Five Last-Minute Gift Ideas: Collab With Diamond!

Hello, and welcome back to Books and Hooks! I hope that your week is off to a good start. ☺

This post is a collaboration with Diamond from “I Have 12% of a Plan”! She reached out to me last month, asking if I wanted to do a collab with this amazing idea, and I gladly agreed. I would really recommend checking out her blog, and her five last-minute gift ideas for this holiday season!

With Christmas quickly approaching this weekend, some people may be hurrying to finish making and buying gifts for their friends and family members. I know what it’s like…hurrying to come up with gift ideas, finishing up and wrapping the gifts just days before Christmas comes. For that reason, today’s post is a list of five last-minute gifts, featuring four handmade/homemade gifts made from things many people have around their house, along with one store-bought gift idea!

I couldn’t choose between this image and the one above, so I decided to incorporate them both! Which is your favorite?

1: Baking mix

Is there someone who loves baking in your life? Why not gift them a homemade baking mix? If you have some basic ingredients, you will be able to make a lovely, thoughtful gift that the recipient will enjoy baking! What’s even better? Your homemade baking mix will look great in a jar, maybe with a festive ribbon tied on the top!

To make a baking mix, just layer all of the dry ingredients from a certain recipe into a jar, so that the person receiving this gift will be able to add the other ingredients and quickly whip up a delicious treat! Be sure to give them the baking instructions! Here are four different cake mixes that look amazing, and there are also many recipes online for all types of cakes, brownies, and cookies that you can find online!

2: Decorated mug

I know I’m not the only one who loves receiving personalized gifts, and I’m not the only one who loves warm drinks, such as coffee and tea. This gift idea incorporates the two: personalized decorated mugs! Decorating mugs is a really fun thing to do, and it’s something that many people will appreciate being gifted with.

All you need is a plain cup (white works best with darker markers) and some oil-based sharpies. To decorate your mug, you will draw/write your design on your clean mug, and then bake it in the oven for a little while to set the ink. Here is a helpful, detailed post with full instructions.

3: Playdough

Is there a child who you are trying to make a gift for? I don’t know about you, but playdough was always a super fun gift when I was a kid. I recently learned that homemade playdough is very easy to make at home, as well. It is made with some very basic kitchen ingredients. Check here for a detailed recipe!

4: Bookmark

Any reader knows how difficult it is to keep track of bookmarks. It seems like they just go missing out of nowhere! That’s why this is an amazing gift idea, perfect for any reader. Here are eight different ways to make bookmarks! You can check out that post, and make whatever ones you have the materials for!

5: Kits/sets

Do you have time to run to a store before Christmas? Maybe you are just going to the Dollar Tree, but you want to buy something meaningful for a person you love. One good gift idea is a gift set/kit. Are you trying to come up with a gift for your friend who has a specific hobby? Maybe they like art or baking?

For example, several years back, I was at Dollar Tree and still hadn’t bought something for one of my friends. I was contemplating what to buy when my mom had a good idea to buy things to make an art/school set. I bought a pencil pouch, some pencils and pens, colorful markers, cute erasers, and some glitter glue.

If your friend likes to bake, maybe buy some cake mix, cute muffin papers, a potholder…there are a lot of directions this can go. Some ideas are a baking set, an art set, a spa set, or anything related to their hobbies or interests.

That’s it for this post! I hope you enjoyed it and got some good ideas for gifts for your friends and family! Do you procrastinate when getting gifts? Were these helpful? Do you have any more last-minute gift ideas? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Again, be sure to check out Diamond’s blog, and her post with five more last-minute gift ideas. I hope everyone has an amazing week. Bye for now!

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How to Start Crocheting: A Collab With BetsyJane

Welcome back to Books and Hooks! I hope you guys had a good weekend and are having a good start to your week! 😊

So, a little while ago, I asked BetsyJane if she wanted to do a collab post with me, and she said yes! I would definitely recommend checking out her blog, poppyseeds! She has some amazing posts! Make sure to go check out her collab post as well! It’s about how to start knitting!

In today’s blog post, I’ll go through how to start crocheting, from buying materials to finding easy beginner patterns online! If you’ve been wanting to start crocheting but didn’t know where to start, this is the post for you!

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Gathering materials

Photo by Kumo Knits on Pexels.com

Buying materials for crocheting is a very simple thing. All you really need is yarn and a crochet hook. However, with that being said, there are still a few things to look into when picking out your materials. Let’s talk a little bit about it!

Yarn

Color:

• Avoid darkly colored yarns. While using black and dark yarns, it can be hard to see your stitches, which can be frustrating for beginners.
• Using white yarns can also be frustrating to use for the same reason.
• I recommend using a light/medium-colored yarn, such as light blue or green. Something that is easy to see.

