Knitting and crochet Advent calendars—are you buying one?

Mod edit: Here is part 2 of the thread
Knitting and crochet Advent calendars—are you buying one? Part 2 

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Here come all the offers again for various Advent calendars for knitting and crochet enthusiasts.... Whether it's “just” yarns or with accessories.... 
Personally, I find them very expensive, but somehow I’m still curious about what’s hidden inside. 
What do you think about them?  Would you also be tempted to buy one or have one given to you, or would you rather spend the money on something you really want? 

I’ve never had one and don’t want one either. But since I don’t like surprises, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be thrilled with the patterns. I’d rather choose for myself—except, of course, with a regular Advent calendar—where you get a piece of chocolate every day.

I look at the various Advent calendars (for crafts) online and enjoy browsing them. 

I’m not buying one.
I feel the same way as Petra.

That’s exactly my concern—that the patterns wouldn’t be “my style,” or that I already have most of the accessories anyway. And the ones from the dyers are so ridiculously expensive. A single skein can easily cost the equivalent of around 20€.... I’m totally torn—on one hand, I’d kind of like one, but 100€ and up is just a bit steep... 

I didn’t even know such things existed until now. And yes, I’m terribly curious, I love being surprised, and I think Advent calendars are great in principle—I get one every year. You’ve got to treat yourself sometimes.... 😊😊
And so far, I’ve actually never been terribly disappointed—quite the opposite. So where could I check out what’s on offer? Feel free to PM me, of course....

I saw on Facebook today that one filled with yarn is already sold out. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the company name anymore. Veronika, I think you should search online right away before they’re all gone. 

I did a little Googling (you guys give me ideas 😂), and there are so many options out there. Weird—I hadn’t really noticed them at all until now.
Some things are an immediate no-go for me. For example, Bobbel calendars with 24 little pieces of yarn cake in them—that’s just silly.
But I found one thing that really piqued my interest—I’ll sleep on it for one more night, but I’m afraid I’m going to go for it.... LaCritza (she’s here too—it seemed so familiar to me right away) offers different package sizes and combinations, including, for example, one where you can crochet a “Grinsetier”—that sounds right up my alley.

Oh dear, I hope you don’t end up with an Advent calendar hanging in every room 🙈😇

An interesting topic. I wouldn’t buy some of those ready-made calendars either, where you never know exactly what’s inside.
I don’t buy those Bobbel surprise bags either—you’re guaranteed to be disappointed because they usually contain colors that don’t sell very well, I think.

As a birthday gift from my husband, I got to pick something out for myself. And... brace yourselves....
I’m getting the crochet book—Advent Calendar: Heroes of Childhood—with 24 different crochet figures. I’m already looking forward to it. It’s available at a.....n
That way, I know what I’m getting. Until then, I’ll have to wait patiently.

Here at CP, of course, there are so many lovely ideas for calendars—it’s hard to decide.

Well, Veronika, you’ve learned something new again. There are some great ideas out there.

I took a look at La Critza’s. Interesting, interesting. I’ll sleep on it for a bit. Great idea, by the way, La Critza.

I’m totally into this kind of thing, but unfortunately I never end up using the items anyway, because I shop specifically for projects.
For that reason, I’ll probably exercise some self-control and not buy one :)

This is a different topic, but I’m bringing it up because Andrea just mentioned a reference book that, unfortunately, is once again being bought from that big A….

Please support your local bookstores with your purchases!
Many are on the brink of bankruptcy! Here in the countryside, it’s now hitting a great little bookstore that can’t compete with A….

Many people don’t know this: On the genialokal website, you can shop online at your local, owner-operated bookstore—it’s a great way to support them!

Best wishes, Birgit

I don’t buy Advent calendars. What I’ve seen from others so far has been pretty disappointing. I’d rather take the money and invest it in a project.
  I do have Advent calendars, though. For years, I’ve been participating in giveaways on various blogs. There are stories, recipes, and patterns. It costs nothing and is fun. Of course, it’s especially nice when you’ve contributed something yourself.
Best regards, Leoniera 

Well, my dears, I didn’t just think it over—I didn’t just sleep on it for a night—I went for it! 😊 So this year, a LaCritza calendar will accompany me through Advent. I’m already sooo excited!

The Advent calendar was delivered today—now I just have to find a place to set it up; it’s a big box full of bags. I’m really excited!

