Nifty Gifts for Knitters

Since I have been using my Xtensor, I have noticed that my hands do not get as achy and as tired as fast. The instructions are clear, making it easy to put together, put on and start using right away. It's lightweight, comfortable to wear, and you can do the exercises anywhere. It is a great invention at an affordable price. It would be perfect for the elderly as well.

Here is some more information about the product:

"Our hands are the most crucial part of embroidery and sewing. Whether you’re stitching, patch working, knitting, or crocheting, the muscles in your hands are constantly clinching and gripping, which can cause cramping, muscle aches and pains. Now you can safely strengthen your hands, allowing them to do more and perform better. Introducing the Xtensor, a medically-supported exercise device designed to offset the continuous gripping actions the hands go through every day. Xtensor (http://www.thextensor.com/) is a core training tool that improves range of motion in your fingers and structural stability in the wrist and elbow. By applying gentle adjustable tension specific to each finger, the Xtensor provides a natural path of motion to strengthen the muscles that open the hands. Easy-to-use, the device fits on your hand and stimulates the muscles that open the hands through the use of specifically designed finger bands that generate resistance. The Xtensor is the first device to specifically exercise the finger extensor muscles and tendons with pinpoint precision."

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Bloom Putty might not seem like your average crafting accessory, but it works similarly to the Xtensor (above) in that you can exercise your hands with it. I noticed this the first day I played with the silly stuff. You can pull, twist, stretch and bend it. This is another great gift for arthritis sufferers. I love Bloom Putty and I know you will too!

-Available in 14 different scents and colors plus 6 unscented colors, so you are sure to find one (or many!) that you'll love!
-Scented with organic and natural oils, NOT artificially scented chemicals which can be absorbed into the skin or burn if rubbed into the eyes.
-Conforms to ASTM 4236
-Conforms to ASTM Standard Consumer Safety Specification on Toy Safety, F963
-Tested for lead content. Complies with 16 CFR 1303
* Since this toy can be molded into various sizes, choking hazard - small parts, not for children under 3 years old.

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Who says patterns are not a good gift? There are tons of free ones on the web, and you can just download, print, and get a little creative with the wrapping for something truly special. Some people cannot find good patterns and if you can, I'm sure they will be happy to receive them. Check these out:

Women: Katalin Mobius Wrap and Wristlet Set (when you go to this page, click the green link in the body of the post to download this pdf file).

Children: Mazie's Mittens by Stefanie Japel ( This is a pair of mittens knitted with only 2 needles! Search for this on Ravelry. You must be a registered user to get this pattern.)

Unisex: Pebbles Scarf by Teresa Chorzepa (This link opens a PDF file immediately. This pattern is from the Tahki Stacy Charles e-newsletter).

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--SAVE WHEN YOU BUY--

-Kpixie is having a sale right now, in addition to the sales they always have going on.

10% Off your order of $50 or more. code: DEC10

15% Off your order of $75 or more. code: DEC15

20% Off your order of $150 or more. code: DEC20

These codes expire midnight December 9th, 2009 (i'm not sure about the time zone).

-VogueKnitting is having a 40% off book sale.

Gifts to get Started On

kpixie carries some of the most beautiful yarns I have seen on the web, and they are always having great sales from 20%-60% off, including kits. Cool feature: you can shop by garment type or yarn color if you scroll down on the bottom of their website. Click on the little boxes!

calypso lace jacket Loop-d-Loop Moss

This cardigan (i call most garments a "cardigan" if it hangs over the shoulders easily and especially if it has no buttons) is so boho grandma chic to me ;) but I really love it. It's very eye catching. It looks old fashioned but very wearable, and would be so cozy on Christmas morning, or around the fireplace. It is knit in a DK weight yarn called "Moss" (see link below the image), 85% extra fine merino wool, 15% nylon blend and is available in 9 different colors. You will find this pattern in the Loop-d-Loop pattern book by Teva Durham , Volume 2.

Stitch Diva - Endless Knitted Cardi Shawl pattern

This beautiful piece is one of the most versitile knitted cardigan/shawls you will have in your closet. The best thing about it is that it is at an easy level of knitting, which means most people will be able to accomplish this project with little to no problems at all. When I saw this I thought "...wow, I could really wear that for so many occasions."

Lilly*blossom "Book Bags"

Lilly*blossom designs showcase quality hand made products, created with the best designer fabrics to date. In addition, each book cover has a cute book mark sewn into it, with added bead embellishments. The beads are perfect for added weight to keep the book mark in place, and give it extra pizazz. What better gift than this?!? Any reader in your life will love and appreciate these book covers as a gift. They are so useful, and easy to carry. I love my "Turquoise and Taupe" cover, and use it daily.

"The Paperback covers are so easy to use and they are unique on the web! Simply slip the front and back cover of your favourite paperback into the cover and use the beaded bookmark to keep your place, close the book and you have a bag! I use them for commuting everyday and they are so eye catching, people often ask where I get them from and if they can buy them! We also sell lots for holidays & travelling - no more struggling to the pool or beach, just slip on your arm and have your hands free for those essential items such as sunglasses and cocktail! Keeps your book splash free." -Helen Newton of Lilly*Blossom Designs

You can purchase directly from the website, and on the Lilly*blossom Etsy page.