Weight:

• On the yarn label, it should say the weight number, which corresponds to how thick the yarn is. (Picture below.)
• #0 weight is very thin, while #6 is very thick.
• Each number has a different name (#0 is often called lace yarn, #1 is often called fingering yarn, #2 is often called fingering yarn, #3 is often called sport or DK yarn, #4 is often called worsted yarn, #5 is often called chunky or bulky yarn, #6 is often called super bulky yarn)
• I would recommend a #4 weight yarn (worsted weight yarn), which is of medium thickness. This is usually the easiest for beginners to use because it’s not too thin or thick.

Fiber:

• Three of the most common yarn fibers for crocheters are acrylic, wool, and cotton.
• Acrylic yarn is a popular choice because it is widely available, inexpensive, and can come in a wide variety of colors. Some acrylic yarns do split, however, this is pretty uncommon.
• Wool yarn is another good choice! It is very forgiving, so if you mess up on a stitch or make a mistake (which is bound to happen when you’re learning to crochet) wool is usually very easy to unravel and re-use. One thing to be aware of is that some people may be allergic to wool.
• Because cotton yarn is not as elastic as wool or acrylic, it is a slightly less popular choice for beginners. However, if it’s summer, cotton is cooler and more breathable, and it is a good choice for those warmer months. It also really depends on what project you are working on.
• Even though they can look really pretty, I would recommend avoiding fluffy yarns or novelty yarns at first, because the stitches are extremely hard to see when working with those yarns.
• To review, I would recommend smooth cotton, acrylic, or wool yarn, depending on the project you’re working on. Avoid eyelash yarns and any fluffy or textured yarns.

This yarn is a #3 weight (or DK) yarn. The suggested hook size is a 6 mm or J-10 hook. You can typically find this information on all yarn labels!

Here is where it shows the fiber content. This yarn is a mix of cotton and polyester.

Hooks

Photo by Anete Lusina on Pexels.com

Material:

• Hooks can be made out of aluminum, bamboo, and plastic.
• Each material has its own pros and cons.
• Aluminum hooks are generally inexpensive, last for a while, and are widely available. However, they can sometimes be painful to your hands. Because of this, some aluminum crochet hooks do have plastic or rubber handles for more comfort.
• Bamboo crochet hooks have a good grip, so if you’re having trouble with your yarn slipping from your hook, bamboo hooks may help. They are a bit more expensive than the other materials, though.
• Plastic crochet hooks are very affordable, and they’re lighter, so plastic’s usually used for larger sizes of hooks.
• People typically have their own preferences as to what material they enjoy using. I would recommend experimenting with different types of hooks to find what works best for you.

Size:

• For each size of yarn, there is a corresponding hook size.
• On the yarn label, it should say what hook to use. (Shown in the photo above.)
• If you’re using a #4 (worsted) weight yarn, then the hook size is usually a 5.5 or 6-mm hook. Check the yarn label to see what size to use, though.
• There are metric and US crochet hook sizes. Here is a helpful chart for conversions.

Other materials

Although yarn and a hook are all you really need to get started, there are a few other useful materials you can buy to help you on your crochet journey.

• It’s a good idea to have a nice pair of scissors to cut your yarn with. You can just use some scissors you have around the house, but it never hurts to buy a small pair to carry around with you when you are crocheting.
• You can use a yarn needle to weave in the cut ends on your crochet project. There are plastic yarn needles, metal ones, sharp needles, dull ones, and curved ones. Plastic and metal are both good, but a few plastic ones I’ve had have broken, so just keep that in mind.
• Sometimes, it’s wise to buy a little pouch to house all of your tools. If you bring your crochet project on a car ride, you’ll want to put your yarn needle, hook, scissors, and other supplies in this pouch, so you don’t lose anything. There are some that come with little loops to hold your crochet hooks and with little zipper pockets and such. You can buy something like that, or a simple pouch with one pocket, which you can usually find at Dollar Tree or Walmart.

Starting out

Now that you have your materials, you want to start crocheting. But, how do you start? Well, there are a few different options.

Take a class

• Taking a crochet class is a good idea because you can have someone there explaining to you how to do different stitches, and you can ask them questions.
• I don’t have any experience with a class, because I just taught myself to crochet through online blogs and YouTube videos, but I’ve heard some good things about crochet classes.
• Classes can, however, be a bit pricey sometimes, so just keep that in mind.

Have someone teach you

• If you have somebody in your family, or one of your friends, who crochets, you can always ask them to teach you!
• I’ve been teaching my little sister how to crochet, which is really great. It allows her to ask me when she has any questions, and she can see in person how to do different stitches.
• One drawback is that not everyone has that amount of time, so this might not be the best for everybody.

