Iiiiiiiit’s Friday! Time for planning your projects for the weekend – so much to knit and so very little time. Especially if you’re doing any holiday knitting; I get hives just thinking about how few days there are between now and Christmas (and there are even fewer if you’re knitting for Hanukkah!)

First I wanted to mention that Flax is out now, the free pullover pattern from tin can knits fantastic Simple Collection. This is a really fabulous collection that Alexa and Emily have provided for you to learn new knitting techniques while creating garments and accessories that can fit the whole family.

Some quick gift ideas:

Dunbar’s Point Mittens – these call for just one skein of the yummy soft Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyes and the project really is perfect for this plump and luxurious-looking yarn. I actually favorited these a while ago for possible holiday gifting and was delighted to find them anew.

In my wild imaginings, I think that I could knock out a pair of these during one of the two days of driving we are doing for the holidays, maybe you could too!

Slightly more involved, but oh so lovely – Bloodwood Cowl. Knit with two contrasting colors of SweetGeorgia’s Tough Love Sock, this reversible cowl is a really striking winter accessory for you or a loved one.

This would also be really special in two lighter colors, something like Glacier and Silver!

The Knit, Steek and Cuddle pillows might look a little intense, but think of how impressed your giftee will be! And I like my knitting to be a little sporting anyway, don’t you?

This designer is participating in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long, which means if you’d like to participate, you can enjoy this pattern at 25% off with the coupon code “giftalong” when you buy before November 15th!

The Color Twister Shawl is a great idea for that special skein of hand-dyed yarn.

Paired with a cabled border in a complimentary solid color, the design of this shawl really makes a variegated yarn pop! Or knit it all in one color for your more reserved friends and family members.

And in my continuing tradition of cheating on the five with extra patterns, well, here – have a Sammich. (It’s amigurmi! And it’s knit!)