The Connections Warren Watchung Edition Feb-March 2021

theconnectionsnj.com HOME & DESIGN PAGE 22 Winter Special Free Estimates Fully Insured Garlands are decorative wreaths of leaves, flowers or other materials. They are not necessarily circular, but can be long chains. Like wreaths they have undergone a transformation for decoration beyond holidays or events. They can be for ev- eryday and can be made in little time and completely customized. Hang them on your mantle, window, bookcase or even a statue. Be festive. Why not? These small projects require little in the way of materials. Scraps of yarn and a yard or 2 of string is all that’s needed to have some fun. Where should your journey begin? There are so many whimsical choices avail- able for free downloads on ravelry.com. Maybe start with the adorable mini ski hats or choose a Valentine theme. The knitted hats are topped with mini pom-poms and stand about 2” high. Make the pom- poms or purchase at a craft store. When I say little, it only takes 12 yards to make one hat with a pom-pom … too cute! Thinking of Valentine’s Day, these adorable puffed hearts work up in less than an hour. They are stuffed with a bit of poly-fil, but stuffing with yarn works as well. Place them around the house for the little ones to find and then string them together and enjoy. Searching on Ravelry provided so many choices for both knitters and crocheters. Use this list or find many more. Search by the designer’s name or the pattern name. My list of favs… January - Holiday Cheer Mini Hats (knit) by Nancy Ekvall February - Puffed hearts in rainbow col- ors (crochet) by Rocio Sosa Luna March - Luck of the Irish St. Patty’s day Bun- ting (crochet) by Lorene Haythorn Eppolite April - Spring Leaf Garland (knit) by Claire Garland May - Daisy chain kit (crochet) by Frankie Brown June - Pepperoni Pizza Garland … just for fun (crochet) by Twinkie Chan July - The Mini Star Garland (crochet) by North Star Knits August - Ball Garland (knit) by Squibbly Bups (Use your imagination and make into beach balls), or a crochet version by Carla Mitrani September - Pennants Garland (knit) by Myriam Garcia October - Pumpkins (crochet) by Louise Bollanos November - Acorn Garland (crochet) by Simplicity Pattern Company December - Advent Garland (knit) by Frankie Brown, and December - Luxury Holiday Garland (knit) by Kristen Ashbough-Helmreich They can be for everyday and can be made in little time and completely customized. Hang them on your mantle, window, bookcase or even a statue. Be festive. Thinking of Valentine’s Day, these adorable puffed hearts work up in less than an hour. A YEAR OF GARLANDS By Carolyn Hanson A trip to the Emerald Isle just before the pan- demic grounded everyone, introduced me to the Irish belief in fairies. They even place little fairy doors in- side their homes. (Think Tom and Jerry cozy mouse hole .) I wa chanted and envisioned a fairy doo could be fashioned to a tree a s an inary fairy hou e for my grandd augh r ached out to a friend with a full w working shop, sent a photo and asked could make a little door in a do or jam could open and close. I was b lown when he sent photos of his visio n. Start with letting your imagination go wild. Wh at fun making a menagerie of animals, fairies, and char acte fro my granddaughter’ s fav ite books! www.handylittleme.com/mini-crochet-pumpkins-free-pattern Hope these bring a little joy and whim- sy while we await spring and better days.