Hot Knits for the Men in Your Life

Here's a little something for those sexy men in your life, ladies :) Style them right with these hot knits. Now I know most men get really hot and sweaty when they wear stuff like this. That's is just fine. Just make them strip off their clothes for you. :)

Flippa K knitted bomber jacket

Vince shawl collar cardigan at Bergdorf Goodman

New African Kikoys at Ankar

These richly colored, East African kikoys are made of 100% cotton. They make perfect gifts and luxurious accessories. They add that perfect pop of color to any ensemble.

They are much larger than expected, and very smooth to the touch. These beautiful shawls drape nicely against the body, and make a bold statement that will not be forgotten.

Here is an interesting interview with Niklas Ankar, featured on http://www.polkadot.it/

"Ankar is a Swedish based web shop that initially only sold cashmere with the idea of colors, the multitude of colors was the reason Ankar decided to sell directly to the final consumer offering more colors than any retailer would. Now Ankar has launched the East African Kikoy, a product originally and still worn as a sarong by the fishermen on the East African Coast of Kenya. The product fits well into the product line and idea of Ankar as they come in a huge range of colors from strong vibrant colors to dark and elegant. The Kikoys are worn as scarves brightening up the dark evenings of winter."

"We spoke to Ankar to get some more input":

Where did you find the Kikoys?


One of my oldest friends lives in Kenya since 25 years back. I have been visiting Kenya through the years and always brought back home kikoys. I love colors and saw the use could be elsewhere than only as a sarong. My fiancée wore them, as scarves and I really liked the idea.



How do you choose the colors?


The colors are traditional African colors, the scarves are woven in small factories in Kenya and we buy from their traditional line of colors. As with the cashmere sweaters we buy on a very regular basis allowing us to offer new colors on a regular basis.

Who is the buyer of a Kikoy?

Any one actually, kids from 15 years buy them, women and men from 25-65, any one can wear them. We have a lot of male customers in their mid 40’s that usually dress traditionally in suits, find the idea of brightening up their dress code with a kikoy is great. It is a perfect accessory for men.

Why have they become so popular?

There are a number of reasons, it is a product that is easy to buy and not very expensive, you can have several of them matching your clothes or even your mood. It is also a great gift instead of flowers when going to a dinner party for example, and they are irresistible in colors, it is like walking into to a candy store, it makes you happy to see the beautiful colors.

What is you next product to add on your website?

We will continue with our base of cashmere and kikoys and we are this spring launching
Ankar Home. There will be a collection of products for your home for spring, again the base in kikoys and cashmere, double bed Kikoy bedspreads, Kikoy table cloths, Kikoy beach towels, cashmere plaids, cashmere cushion covers, there are many products we envision in Ankar Home.

Taste of Savoy Holiday Shopping Event, featuring Lara Kazan

The Taste of Savoy Holiday Shopping Event on December 18th. It will be held in Spanish Harlem at an adorable Bakery (recently featured in Daily Candy) called Savoy Bakery.
INSPECTOR CAPE, Luxury Merino Wool w/ Leather Trim and brass hardware, sold at Henri Bendel for $480 and available for only $200! Matching long leather cuff zipper gloves, normally priced at $145 are now only $70!

The most awesome legwarmers and spats you'll find with leather trim. You cannot walk more then two blocks without someone asking "where did you get those?" These beauties are normally priced between $108 and $138, but are now only $55-$75.

This is the perfect one stop shopping event for holiday gifts. There will be gorgeous jewelry lines, luxury knits, one of a kind hand bags, and handmade dolls by Christian Fastrup. It will not be the typical crazy shopping event. You can relax with a glass of wine and treat yourself to some wonderful appetizers, on the house!

For those of you on a real budget we'll have our SUPER BARGAIN KNITS for $15-$30.

When: Dec 18th, 7:30-10pm

Where: Savoy Bakery, 170 East 110th Street, at Lexington Avenue

Deals: 40%-70% off RETAIL!

To learn more about LARA KAZAN knit Accessories and Sweaters, visit the website:

Lara Kazan

555 8th Avenue, Suite 1701

New York, NY 10018

Tel.: 212.594.6646

Fax: 212.594.6626

Email: info@larakazan.com

If you can not make it on Thursday, Dec 18th to the "Taste of Savoy Holiday Shopping event", the studio will be open during the following dates for anyone that wants to do some last minute shopping, or treat themselves to some real original knitted pieces. There will also be some items at a MEGA sale at 70-80% off!

-Monday 12/15, from 12:30-7:00

-Tuesday 12/16, from 12:30-7:30

-Wednesday 12/17, from 12:30-7:30

-Friday 12/19, from 12:30-6:30

-Monday 12/22, from 12:30-7:00

FINAL NIGHT Party/sale on Tuesday 12/23, from 12:30-9:00- wine and cheese will be served! You are also welcome to come at another time other then the above hours and days if you call and schedule an appointment.

Ankar Pocket Squares

Men need to play more (much more) with their accessories. The more selection they have in their wardrobe, the better. Surprise your man with one of these amazing pocket squares by Ankar. Ankar carries quality pocket squares in luxurious linen and silk fabrics, made in Italy.

Cute Knitted and Crocheted Toys

The absolute cutest bat you will ever create, can be found at CRAFT, here.
Bee "Buzz" knitted doll at http://www.blablakids.com/


McCain and Obama doll patterns from http://www.lionbrand.com/ Fun gifts for the patriot in your family :)