Blogs/websites

• Sometimes, if I’m trying to learn a new stitch, I just don’t want to watch a YouTube video (especially if I’m out in public or something) blogs are a great alternative.
• Blogs can be a great way to learn crocheting, too! There are a lot of people out there who post helpful tutorials about basic crochet on their blogs.
• I like it best when I find a blog that has a lot of pictures to show how to do something.

YouTube

• YouTube videos are a good way to learn. Unlike reading blog posts about how to crochet, you can actually see someone doing it, which is how a lot of people learn best.
• There are many YouTubers out there who are great crochet teachers.
• It’s also free.
• YouTube is mainly how I learned, and it was very helpful to me.

Some of my favorite resources

• A lot of craft stores, like Micheals, offer crochet classes. You can also just search “crochet classes near me” and you should be able to find some great options.
• Some of my favorite crochet YouTubers are Evelyn and Peter Crochet, Bela Coco Crochet, Simply Daisy, and Happy Berry Crochet. You can also just look up “how to crochet for beginners” and find new tutorials.
• Some helpful blogs and websites are Heart Hook Home, Bella Coco Crochet, The Spruce Crafts, and Sarah Maker. Again, you can look up how to do certain stitches, and you can find your own favorite blogs!

Stitches and patterns

Now that you know a few ways to learn crochet, let’s look at how to practice crochet so that you can become an amazing crocheter!

• If you aren’t taking a class and you are just learning from YouTube and blogs, first, look up how to make the foundation for most patterns: a chain! Once you’ve mastered that, you can look up tutorials on how to do the basic stitches for crochet: single crochet, double crochet, half double crochet, and treble crochet. Here is a playlist on YouTube with instructions on all of the basic stitches!
• Practice making swatches! When I was first starting to crochet, one way I practiced my stitches was by making practice swatches. Crochet a short chain, then practice making some different stitches. You can unravel it and practice the stitch again, or work on some different stitches.
• Make some easy projects! Scarves, washcloths, baby blankets, and basically any other project that’s just a plain square or rectangle are amazing beginner projects! A lot of them have simple stitch repetitions.

Finding patterns online:

• Almost all of the patterns I make are ones I find on the internet.
• A lot of YouTubers and bloggers share amazing free patterns that they design.
• I think that YouTube videos are really good for beginners because they can see what’s happening as someone does it. Patterns may be kind of hard for beginners to read.
• Once you’ve learned to read patterns, I would recommend watching the YouTube video as you follow along with the pattern.

Buying patterns.

• Whether it’s in a crochet book, or if you’re buying a printable pattern on Etsy, there are many crochet patterns to buy out there!
• I don’t tend to buy patterns a lot because I can usually find whatever pattern I’m looking for free online.
• However, there can be some amazing patterns out there for sale. Make sure you know how to read a pattern before you buy one, though!

Patterns:

• Some of my favorite beginner projects are washcloths, scarves, headbands/ear warmers, baby blankets, and simple hats!
• The pattern you find should list the yarn to use. It might list a specific brand, or just say “worsted weight yarn.” Either way, make sure the yarn is suited for the specific project you’re making.
• As I mentioned earlier, I think that video tutorials are easier for beginners to understand compared to blog tutorials, because in YouTube videos, you can see what the person is doing better than if it’s written out.

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Thank you for reading today’s post! And, thanks again, BetsyJane for doing this collab with me! Everyone go check out her post to learn how to start knitting!

Would you like to learn to crochet? Did you find this post helpful? Do you want to see more blog posts about crochet for beginners? Be sure to comment!

Have an amazing day, and have fun with your crocheting!

~ Rebekah

My Daily Routine: A Collab With Sawyer

Hello everyone! I hope everyone’s having an amazing weekend so far! Today’s post is another collab! Yay! Sawyer from The Crafty Art Girl asked if I wanted to collab, and I gladly agreed! This collab post is going to be about my daily routine!

#1: Wake up, prayer/reading, getting ready

I wake up at six, then spend about 45 minutes in prayer and reading these books. I think that it’s just a really good way to start my day and gives me an optimistic and positive start!

Then, I get ready for the day: I get dressed, shower, brush my teeth and hair, wash my face, etc.

#2: Animal chores, family, breakfast

After that, I go out and do my animal jobs. I had to feed the pigs on the day I took these pictures.

Then, I usually get a start on my school or socialize with family a bit!

For breakfast, I had some fried cornmeal with jam and some chocolate milk! I know it doesn’t look very good, but it was yummy!

#3: School, school, school

After this, I usually work on school for a few hours! (Until about noon!)

Some math.

