News From The Nest, November 9

⭐New This Week⭐

Hot 🔥 off the needles and brand new on the blog, the Sunburst knit pillow is as simple as it is pretty. It is plain stockinette worked in a chunky, gold-flecked yarn, topped with a simple hand-embroidered sun. If you can knit and purl, you can make this pillow, and the super bulky yarn means it works up fast enough to finish before the holiday rush or to wrap up as a gift. You can receive the free pattern by email or find it in the library. A mattress stitch refresher is included for seaming.

From the Knit + Crochet Studio

If you have a friend who just became a mom or grandma, the Grace baby blanket is a sweet one to have in your back pocket. Little rosebuds are scattered across the body, and the crochet ruffle edge finishes it off beautifully, even if you have never picked up a hook. I wrote this one for a baby girl named Grace, whose grandma and I have been friends since our Navy-kid childhoods in Hawaii. Reader Lisa Conaway called it a “classic lovely pattern,” and I could not agree more.

Looking for a baby blanket you can knit while binge-watching on a chilly day? Tiny Trails is mostly cozy garter stitch, with a few simple slip stitches that create the little trails running through it. An applied i-cord edge gives it a clean, polished finish, and a video is available if that technique is new to you. It is also a great pick for newer knitters who still want a gift that looks polished.

These free printable knit care tags are the finishing touch for every knitted or crocheted gift you make this season. After all that love goes into a handmade gift, it only makes sense to tell the new owner how to wash and dry it. Print, cut, punch a hole, and tie one on!

Fair warning, knitting these tiny knit sweaters may be just a tad addictive. They work up quickly from your yarn stash and are adorable as tree ornaments, garland, wreath decor, gift toppers, or place settings. They are knit in the round on double-pointed needles, so if you need a refresher, we have a tutorial for that too. It’s fair to say, I adore these wee knit sweaters!

Just a reminder: our Subscriber Library is CHOCKFUL of patterns and printables, all free for subscribers. Has it been a minute since you checked it out? Pop on over to see if there is a project or printable that piques your interest! If you’ve forgotten your super-secret password, it is included at the bottom of the email I send you every Monday morning.

From the Kitchen

Now that the mornings are turning crisp, a warm mug of ginger lemon tea hits the spot, and these ginger lemon tea cubes make it almost effortless. Pop a frozen cube into hot water for a soothing cup, or toss one into iced tea or water when the weather warms back up.

For a weekend dinner worth a little effort, these short rib tacos start with a brown sugar and spice rub, a good sear, and a slow braise in a chile sauce until the meat is fall-apart tender. Reader Heather says only three of them were home, so she assumed there would be leftovers. They kept coming back for refills until every last bit was gone; I’m kinda blushing, because that’s the kind of compliment I write recipes for!

Soup season is officially here, and this 15-bean soup is a keeper. It is smoky, hearty, and a little lighter thanks to smoked turkey instead of ham hocks. It works in the slow cooker, on the stovetop, or in the oven. After his second bowl, my husband declared it the best soup I have ever made! 😋

Can we all agree: soup needs something to dunk? This savory quick bread is the perfect partner for that👆🏼 pot of bean soup. It is flavored with herbs and cheese; there is no yeast, no kneading, and no waiting for dough to rise, and yes, there is beer in it, which helps it rise. You can also gift the dry ingredients with a recipe card for a welcome and useful gift from your kitchen. Reader Bonnie G. says it was a hit with her whole family, grandkids included.

Looking for something to pair with those tacos? These crock pot pinto beans pair perfectly and let the slow cooker do all the heavy lifting. We eat them about every other week, spooned over a baked sweet potato or piled on a rice bowl, and mashed, they stand in for refried beans alongside tacos.

Thanksgiving is just over two weeks away, so now is the perfect time to start preparing! This homemade pie crust is tender, flaky, and full of flavor. It took many trials to learn how to make my Grandma’s pie crusts, and there are tips, photos, and a video to walk you through it.

Chewy in the middle with just a hint of crisp around the edges, these cranberry oatmeal cookies took several attempts to get right, and I am tickled with the result. Tart dried cranberries, warm spices, and a touch of molasses make them perfect for fall. Reader AnneMarie says they are crunchy yet moist, especially good warm with a cup of tea.

Marzipan lovers, this one is for you. These amaretti cookies are soft and chewy inside with a slight crunch outside, and they are naturally gluten-free. The dough freezes beautifully, so you can make a big batch ahead and tuck some into gift bags. Reader Lucy made them for an engagement party, and several guests asked for the recipe.

Rosemary in a cookie? Trust me on this one. In these brown butter rosemary shortbread cookies, the piney fragrance of the rosemary takes brown butter shortbread over the top. If you are trying some new recipes this year, give these a go.

Gift Ideas

Sometimes, stocking stuffers are harder to shop for than the big gifts, am I right? I’m always on a mission to find useful stocking stuffers instead of just tchotchkes. These kitchen stocking stuffers are eighteen useful finds for foodies, so nothing ends up languishing in the junk drawer by June. Reader Pam almost skipped the post, then found plenty she would love to give and to get herself.

For the creative on your list who has everything, these craft kits give the gift of an experience instead. The eleven ideas range from knitting to growing a bonsai to making jewelry to kintsugi, the art of mending broken pottery with gold. Reader Tammy is adding the metal stamping kit to her own Christmas list, since she has been hunting for garden markers that will not break the bank.

Christmas has a sneaky way of getting expensive, and these tips for saving money on Christmas gifts help you plan before you shop. Start by setting a budget and sticking to it; the people who love you would never want you to go into debt over a present. Your January self will thank you.

From the Arts + Crafts Studio

If you want a quick holiday project that isn’t knitting, these embroidered Christmas trees are simple hand embroidery and a little sewing. Keep them simple or dress them up with fancier stitches and beads, then use them as gift adornments, tree ornaments, or garland hangers.

Around the House + Home

If a rusty skillet is hiding in your cabinet, do not toss it. This guide to cleaning a rusty cast iron skillet walks you through rescuing it and seasoning it so it is ready for years of cooking. Reader Jamie said rehabbing hers seemed intimidating, but this post made it doable.

Headed out on a holiday road trip, or just want company while you decorate or exercise? These 40-plus recommended podcasts keep long drives, walks, and project time entertaining. Share your favorites in the comments to help us expand the list!