Dana's Edit
The Comfort of Gingerbread
As soon as November hits, I’m in holiday mode.
I love Christmas and the holiday season in general, despite the fact that I hate the snow and cold. But I love cozy evenings at home with my family watching Christmas movies under a pile of blankets (and puppies).
I’ve also found in recent years that knitting seems to help make the cold and dreary a bit more cheery. My semester winds down and I’m home more, so my house is usually filled with the scents of something good cooking or a sweet treat baking. My favorite thing? Gingerbread.
I love a warm gingerbread loaf with cream cheese frosting and chewy ginger molasses cookies (this recipe brought my former boss to tears with one bite). I even put gingerbread syrup in my coffee.
Gingerbread is the ultimate cozy—and it made me start thinking about some of the patterns I’ve favorited.
The Gingerbread Sweater by Espace Tricot
I downloaded this ages ago. It’s two strands of yarn held together that can be as cozy as you want based on the lace weight yarn you choose.
Although I’m not one for mohair (it’s too hot for me), there are lots of fun lace-weight yarns that still bring warmth to a project like this. I wouldn’t knit mine in brown but maybe a rich warm red for the holiday season instead.
Oh Ginger Snap! Beanie by Ash Christine
I think this cute hat covered in gingerbread men is adorable. It’s a good one if you’re gift knitting for someone young who is just as excited about the holidays and gingerbread cookies.
Gingerbread Sampler Socks by Jennifer Beaulieu
Although I’m not a sock knitter, these have to be the cutest gingerbread house-style socks I’ve ever seen! Perfect for lounging around during the holidays in your pajamas, binging holiday movies, and eating cookies—that’s what I like to do!
I can’t not mention the holiday edition Doodle Deck from Pacific Knit Co. It has gingerbread houses and other holiday themes you can put on anything.
I always say I’m going to knit myself a Christmas sweater and then never do. Maybe I need to whip-up a cowl with all the motifs to wear whenever I’m out-and-about this time of year.
Since I don’t knit gifts for the holidays (too much pressure and not enough time), I like to always have something fun on my needles. Pick something that feels great in your hands that’s perfect for a cozy night watching movies and eating cookies. You deserve it.
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Always so inspiring. I always say I am not Christmas knitting but something always happens. This fall slowed me down with 3 weeks of covid like illness. Fortunately I got Christmas stockings done for a great great nephew before this. So catch up time for house and maybe just relaxing knits…maybe. Thanks Dana
Mmmm molasses cookies!
Thanks for the recipe.
Always love inspirational eye candy!! Especially from Dana. Love the recipe too.
The last two lines say it all!: “Pick something that feels great in your hands that’s perfect for a cozy night watching movies and eating cookies. You deserve it.”
I hope everyone has a cozy holiday!
Hear, hear!
What a sweet outfit that would be: hat, sweater, and socks! Thanks for the recipe, too! Enjoy your holidays!
Hey, I made gingerbread yesterday! Yes, it suddenly smelled like Christmas in the house. And I think I need to get over knitting gifts too. Too much pressure! But I do like giving something handmade and people often love the handknits and it’s fun to select just the right pattern and the right yarn and color and love on that person while knitting…oh, fine. It’s worth it. Merry Days!
Always love to hear from Dana! Love the suggestions and the recipe. Happy Holidays, Y’all!
Those socks are already in my queue! Another fun pattern I’m making right now is the Gingerbread Mystery Cowl (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gingerbread-mystery-cowl).
Oh no my wallet didn’t need to know about the holiday doodle deck!!!
I have no Christmas knitting plans, which is a good thing, since I fell and dislocated a a finger. But I am back to knitting as I please with no deadlines and it feels wonderful! Thanks for the spicy inspiration.
I didn’t realize I was “on trend!” I just knit the Gingerbread Love Potholder from this year’s Drops Christmas Calendar. It’s full of gingerbread men and really cute. 🙂
What a fun theme! Each link is a trail of cookie crumbs lol. Thank you Dana. Happy season’s knitting everyone !
Thanks Dana for your article and holiday projects. I love the socks and I really love the gingerbread men on the hat!! The hat is just the kind of fun knit we love.
Happy holidays and happy knitting!!
Just added cookies to my to do list for today. Yum