As the days grew shorter and the ambient indoor lighting bathed the cozy living room in a warm glow as early as 3:30 pm, the traditional Christmas vibes enveloped the house. It was a time when the northern hemisphere embraced the magic of the season, and for one family, it was a time of cherished memories and enduring traditions.
Shop the Black Friday Discounted Yarn Kits
.
.
.
In a modest home, funds were tight, but the spirit of Christmas was rich. The anticipation of the holiday season began with a visit to Santa, where children could only ask for one thing, a rule set by parents who understood the value of modest wishes. Under the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree, a young child lay, staring at the burning hot lights and imagining the wonders that Christmas morning would bring.
Before bedtime, Dad would read 'The Night Before Christmas,' a timeless tale that added to the enchantment of the season. The stockings mysteriously appeared on the children's beds in the wee hours of the morning, filled with surprises that created chaos and joy in equal measure. Fruit, an inexplicable addition, became a quirky yet endearing part of the Christmas morning ritual.
For the siblings, Christmas brought toys that required two players, often in red and blue sets, sparking playful battles over who would claim the coveted blue version. As the child grew older, wisdom prevailed, and red became the chosen colour, a decision prompted by the realization that colour had no gender.
One Christmas, however, stood out among the rest. The living room transformed into a magical scene, with three red magic carpets adorned with fiery prints laid out like a carpet in front of the tree. It was a moment of pure enchantment, etched into the child's memory.
In school, the iconic red, green, and white palette of Christmas was taught, but the child's eyes were drawn to the darker, warmer, and cozier hues found under the Christmas lights. The colours of Red Heart With Love yarn were carefully selected to capture the essence of the childhood Christmas magic, inspired by a blend of English and European traditions.
As the child grew into adulthood and moved away from home, Christmas traditions shifted. Yarnspirations, reaching out in September, provided an opportunity to bring back the warmth and nostalgia of Christmas. The Red Heart With Love yarn, chosen for its premium quality, became a vessel for the true essence of the season.
Now, as the adult embarks on a Christmas adventure along the Rhine River with Daniel, the culmination of three years of planning, the spirit of Christmas is not lost. The AmaSiena riverboat, decked out for the season, becomes their home for a week of holiday magic. Along the journey, a curated list of 15 free patterns awaits each one a reflection of the traditional winter vibes and the true essence of Christmas.
In this box of yarns and colors, the adult hopes to share the Christmas feelings that have lingered since childhood, a blend of family traditions, winter magic, and the timeless spirit of the season. As the riverboat glides through the European landscapes, the yarn becomes a vessel for creativity, warmth, and the enduring joy of Christmas.
15 Free Patterns with Christmas Vibes
Click each picture to go to where the pattern lives and begin. Some have free tutorials. You may need to get two boxes to fulfil the yarn requirements.
Shop the Black Friday Discounted Yarn Kits
.
.
.
Home for the Holidays Christmas Blanket has a three-dimensional wreath on the face of each octagon motif. Colour your way and tell your own story. Free tutorial included.
Woodland Crochet Afghan is the next up showcasing the woods in their fall and wintering of the evergreens, birch trees and brow and gray colouring. A tutorial is included to help you out.
The Snowflake Crochet Throw was just filmed in fall 2023. You can change up the colouring to make it even more special to you. Free tutorials are included with this Stitch Along.
Designed by Jeanne Steinhilber is the Crochet Christmas Trimmings Blanket. With hints of garland and iconic Christmas colouring.
The Gingerbread Crochet Round Afghan can be a Christmas Tree Skirt with the hole in the middle of it or made into a throw and fill in the hole. There is a free tutorial available for this blanket.
Wendy suggested the Crochet Fall Lacy Throw but using colours that are more inline for what you are wishes are. It's stunning in detail.
Home for the Holidays at Crochet Grannies House Blanket. Iconic granny stitch in rows and coloured in a way that feels like a warm Christmas hug.
Maybe it's the baby's first Christmas at home. Use this sampler to colour it with the fun elements of the holidays. This is the Sweet Pink Crochet Baby Blanket.
The 50's are back with this vintage feel diamonds and surface overlay. This is the Crochet Diamonds Blanket.
The Tester's Delight Crochet Blanket is new as Fall 2023. Let the pattern showcase it's beauty with texture. Colour the blanket your way.
The Study of Rage Crochet Blanket is round and can be coloured in your way that you see fit. Amazing texture and easy to follow design.
The stitch work goes up and down with this festive Crochet Holiday Chevron Throw. A tutorial is available.
The Holiday Crochet Sampler Blanket is sweet in design. Free tutorial is available to help you out.
Peppermint is always in fashion for the holidays. The Crochet Peppermint Afghan is available to see you through the season. A full tutorial is ready to help you. If you love the pattern and want the tutorial for the pillow, you can get it here at Crochet Peppermint Pillow.
Timeless is the Crochet Striped Holiday Throw. The pattern colours appear random, but there is a strategy. I was captivated by the border for this one. There is a free tutorial to help you.
Ellie says
Hi! Your childhood memories is similar to most children living in a Christian family - find and put up a tree, decorate it, pool pennies together to buy parents gifts and wait for Christmas Eve when one present can be opened. Next morning waiting for parents' permission to race downstairs to see the lit up tree, find one's stocking full of fruit (a harking back to British traditions) open presents, go to church, then back home for dinner. Ah, too full!
Now to check out the yarn kits.