Hi knitting friend -

Mindful of the season, snowflakes are popular in both wearables and decorator items. The banner above features No Two Alike Snowflakes, a Fair Isle knitted hat and mittens set with 6 different colorful Norwegian snowflake motifs. And to left, is one of 4 designs in the Lacyflakes knitted snowflakes pattern.

The clock is ticking down to the peak of the holidays and end of year. Mindful of friendships, I just want to say how much your support and being a loyal subscriber mean to me. I wish you the very best this season and look forward to having even more knitting fun with you!

Hope you enjoy the newsletter,

From Bobbie F: "This is why I love knitting patterns from Heartstrings. Not only are the patterns so lovely, but you are so supportive of every level of knitter! Thank you so much for the encouragement. Will keep you posted on the progress. "

Skinny Skarf Knitting with Big Beads

Knit away the guilt of holiday feasts with Bead Skinny Skarf, the newest pattern from HeartStrings.

Bead Skinny Skarf is a play on words, reflecting on the fashion of cinching in a waist to look skinny. Bead Skinny gives the illusion of cinching the curvy lines of the faux eyelet cable with a pretty bead.

A bonus is pleasing reversibility thanks to how the ribbed texture surrounding the lozenges of eyelets and the beads are equally prominent on both the right side and wrong side.

Bead Skinny uses fingering weight yarn on size US 6 (4 mm) needles and Crow size 9 mm beads or similar large accent beads found in most craft stores. Model shown used one ball Aunt Lydia's Fashion Crochet (Size 3) 100% cotton 150 yards/50g, color Copper Mist.

Can you think of an easier way to be skinny?

Lace Doily Beret (and variations) KAL for December

Shari C wrote: "I am so impressed! This is so lovely and I am excited to make one for my best friend, (and maybe one for mee, too)! "

Fashionable without flattening your hairdo —

Join us at KnitHeartStrings this month to knit and learn along. Lace Doily Beret is knit in the style of a lace doily with a center start and repeating medallions. Featured techniques include:
- easy center start
- double yarn over honeycomb lace ground stitch
- 3-to-2 decrease
- graduated needle sizing
- blocking in 3 dimensions over a plate

This month's KAL also includes bonus guideline instructions for two variations --

Beaded Lace Doily Beret

Thread Doily

The Lace Doily KAL pattern is free to active KnitHeartStrings members for download during December. Be sure you are logged in with your member username and password so that you see the "Download" link rather than the "Buy" link. This limited-time offer ends December 31, 2013.

Come join us if you haven't already. Register now. Introductory Free Trial and Premium Level Memberships are available. KnitHeartStrings members get bit-sized tutorials, tips and techniques, along with a free pattern. Please help me spread the word and invite your friends to join at KnitHeartStrings.com.

Treats of the Trade

Baking for the holidays ... What's the relationship between these colorful meringue confections and knitting? Why -- chocolate of course! Get the recipe ...

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Nifty Nuggets

When 1/4 = 1/2
How long can your triangle shawl be with the yarn you have? Read the answer ...

Any Beads Any Yarn
Ideas for using and making your own beaded accent yarn. Read how ...

December Giveaway at KnitHeartStrings
Win a Special Edition Kit to make a beaded version of Lace Doily Beret. Read more ...

Go Team!
Kraemer Yarns spins yarn for Olympic uniforms. Read on ...