Oh.... that sounds exciting....
Will you share it with us? With pictures, of course 💖😍
I’m not really in the Christmas spirit yet. But it’s been like that for the last few years.
Maybe I’ll “treat” myself to a surprise knitting bag for St. Nicholas Day 🙈

@Steffi
What exactly is a knitting surprise bag? 🤔🤔

It’s basically like an Advent calendar, just on a tiny scale....
There’s a “bag” full of surprises. A few knitting accessories, some yarn, etc....
🤔 Whether “you” really need that... I have no idea 🙈 but a surprise is always nice 😊

So, I’ve given my desk a festive Advent makeover—that should make me want to sit down at it, and wrapping up the year will be a breeze. 🤣
Of course, I’d love to share LaCritza’s Advent calendar with you—here’s what it looks like so far.

Awesome.... 💖💖💖💖

Very nice, I’m excited.
 I did give in this year and treated myself to a book. There are 24 different snowflakes to crochet.  The pages are sealed shut. No peeking ahead.😂
Kind regards, Marita 

That’s actually a nice idea, though—I’ll have to keep that in mind for next year.

Marita, I think it’s funny that you gave in too… Mine is the Crochet & Macramé Advent Calendar Book. I circled it a million times and finally picked it up 😁 The last time I did macramé was back in the ’80s 😂, but I’m sure I’ll manage. The Snowflake Advent Calendar Book—I’ll have to make a note of that for next year so I have another reason to “give in”…

Best regards
Silvia

I just took a quick look online... for the snowflakes.
Mr. Post might actually manage to get it there in time for the first door... 🤔🙈 Oh dear, I have a feeling something “naughty” is coming 😁😂

🤣🤣

Soon I’ll get to open the first little bag! To make the wait a little shorter, there was already a little surprise loose in the box:

Those are really beautiful colors.... I’m excited to see what else is coming. Maybe I’ll get one next year, too 😇

Yippee! Time to open the first little bag! Today there was a skein (about 30 g) of chocolate-brown cotton and a little bag with 8 brown safety eyes.

💖 That looks “promising.” ... A reindeer??? Then you still have eyes for three more animals.... 🤔

Today it was 50 g of cotton in a really gorgeous turquoise—it’s a more vibrant shade than it looks in the picture.

Veronika, these are already some great items. May I ask how much the Advent calendar cost?

You could put together different combinations. The basic version—I chose the medium one—costs 89 euros. There was also a smaller and a larger version, but I don’t remember the prices for those.
And then you could choose various extras; I didn’t take all of them, but I did pick out a new pattern for a Grinsetier, so I’m really looking forward to that.

Today I got 50 and 25 g of cotton yarn and the first part of a pattern.

Of course, I opened some bags again yesterday and today. Yesterday there was light gray cotton—enough for a little grinning bear—and today it was a small ball of dark blue yarn.
I’ve also started working on the first part of Saturday’s pattern. I can’t even imagine yet what it’s going to turn out to be.

Oops, something’s missing here....

Veronika, that’s so sweet of you to share this with us. I’m also curious to see how this will all turn out and what the other little bags might contain.
It all looks very promising. I’ll have to keep this in mind for next year.

That reminds me of my Advent calendar book. I’m already five patterns behind—oh man.

Whoa! Well, let’s get started then! 🤣

Veronika, I really like your Advent calendar—I’d also thought about buying one, but couldn’t make up my mind.
Thanks for showing us the beautiful yarns. I’m happy for you.
I’m especially excited about the Grinsetier. ;0)

Have a great St. Nicholas Day, everyone!

I hope you all have a wonderful St. Nicholas Day, too!
The calendar is really great—I think I’ll get one again next year.
Today it contained 150 g of cotton in various colors, again with suggestions for what each amount is enough for. It also came with a USB drive.

I have to say one thing, though: the calendar isn’t necessarily suitable for absolute beginners—you should already have a little bit of basic knowledge.
It included the first part of a pattern; while every row is described, it doesn’t mention when you’re supposed to stuff the piece. That’s clear to me because I’ve already crocheted a few animals, but if this were my first one, I probably would have crocheted everything all the way to the end.

Hi Veronika,
this is really exciting. It’s looking good so far.
I’d love it if you’d keep us posted.
Have a wonderful Advent season.
Petra

Your calendar is really great....
I think I’ll have to set aside a few euros here and there next year 🙈 in the hope that I’ll have “enough” for a calendar come November... 

Should I tell you how I handle it?
Whenever I get bottle deposit money back or have too much loose change in my wallet—enough to make it too thick—I dump it into an old sugar jar, and I empty it once a year. It really adds up, and over the course of the year, I haven’t even missed having all that loose change around.

I save it in a jar.... but it always gets “full” so quickly, and then I cash it in sometimes.... but then it’s gone again in no time 🙈🤷
A sugar bowl works really well—at least it holds enough 😁

Oh yeah, I have a bowl in my closet. That’s where I always toss my loose change. It’s too heavy for my wallet. The last time I exchanged it, I had over 50 €. I’m going to save that up. 

