Christmas Is Sooner Than You Think

This year, I'm going to take a tip from the Boy Scouts and prepare myself a little more....for Christmas. (Yes, I do think it's crazy when stores begin selling Christmas trees and ornaments before Thanksgiving; I'm not referring to the entire economy following in my pre-Thanksgiving Christmas preparedness. But for me personally, planning ahead is a practice I need to adopt.)

I love giving gifts to family and friends that I've made myself. Knitted scarfs, bags, hats, dishcloths, you name it. However, waiting until the last minute to throw these gifts together is only the recipe for sloppy work. So, I'm starting early this year. Here are a few patterns that have set my creative juices a-flowin'.

• A really easy knit bag pattern.
• An easy knit bag pattern.
  
• A harder to knit clutch pattern.
• Linda over at Craft Apple is one of those people with so much talent, you wish she'd sell the excess to let the rest of the world catch up. (And she's modest about it to boot.) She continually posts new craft ideas on her site. Be sure to take a look at the free pattern for her "Lindie Bag."
  
• A dishcloth with a teacup pattern.
  

Note to crocheters: I'm sorry. I don't crochet! However, if you have found a pattern online that you enjoy, please do leave a link in the comment section.