News From the Nest, October 26

From the Knit + Crochet Studio

The festive trees pop up right on the surface of this Christmas tree pillow, and all it takes is knit and purl stitches. The contrast between the two textures forms the pattern, so there’s no tricky colorwork to wrestle with. Gold stars and speckled pom poms add the festive finishing touch, and it works up fast. It makes a sweet gift or a cozy keeper for your own sofa!

Looking for a gift that will be treasured long after the wrapping paper is gone? This knit teddy bear pattern makes a sweet, sturdy little fellow with just enough personality. It’s worked mostly in the round with very little seaming, so confident beginners can tackle it. Dress your bear up with ribbons, a bow, or even a tiny sweater!

Fair warning: tension is the one knitting problem you can’t fix after the fact, so it pays to get it right from the start. I’m a tight knitter myself, so I know exactly how it feels when the stitches won’t slide along the needle. This post on knitting tension helps you figure out whether you’re too tight, too loose, or just inconsistent, and, most importantly, how to prevent it! It’s one of five posts on common knit errors, so keep clicking!

I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for cables! I mean, who isn’t? This twists and cables hat has all the texture and movement of cables, and the extra twists give you extra zip without the fuss. A sewn-on pom finishes it off perfectly.

You can never have too many dishcloths, and this sunburst crochet dishcloth is a pretty way to prove it. They make wonderful gifts too, so you might want to crochet a stack. The instructions are straightforward, and the illustrations help, so even newer crocheters can give it a go. The printable pattern is waiting in the Subscriber Library!

From the Kitchen

Now’s the time to start a batch of homemade cranberry liqueur, because the flavor needs a few weeks to fully develop. It takes just four simple ingredients, costs a fraction of what you’d pay at the store, and the jewel-toned color is gorgeous. Printable gift tags and a little cocktail recipe booklet are waiting in the post, so a bottle makes an impressive homemade gift. It’s also the secret behind the harvest cranberry sangria, so you can plan ahead for both!

If you are entertaining this season, this harvest cranberry sangria is the make-ahead cocktail recipe you’ll want in your recipe back pocket. Cranberry liqueur brings the tartness and apple cider adds a touch of sweetness, so it’s a sophisticated sipper rather than a summer fruit punch. It actually needs time to chill, which means you can mix it up early and enjoy your own party!

I had to make these toasted walnuts with rosemary four different times just to get a photo, because they kept disappearing off the counter! (I won’t name names, but the culprit knows who he is, doesn’t he, Terry?) They’re easy, wildly snackable, and make a great food gift. Printable gift tags are waiting in the post too.

Peanut butter in soup? Stay with me here! This West African-inspired peanut butter soup is a try-it-before-you-knock-it recipe. Reader Chris made it twice within a week, first for her very unsure husband and then for company, and both crowds gave it rave reviews.

Meet Cranapana Bread, a cranberry apple banana bread that tucks a few seasonal flavors into a classic loaf. The tart berries are balanced by the sweeter banana and apple, and the food processor does most of the chopping. Reader Kathi was already on her second batch, freezing loaves to give her neighbors for Thanksgiving.

Craving pecan pie without the whole-pie commitment? These mini pecan pies deliver all the crunchy, buttery goodness in a handheld size. You can make the crust and filling days ahead, or even freeze the finished pies and reheat as needed, which is a lifesaver on a busy holiday schedule. I’m told they’re technically tartlets, but nobody at our table has ever declined one over a technicality!

Think of this spiced winter cranberry conserve as cranberry jam’s chunkier, more sophisticated cousin. Brandy, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom give it a warming flavor that fits right in with the season. Canning is optional, since you can freeze or refrigerate it instead. It’s nesting season in my kitchen, and this one belongs on the shelf!

From the Arts + Crafts Studio

I know you don’t want to hear this, but holiday wrapping season is right around the corner, so take a few minutes to get your wrapping stuff organized! You’ll thank yourself later. This wrapping paper organizer cart is a snappy set of wheels that keeps paper, tape, tags, scissors, and ribbon all in one spot. It replaced a long, narrow plastic box that never quite did its job, and now the paper stands upright so you can see exactly what you have.

Fabric Christmas luminarias were one of my favorite finds from our Christmas market tour in Germany. The soft starlight glow is magical, but the company doesn’t ship to the US, so we had to figure out how to recreate them. Our talented Monica did just that! Once you’ve bought the initial supplies, you can make several bags for a fraction of the cost, which is my kind of project.

Homemade soap sounds intimidating until you hear about melt-and-pour bases, which means no lye to handle. That’s the trick behind this goat milk soap, and it’s a great first soap project. I’d been wanting to make soap to tuck in with hand-knit washcloths for gifts, and this was the answer.

Around the House + Home

Doubling a recipe or cutting it in half is much easier with a measuring-equivalents chart hanging nearby. This printable one features a watercolor lemon background, so it’s as attractive as it is functional. Print one out before the holiday baking begins!

Whatcha Reading?

This past month’s readings were a mixed bag of mysteries and one literary standout!