Cozy Christmas Cottage Planters

If you’ve been on my Instagram in the past year you know I’m obsessed with my Cozy Cottage planters. My collection of cottages continues to grow, and I’m so excited to add these little gingerbread houses to the mix!

Since I released the pattern for my Cozy Cottage planters earlier this year, I’ve made cottages for all seasons!

Winter:

SpringSummer:

Fall:

But from the beginning I had these gingerbread cottages planned for Christmas! My inspiration for these planters was partially the ceramic village I put up on my mantle for the holidays, and these fit right in!

This post serves as a supplement to my Cozy Cottage Planter pattern and will go over the changes and additions I made for the gingerbread version. So, before you continue reading, go grab the pattern here, then come back and create your own cozy gingerbread cottages for your tiny trees (real or fake!).

Yarn used (per cottage):

-45 yards of super bulky yarn in your brown shade of choice (pictured is Loops & Threads Cozy Wool in Chocolate)

-a few yards of super bulky yarn in white (pictured is Loops & Threads Lush Alpaca in White)

-a few yards of super bulky yarn in red (pictured is Loops & Threads Cozy Wool in Claret)

-a few yards of another color, like green (pictured is Buttercream Alpaca in Green)

I used a 6 mm hook for both the cottage and the wreath additions.

Changes to pattern:

No changes are made until you finish the main body and are ready to move onto the roof. Your brown yarn will be Color A, and then you can choose which colors to make your details with.

Change to the roof section: Instead of detaching Color A and continuing with Color B, detach and continue the roof section with Color A (brown) per the pattern. Instead of crocheting around the edges of the roof and sides with the brown yarn, detach and complete the second side of the roof up to the edging. Detach brown yarn and attach white yarn to a corner next to a roof side. Single crochet evenly around the roof sides and the cottage sides, then tie off and weave in all ends. Move onto wreaths and details below.

“Icing” on the top of the front window and door:

Using your white yarn, thread a sewing needle and whip stitch along the top of the door and window, keeping the stitches loose and fluffy. Add a doorknob if desired.

Wreath directions:

Using a color other than brown, make two wreaths for each cottage.

Circle Wreath:

Using super bulky yarn and a 6mm hook, chain 6. Slip stitch to 1st chain to create a ring. Chain 1 and make 14 single crochets inside the chain ring. Slip stitch to the first single crochet and leave a medium length tail. Attach a short strand of red yarn and tie a bow. Attach the wreath to the top of a roof side using the two tails.

Heart Wreath:

Using super bulky yarn and a 6 mm hook, make a magic circle. Into the MC, CH 2, 2 DC, 3 HDC, CH 1, DC, CH 1, 3 HDC, 2 DC, CH 2. Pull magic circle partially closed and slip stitch into the center. Tighten MC and attach wreath to the second roof side using the two tails.

I hope you love your gingerbread cottages as much as I love mine! If you need the link to the pattern, it’s here. And if you make your own cottages, please share them on Instagram with the hashtag #cozycottageplanters and tag me @Februaryskydesigns. Happy Holidays!

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The Golden Hour Pumpkins

As soon as Labor Day passes I’m officially in Fall mode (and let’s be honest, sometimes it hits before then!). I love decorating my space with cozy fall decor, and I’m always looking for cute pumpkin patterns to add to my collection. Well, this year I thought it was high time I made a pumpkin pattern of my own! Thus, the Golden Hour Pumpkins were born.

These pumpkins use the same stitch as my Golden Hour throw, so if you enjoy this quickie project head over and check out your next cozy blanket!

All you need is about 45 yards of your favorite bulky yarn (I used an assortment of Eco Cozy colors from Michaels) and a size L hook. But, of course, these pumpkins can be made using any yarn! The sizes will vary, but that’s part of the fun of making your own little pumpkin collection.

Let’s get started!

GOLDEN HOUR PUMPKINS CROCHET PATTERN

Stitch abbreviations:

-Chain- (CH)

-Single Crochet- (SC)

-Half Double Crochet- (HDC)

-Stitch(es)- (ST(s))

Materials:

  • 45 yards of any level 5 Bulky yarn (pictured is Eco Cozy by Loops & Threads from Michaels)
  • Size L/11 8mm crochet hook
  • Large eye sewing needle
  • Scissors
  • Poly-fil stuffing
  • Cinnamon stick for the stem

Gauge:

4×4” = 9 rows x 11 stitches

Notes:

  • The chains at the beginning of each row do not count as stitches.
  • The SC rows are done in the third loop of the HDC’s. This loop is behind the top two loops of the HDC, and will be the loop closest to you on the wrong side of the pumpkins..
  • Adjust the size to your liking! Any length chain can be used to start, and the two row repeat can be added to or subtracted from as needed!

