Category: Hygge Gifts

HYGGE AND KNITTING, TWO WORDS THAT BELONG TOGETHER…

Knitting and Hygge are two words that belong together simply implying what Hygge is all about. As Meik Wiking – CEO of The Happiness Research Institute has said, “Hygge has been translated as everything from the art of creating intimacy to cosiness of the soul to taking pleasure from the presence of soothing things.”

 

If you haven’t learnt how to knit before then now is the time to do so. Knitting is back in fashion from knitting simple tea cosies to bed throws and even recycling old sweaters into new ones.

The web has an abundance of sites with some giving tutorials on how to knit and others giving you a choice of many free patterns to start your knitting.

Once we come out of lockdown I am sure the ever popular knitting groups will thrive again. A very popular one is called Stitch and Bitch and there is also a great book from Amazon at £10.99 Stitch ‘n Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook – The Stitch ‘n Bitch Handbook by Debbie Stoller covers every aspect of knitting and the knitting-together lifestyle: the how-to, the when-to, the what-to and why-to. Writing with wit and attitude, Debbie Stoller explains why young women are taking up knitting in droves and covers everything you need to know to get your knit on – from the tools of the trade to casting on and binding off to getting fancy – all with step-by-step illustrated techniques. Then it’s time to pick up the sticks: at the heart of this book are forty stylish patterns that are as hip to wear as they are to knit, as good for beginners as they are for purly pros.

Another popular one is UK Hand Knitting where you all meet for a natter while knitting your favourite jumper. Just click on your area on their map to find your nearest group. Some great sites for knitters include The Daily Knitter where you can find lots of Free patterns and  Knitting Help which has free tutorial videos to help you knit.

According to Wikipedia, Knitting is a method by which thread or yarn may be turned into cloth or other fine crafts. Knitted fabric consists of consecutive rows of loops, called stitches. As each row progresses, a new loop is pulled through an existing loop. The active stitches are held on a needle until another loop can be passed through them. This process eventually results in a final product, often a garment.

Knitting may be done by hand or by machine. There exist numerous styles and methods of hand knitting.

Different yarns and knitting needles may be used to achieve different end products by giving the final piece a different colour, texture, weight, and/or integrity. Using needles of varying shape and thickness as well as different varieties of yarn can also change the effect.

Yarnspirations sell Hygge yarn which is extremely soft and drapey, despite its quick-to-stitch bulky size. The base yarn is twisted with a fur end, which adds a lovely texture that is wonderful to work with, and snuggle up in! This gorgeous braided cable knit throw comes with a free knitting pattern. Just head to Yarnspirations website.

The Independant wrote that “There is an enormous amount of research showing that knitting has physical and mental health benefits, that it slows the onset of dementia, combats depression and distracts from chronic pain.” “In addition to its calming effects, knitting a quilt or a pair of mittens can distract from chronic pain – as focus is turned elsewhere. And the repetitive movements required to create a pattern release calming serotonin, which can lift moods and dull pain, according to the findings.”

A brilliant book if you are new to knitting is ‘The Complete Beginners Guide to Knitting: Everything you need to know to start to knit’, by Sian Brown, Lou Butt, and Janine le Cras on Amazon for £10 From lavish fashion trends to homemade gifts, add a hand-crafted touch to your garments, gifts and decorations. Start by choosing your yarn and needles before getting to grips with casting on, knitting, purling, ribbing and casting off again. Once you’ve mastered the essentials, you’ll put your newfound skills into practice with a range of creative project patterns that are perfect for newbie knitters. Get all the essential tools and materials before mastering simple stitches, Easy to follow patterns . Add a professional finish to your projects with pockets, hems, buttons and more. Refine your knitting skills while creating great gifts, garments and decorations. So pick up your needles today, and you’ll be an expert in no time at all!

TEN USES FOR COFFEE OTHER THAN FOR DRINKING…


We all love our coffee but why not use it in your home and outside for other uses as well as drinking it.

1. Mix ½ cup of used coffee grounds with 2 tablespoons of olive oil or coconut oil. Massage all over body while standing in the shower. Leave on for 10 minutes before showering. This mixture will exfoliate your skin and may also help to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

2. Pour used coffee grounds down the sink or bathtub drain, followed by 3 drops of dish soap and a pot of boiling water. This will clean and clear the drain of clogs and built up grease.

