By The Chimney preview, plus materials needed

Here’s a PREVIEW of upcoming pattern By The Chimney, the 6th in my ‘Twas The Night ornaments. After a bagful of rejects, this is the final stocking design and stuffer selection. I’m busy working to make samples and I have begun to write the pattern, but there’s a long row to hoe before it’s in the shop. I just wanted to update you with the progress! Yay progress!

Details, details: YES, of course the gift box opens so you can hide a tiny present, coins, or note in it, if you like. YES, the book contains the full text of the poem along with a book plate to add a name. I would love to shoot a reel to show you the details soon, but the light this weekend is really dismal. Another day.

SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
This is not a beginner’s project! If you have completed my Twelve Days series or completed other ornaments in my intermediate series, you are ready.

MATERIALS NEEDED:
If you plan to make this pattern after it releases, you can gather some items to prep. As usual, a printer is needed, and toner rather than ink will give a better result. Of course the lovely Benzie Design ‘Twas The Night Classic or Retro wool felt palettes, Sulky Stick ‘n Stitch, DMC flosses/threads, sequins, seed beads, 3 mm cotton pipe cleaners, stuffing, Tacky Glue, and a 20 mm wood bead. All the usual suspects common to my patterns.

Besides the usual stuff, you’ll also need two 6 mm wood beads for the doll hands (8 mm is too big), two mini jingle bells for the stocking, scraps of colored card stock for the book cover and gift box, and one sheet of 24-28 lb printer paper for the book pages (think slightly heavier/nicer than cheap 20 lb laser paper). The candy cane is made with one cotton pipe cleaner and one 3 mm mini chenille stem, but if you can’t find mini chenille stems you can use yarn, or hand dye a cotton pipe cleaner with permanent marker. You’ll also need a small scrap of Peltex or white stiffened craft felt for the back of the lolly, and a scrap of brown stiffened craft felt for the back of the gingerbread cookie. An Xacto knife, ruler, and small, sharp scissors are key for making the book and the gift box.

There are more stuffer options included in the pattern than will fit in the stocking so you can customize for your recipient! For each stocking, choose either the doll or teddy, then choose either the book or the gift box. After that, fill in the chinks with the lolly, cookie, and candy cane.

OK! Back to work for me!