PATTERN:

CH 13.

Row 1: HDC in the 2nd CH from the hook and in each CH across. (12 STs)

R2: Ch 1. SC in the 3rd back loop of each HDC (see notes). (12 STs)

R3: CH 1. HDC in each SC across. (12 STs)

R4-24: Repeat rows 2 and 3 for 24 rows total. Do not fasten off.

With wrong side up, bring beginning CH and final SC edges together. Surface crochet the sides together, working through both loops of the SC’s. Fasten off yarn, leaving a long tail (at least 12 inches).

Using a large eye sewing needle, whip stitch along the edge in the raised HDC stitches. Pull tight to close and work around the hole a couple times to secure.

Thread the needle through the center and pull through. Add Poly-fil stuffing around the tail, making sure not to fill too much so that it shows through the fabric.

Once the pumpkin is filled, whip stitch around the edge. Pull to close, but leave a small hole in the center. Work around the hole a couple more times to secure and fasten off.

Cut a cinnamon stick in half and hot glue it into the hole on the top of the pumpkin.

Final measurements:

Before sewing: 4 1/2 x 11”

Finished pumpkin: 2 1/2” tall, 5” across

I hope you enjoy this pumpkin pattern and add your own cozy decorations to your home to celebrate this wonderful season! If you make some and share to Instagram make sure to tag me and use the hashtag #goldenhourpumpkins so I can see your beautiful creations!

This is an original pattern by Christina of February Sky Designs.  Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to it but please do not reprint it on your site or sell it. 

You may sell products made from this pattern but please clearly credit the design to me, Christina of February Sky Designs, and link to my blog februaryskydesigns.com. Thank you for respecting creators and their work!

The Big Bauble Tree Skirt

Last year I published my popular Mini Bauble Tree Skirt pattern, and this year I had a lot of requests for a full-size version! I’m thrilled to introduce your perfect squishy tree accessory, the Big Bauble Tree Skirt! This crochet pattern uses simple stitches, fun bobbles, and optional pom-poms to make a big and cozy skirt that adds texture and warmth under your tree!

I’ve created a Bauble Tree Skirt Collection, which includes the patterns for the Mini and Big Bauble tree skirts in one beautifully formatted, add-free PDF! Grab it here.

It’ll even be a favorite for your furry friends!

The pattern alternates rows of double crochet, single crochet, and single crochet with bobbles. Each row increases by 6 stitches, making a circular skirt. I opted not to tie the back together, but you can definitely add ties if you want to keep your skirt secure around the tree!

Rows 1-4 are shown below:

Without further ado, let’s get to the pattern!

THE BIG BAUBLE TREE SKIRT PATTERN

For the low-cost, ad-free PDF of this pattern (which includes the Mini Bauble skirt pattern!), click here.

What you’ll need:

  • 11.5/12 mm P/15 crochet hook
  • 630 yards of Super Bulky (Level 6) yarn (pictured is Lionbrand Wool Ease Thick and Quick in Fisherman, 6 balls)
  • Scissors
  • Optional- stitch markers
  • Optional- 1 skein of contrasting color super bulky yarn for the pom-poms
  • Optional- Pom-pom maker

Stitch abbreviations:

-Chain (CH)

-Single Crochet (SC)

-Double Crochet (DC)

-Bobble (B)

-Increase (INC)

-Bobble Increase (BInc)

Final measurements:

45” (114 cm) diameter, 20” (51 cm) from center edge to outer edge

Notes:

-There are three size options written out for this pattern, which are all for a large (4.5-9 foot) tree. If you are looking for a skirt for a mini tree (2-3 feet), then check out my Mini Bauble Tree Skirt pattern here.

  • Size Options:
    • For a smaller skirt, about 34.5” diameter, stop after row 21. This uses about 4 balls of Wool Ease Thick and Quick.
    • For the skirt pictured, continue to row 27.
    • For a bigger skirt, 4 additional rows are written out (rows 28 to 31), about 50” diameter.

-The chains at the beginning of the rows do not count as stitches.

-For rows 16 and 24, the increase stitches count as stitches in the bobble spacing. For all other bobble rows, the increases do not get included in the spacing count.

-An increase (INC) is two stitches made in the same stitch, increasing the row count. Each row increases by 6 stitches. The bobble increases (BInc) mean to make a bobble and a single crochet in the same stitch. The single crochet always comes before the bobble except in row 24, when it needs to come after to keep the spacing correct.

-The last increase in each bobble row is a single crochet increase (two SC in the last ST).