#4: Lunch, animal chores again, more school

For lunch, we had a “tea time” theme! We had hootenannies with cinnamon sugar and some tea! It was a very nice lunch.

After this, I do animal jobs again, and finish up on some schoolwork. Then, the time’s about 2:30 p.m.

#5: Writing, blogging, running

I then work on writing my book for about a half-hour! I’m trying to mostly focus on the second draft of my dystopian novel this month! I always love to listen to music while writing!

I also work on some blogging and catching up on other bloggers’ posts!

If I go on a run that day, I usually go around this time! Or, I’ll go on a bike ride or a walk!

#6: Clean-up, family time, organizing

Then, I just clean up my room a little bit, and work on some organization. I also just spend some nice time with family in the afternoon!

#7: Free time, hobbies, outside time

In the late afternoon I usually have some free time in which I read or crochet, or do one of my other hobbies, or spend more time with family!

I am currently reading The Return of the King, the third and final book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy! It’s taking a bit of time (I’m only on the second chapter) but it’s good so far!

I also like going outside and playing with my cat, Luna, or doing photography!

#8: Dinner, after-meal cleanup, more free time

We usually have dinner around six! My mom and dad picked up some pizza!

Then we clean up, and after that, I just have some more free time, where I usually read or do one of my other hobbies!

#9: Journaling, planning, bedtime

Then, I get ready for bed (brush my teeth, wash my face, get pajamas on, brush my hair, etc.) Before bed, I usually write in my journal a bit and do some planning, then I do my prayers and go to bed around nine or ten!

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Thank you so much for reading! And thanks again, Sawyer, for asking about a collab! I had a lot of fun with this post! Everyone should go check Sawyer’s blog out!

See y’all soon! Have an amazing day! Bye!

~ Rebekah

Doing the “Know Your Buddy Tag” With Raegan

Hello! Today, I’m here with a blog collab! 😃 This is my first time ever doing one!! I got tagged by Rajonya to do the “Know Your Buddy Tag”, so thanks, Rajonya! (Here’s her post!)

I then asked Raegan if she wanted to do it, and she said yes!! So, I’m really excited about today’s post!!

The answers to the questions are Raegans. You can see what I answered to each question over on her blog, so make sure to go check that out!

Rules

• Tag the original creators of this tag – Tallblondetales and Proxywords – and tag the original posts from each of their blogs. If you do, you’ll be eligible for the roundup post and grand ‘Know Your Buddy’ tag winner! If not, you can still take part in the tag you just won’t be a contender for the overall winner.
• Thank the bloggers who nominated you (and your buddy), share the badge and rules in your post.
• Pick a blogger with whom you’d like to do this tag with, answer the questions together, and share each other’s answers on both the blogs.
• Nominate 10 new Bloggers and keep spreading the love.
• Notify the bloggers (tell them you nominated them) by commenting on one of their posts.

Raegan’s Answers

1: What is your favorite blog post of mine and why?

https://booksandhooks13.wordpress.com/2021/11/17/autumn-aesthetic/ I love looking at people’s different aesthetics that they design. 

2: What would you like to be known for: your name, or your blog name?

Giving out useful information and just fun posts to read. 

3: What is the weirdest comment you’ve ever gotten on your blog?

I got one comment that said, “I LOVE DOGS?” Which I thought was interesting. But that person who sent that said a lot of other weird creepy stuff. 

4: Do you think cereal is soup? Why or why not?

I do not think it is because when I think of a soup I think of something much more savory. If you do think it is a soup I am fine with that I would not be offended. 

5: If you had a controller to rewind or fast forward your blog, which would it be?

Rewind.

6: If you two were to be buddy characters in a movie, which characters would you be and why?

I would probably be whichever character is sarcastic because I like to write sarcastically. 

7: What is the most boring part of posting blog posts for you, or what part of posting a blog are you laziest about?

Probably just trying to start writing a post. Once I start I can just keep writing but it takes me a little while to actually start the writing process, lol.

8: If you could transform into any animal, what would it be and why?

A horse. Because they are pretty and strong.

9: If your blog had a superpower or magical element, what would it be?

To transform into any animal. 

10: If you were given the power to exchange blogs for a day, which things would you change or adapt first?

Probably nothing.

Nominations

Sophia

Lydia

Heidi

Addie

Suhani

And, anyone else who is wanting to do it!! (I know this isn’t ten people, but I couldn’t find enough people to nominate!!)

(If I tagged you, and you don’t want to do it/already did it/are tag-free, sorry I bothered you!)

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Thanks again, Raegan, for doing this with me! I had a lot of fun!! Everyone, make sure to go check out her blog; she has a lot of amazing posts and great photography! Thanks for reading, and have an awesome day!! Bye!

~ Rebekah