3. Mix a teaspoon of used coffee grounds into your facial mask. It will exfoliate the skin and the caffeine will smooth and tighten.

4. If you have a garden, used coffee grounds are great to use as a fertilisers. If you do not have an immediate need for fertilizer, you can compost your coffee grounds for later use.

5. Sprinkle used coffee grounds around plants to keep ants away.

6. Put used coffee grounds in a bowl in the freezer to remove funky odours.

7. Fleas are a common problem in household pets, and treating them can be costly and time-consuming. But fleas don’t like coffee so simply rub the grounds throughout your pet’s fur after shampooing. Then rinse them off and allow your pet to dry as usual.

8.  After chopping fresh garlic, rub your hands with used coffee grounds to get the garlicky smell off your fingers.

9. You can use coffee grounds to scour your pots and pans. Their abrasive texture helps scrape away caked-on food.

10. Use coffee grounds to weigh down the ashes in your fireplace before cleaning. This makes for easier ash removal and less mess.

Source: Real Advice Gal, Healthline

TOP 14 HOBBIES WE CAN ENJOY IN OUR HYGGE HOMES…

Hobbies, they say are extremely good for your health and with most of us still in lockdown the ideal hobbies have to be something we can do from home.

I love my hobbies which apart from blogging include crafting (mainly cards) knitting, sewing, painting, cross-stitch and baking. I feel sure had I not had these to fall back on over the last twelve months I would have felt extremely low.

Some ideas for hobbies from home include –

  1. Art – My children bought me an adult paint by numbers art piece for Christmas. I absolutely love it and will feel very chuffed when it’s finished as it’s one I would have hung up in my home.
  2. Drawing – there are lots and lots of sites online and on Pinterest to learn how to drawer.
  3. Singing – with choirs popping up online all over the country it is easy to join one and enjoy a bit of singing.
  4. Writing – well I love writing and write on three blogs. My main blog is health related about back pain which I have suffered from for over 30 years, I also have an afternoon tea blog and this hygge blog. I find it takes me away to another place when I start writing. It’s very therapeutic.
  5. Scrapbooking– I looked into this and I think when I have finished all my other projects I will give this a go. There are lots of books on Amazon on how to get started with this which is something you can pass down to your family when you have finished it.
  6. Hand made cards – I have been making hand made cards for a number of years now and used to have them in a local post office but I just do them for family and friends now, but I have sent a fair few out to cheer my friends up over lockdown. I mean who doesn’t like receiving a nice card through the letter box?
  7. Knitting – another of my favourite pass time. I am a very average knitter but I can find lots of things to make including a granny blanket I made from all my bits of wool which I use outside to keep me warm.
  8. Cross stitch – this is a new hobby for me and another present from my children for Christmas which I asked for. It has become one of my favourite things to do at the moment.
  9. Baking – with a mass of lessons, recipes, and so much more on baking it’s a hobby for anyone who loves to cook. I love baking for my family and bake weekly for them. They get very excited when I say ‘Bars Bakes’ is doing a delivery today.
  10. Photography – with lots more of us taking long walks in the countryside its an ideal hobby. At this time of year and with spring around the corner there are some lovely photos to take outside using just your phone until you want something a bit more substantial to take the photos with and like most of the above there are endless amounts of free help online.
  11. Making candles, making soap, making jewellery – all these types of crafts can be done from you home and could even bring in some extra pennies if you go onto sell them. Pinterest will inspire anyone with pages and pages of posts and ideas on all these types of craft.
  12. Calligraphy – an art which is coming back into fashion again and a lovely hobby to start and learn from home and then maybe progress to a class once lock down is finished.
  13. Reading and reviewing – whatever you buy nowadays they ask for a review on it but the most rewarding review is one that someone has written about a book you would like to read. You can start by writing them on Amazon and if you enjoy it you could always start a blog on book reviews.
  14. Gardening – now the spring is nearly here you can start planting your own vegetables and herbs. Lots and lots of people enjoy gardening and is a great hobby for anyone who loves to be outside.

There are many more hobbies you can start from home, these are just the top 14 but if you haven’t got a hobby or want another one then try any of these as they will definitely improve your health and wellbeing.