Special Stitches:

– Bobble: Yarn over (YO), insert hook into stitch, YO and pull up a loop. YO, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). YO, insert hook into same stitch, YO, pull up a loop. YO, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook). YO, insert hook into same stitch, YO, pull up a loop. YO, pull through 2 loops. YO, pull through remaining 4 loops on hook.

PATTERN:

CH 38.

Row 1: DC in the 2nd CH from the hook and in each CH across. (36)

R2: CH 1. SC 5, INC. Repeat to end. (42)

R3: CH 2. DC 3, INC, *DC 6, INC*. Repeat from * to *, end with DC 3. (48)

R4: CH 1. *SC 7, BInc*. Repeat from * to *, end with SC INC. (54)

R5: CH 2. DC 4, INC, *DC 8, INC*. Repeat from * to *, end with DC 4. (60)

R6: CH 1. SC 9, INC. Repeat to end. (66)

R7: CH 2. DC 5, INC, *DC 10, INC*. Repeat from * to *, end with DC 5. (72)

R8: CH 1. *SC 5, B, SC 5, BInc*. Repeat from * to *, end with SC INC. (78)

R9: CH 2. DC 6, INC, *DC 12, INC*. Repeat from * to *, end with DC 6. (84)

R10: CH 1. SC 13, INC. Repeat to end. (90)

R11: CH 2. DC 7, INC, *DC 14, INC*. Repeat from * to *, end with DC 7. (96)

R12: CH 1. *SC 7, B, SC 7, BInc*. Repeat from *to *, end with SC INC. (102)

R13: CH 2. DC 8, INC, *DC 16, INC*. Repeat from * to *, end with DC 8. (108)

R14: CH 1. SC 17, INC. Repeat to end. (114)

R15: CH 2. DC 9, INC, *DC 18, INC*. Repeat from * to *, end with DC 9. (120)

R16: CH 1. *SC 5, B, SC 5, B, SC 5, B, SC, INC, SC 2, B, SC 5, B, SC 5, B, SC 4, INCBobble*. Repeat from * to * two more times, end with SC INC. (126)

R17: CH 2. DC 10, INC, *DC 20, INC*. Repeat from * to *, end with DC 10. (132)

R18: CH 1. SC 21, INC. Repeat to end. (138)

R19: CH 2. DC 11, INC, *DC 22, INC*. Repeat from * to *, end with DC 11. (144)

R20: CH 1. *SC 7, B, SC 7, B, SC 7, BInc*. Repeat from * to *, end with SC INC. (150)

R21: CH 2. DC 12, INC, *DC 24, INC*. Repeat from * to *, end with DC 12. (156)

R22: CH 1. SC 25, INC. Repeat to end. (162)

R23: CH 2. DC 13, INC, *DC 26, INC). Repeat from * to *, end with DC 13. (168)

R24: CH 1. SC 5, B, SC 5, B, SC 5, B, SC 5, B, SC 3, INC, B, SC 5, B, SC 5, B, SC 5, B, SC 5, B, SC 2, INC, SC, B, SC 5, B, SC 5, B, SC 5, B, SC 5, B, SC, INC, SC 2, B, SC 5, B, SC 5, B, SC 5, B, SC 5, B, INC, SC 3, B, SC 5, B, SC 5, B, SC 5, B, SC 5, BInc, SC 4, B, SC 5, B, SC 5, B, SC5, B, SC 4, INC. (174)

R25: CH 2. DC 14, INC, *DC 28, INC*. Repeat from * to *, end with DC 14. (180)

R26: CH 1. SC 29, INC. Repeat to end. (186)

R27: CH 2. DC 15, INC, *DC 30, INC*. Repeat from * to *, end with DC 15. (192)

Extra large size (50”):

R28: CH 1. SC 7, B, SC 7, B, SC 7, B, SC 7, BInc. Repeat sequence, end with SC INC. (198)

R29: CH 2. DC 16, INC, *DC 32, INC*. Repeat from * to *, end with DC 16. (204)

R30: CH 1. SC 33, INC. Repeat to end. (210)

R31: CH 2. DC 17, INC, *DC 34, INC*. Repeat from * to *, end with DC 17. (216)

From here you can add optional pom-poms for some color and extra bauble-goodness. For my skirt I made 16 3″ poms and attached them about 7.5″ apart around the edge of the skirt.

I hope you enjoy making the Big Bauble Tree Skirt, and if you do please tag me on Instagram! I love to see and share your work! Merry Christmas!

This is an original pattern by Christina of February Sky Designs.  Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to it but please do not reprint it on your site or sell it.

