!

A Bit of Lace Dolly Shawl will be available in the Free Membership Pattern area only through December 31, 2012. Get it now ... (Be sure that you are logged in to see the free Download button rather than the Buy Now button. There is also a new Ravelry delivery option.)

Not a KnitHeartStrings.com member yet? Joining is still free. And you won't want to miss out on the announcement of what is coming to KnitHeartStrings in 2013!

Tobytoes writes: "Thank you for the wonderful little shawl pattern. Lots of bears and dollies will be beautiful this holiday season! "

Toys of the Trade

Use a teleidoscope (similar to a kaleidoscope) to view a skein of multi-colored yarn. Why? Read on about playing with color ...

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Nifty Nuggets

Distinctively Shaped Faroese Shawls
Learn what makes the Faroese shawl style so wearable and fun to knit. Get a free pattern this month to knit a doll-sized shawl, too. Read on ...

Knitting should not be a pain
There shouldn't be any stress or strain on the finger in continental knitting. Read about how to avoid finger pain ...

Spinner's Corner
What do these lovely Cotswold locks want to become? Read on ...