You may sell products made from this pattern but please clearly credit the design to me, Christina of February Sky Designs, and link to my blog februaryskydesigns.com. Thank you for respecting creators and their work!

Rustic Winter Engagement Party

Rachel and Hugh's Engagement Party Collage

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life -Confucius (smart guy)

I feel this is never more true for me than when I’m working on decorations for a loved one. One of my best friends since we were 13 recently got engaged to her beau and her mom wanted to throw her an engagement party right after Christmas while friends and family were in town for the holidays. This made a very busy month for me between Christmas shopping and working on decorations, but I loved every minute of it.

I wanted a winter theme that would tie in the Christmas decorations that would still be around the house for the party. I went with a winter woodland theme with birch trees and pops of red and turquoise.

These beautiful invitations were ordered from Oh Happiness Cards on Etsy. Everyone loved the back detail!

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I purchased these awesome birch tree straws for the mimosas at the party, simply displayed in mason jars with ribbon.

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Speaking of mason jars, I also used them as accents around the house filled with cranberries and floating candles.

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Along with mimosas, we also served coffee and tea, so I made custom hot cup sleeve covers with a birch tree stamp and the couple’s initials.

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I love the way covering cups and bottles with printed paper makes them that much more special. I created little custom labels for the champagne bottles that made them really stand out.

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I decorated the drink table with a painted burlap banner.

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And I added a little festivity to the doorway with simple paper cones strung between the dining room and living room

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Something I don’t usually tackle for parties (except those I host) is desserts. For this party I actually made two desserts- a cake and sugar cookies.

First the cake: chocolate with vanilla icing, decorated with cranberries and rosemary

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With a custom burlap cake topper!

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The cookies are of Vermont, with a little sprinkle heart on Burlington where Rachel and Hugh met and fell in love.

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(These gave me a very hard time. I wished I could teleport Clara to help me!)

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Thankfully, the cake went easy on me.

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Love the birch round I found at Michaels to use as a cake stand!

Lastly, I painted a sign for the couple that sums up the feeling going into the new year and celebrating their lives together.

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Love you guys!

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DIY Holiday Wreath!

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My idea of the perfect wreath is one that is beautiful and is neutral enough to be hung throughout the holidays and well into the cold, holidayless months of winter. Of course, the wreath could be tweaked to be more holiday-specific if that suits your fancy!

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I had a few materials lying around (as usual), so I used the leaves and feathers left over from my dreamcatcher, and I gave the berries from the baby shower a little makeover using white paint and gold glitter.

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I made the bow from some burlap ribbon, but you could also buy one while you’re at the store gathering other supplies (although I think it’s usually cheaper to make your own, and it’s not that difficult if you cheat and use glue to make the ribbon look perfect!).

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The flowers I made are a little strange since they are made out of pistachio shells, but clearly I am not the only person who looks at a pile of shells and thinks they should be refurbished into craft supplies.

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Alright, time to start gluing! I knew I wanted my wreath to be free form and asymmetrical, but to give myself a little guidance I started by placing the berries around the wreath and attaching the bow.

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Pause to yell and curse when I burn my finger on the glue gun. Crafting is dangerous business.

And we’re back. I glued the largest items first, eying where they looked best to me. No rhyme or reason, just going with the flow.

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Here you can see the mess I was making of my work area. Crafting is also messy business 🙂

Once I had the big pieces attached I went back in and stuck leaves and feathers wherever there were holes, working my way along the left side and tapering off at the top to achieve the asymmetry I was looking for.

Done!

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The finished wreath, ready to hang on the door!

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I hope you are inspired to create your own wreath to brighten up your door for months and years to come. Happy holidays!

Rustic Baby Shower for a Little Lady

Becky Collage

I recently made decorations for a party that I could not attend, as I did with Erin’s Graduation. This time, it was for a baby shower being held at the home of the grandparents-to-be. The parents, Becky and Zack, would both be attending, so although they are having a little girl I knew I didn’t want to make the decorations overly feminine. I chose a rustic floral theme for the couple, who I know love nature and the outdoors.

Because all the decorations needed to be portable and easily set up, I went with a lot of light-weight items that would make a big impact.

(Note- Pictures courtesy of my friend CC)

Congratulations banner made from burlap and painted letters.

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(My favorite item!) A mobile wrapped with juniper berries and hung with origami paper leaves.

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Wishes for Baby cards made with card stock and ribbon. The little leaf photo album is great to hold the cards once the guests write their messages!

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I made these bottle wraps using burlap, ribbon and the juniper berries from the mobile. They are tied to the bottle with ribbon!

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And, finally, some cheerful tassel garland made with tissue paper. (I spy a picture of little Luna love!)

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Congratulations to the parents-to-be!