We always save our coins for vacation (some for toilet breaks, the rest for the vacation fund), and it really adds up 😉

Today there was another 100 g of cotton in the calendar. Plus the second part of the surprise pattern and one for a grinning frog. I’m definitely falling behind with my crocheting! 🤣🤣

Forgot the picture....

I think it’s great that they feature different yarn manufacturers and aren’t just focused on one specific yarn....
A lot of work and love goes into this Advent calendar.
So my decision for next year is made.... if I get a calendar, I’d rather have one from a “small business” than one from one of the “big brands”.... 

I think it’s so great that you’re “sharing” your calendar with us—I look forward to the new little door every day 😉,
I’m already excited to see what it will be.
The Grinning Frog is great too, but unfortunately—even though there are some really great patterns here—I just can’t get into those kinds of “fiddly details” (just thinking about all the weaving in ends 😇) 
I’d rather make what feels like my 1,000th shawl with one yarn cake 😂😂

Oh, there isn’t that much to sew—it’s actually doable.
I’ve continued working on the surprise project, but I still have absolutely no idea what it could be. That’s how it should be—so exciting!
Yes, I’m also really thrilled with the calendar; I didn’t expect it to be this great. So thank you so much for giving me new ideas! Without this thread, it would have completely passed me by.

***I think it’s great that they feature different yarn manufacturers and aren’t just focused on one specific yarn....***

I really like that, too—there are yarns in there that I didn’t even know existed.

Today I got 25 g of light apricot-colored cotton.

I’ve also continued working on the second part of the surprise pattern.

🤔 A bunny? Or maybe a reindeer???? Those ears 😇
I’m so curious to see what it’ll be...

Gremlin or reindeer—bunny ears are much rounder in the end. 🤣

The suspense....

But seriously.

New day—new bag! Today with 25 g of gray cotton and a pair of funny googly eyes to go with it.

I’ve been reading along for a few days now—haha—I barely have time to comment right now, but hey… there are some great ones in your calendar. I’ve actually been thinking about treating myself to one, but I always end up thinking, “Well, who knows what’s inside?” so I’ve held off. Well, maybe next year then—the idea with the loose change is great; you could use that for it.

But now I’m just as curious as everyone else to see what kind of little animal ends up in it.

Or a deer, like Bambi 🤔🤔

Today, Part 3 of the pattern was released, along with 50 g of cotton yarn. And an extra 50 g skein in turquoise.

In the meantime, I’ve finished the first little animal from my St. Nicholas bag.

How cute is this one, though.... 😍😍😍

Yeah, I think all these Grinse creatures are so cute. I’ve already crocheted the big chameleon a few times as a stuffed animal for kids, but I’m keeping the little one for myself this time.

Today I got 50 g of cotton—a gorgeous, mottled denim blue that’ll be enough for a Grinse jellyfish. I also got some safety eyes, and I can choose whether to make them blue or green; you can even add different colors underneath them. Awesome.

The yarn looks really nice....
I’m not familiar with it—does it also have a length of around 125 m? I really like it when yarns aren’t just solid-colored throughout. 

I hadn’t seen this one before either, but it looks great and feels really nice—I’ll keep that in mind for a cotton sweater or something.
It’s a bit thicker, 75 m per 50 g.

....then ask la critza where she got the yarn.... I just took a quick look and only found it from the UK or the US.... Or directly from France 🙈—I didn’t check the one with the big “A”....
But there are already lots of pictures and some really beautiful colors 😍

Today I got some Catania in lilac.

And as for the surprise, I’ve gotten this far:

Fleider should of course be Flieder....

.... a body, a head, and two ears 🤔
I absolutely have to get one of these calendars next year, too. 😍

It’s only halfway through today, but I can already tell that the calendar is simply brilliant. What could possibly go wrong now?
Of course, it’s not exactly cheap, but it’s definitely worth the price! If I just add up all the extras: 24 paper bags with 24 very pretty numbered stickers, a large cardboard box, shipping costs, organza pouches for the small parts like eyes and a USB drive.... Then there’s the seller’s pay and the time she invested in it—it really all adds up. And so far, I think the bags are more than generously filled; the surprise instructions are great, and there’s always more than enough yarn included (and the project turns out to be pretty big).
I’m sure I’ll buy another calendar like this next year—I’ve never had such a fun and exciting Advent before.

So Veronika, you’ve really had a lovely haul so far, and I was just thinking I’ll keep a calendar like that in mind.
I really like the yarns from the last two days, and when you consider how much even the small items cost, it’s really worth it. 
I think the chameleon is cute. 

Today, Part 4 of the surprise arrived, along with some cream-colored yarn. And another ball in dark gray.
I’m still finishing up the grinning bear from the St. Nicholas bag, then I’ll move on to the surprise. I’m really falling behind with my crocheting. 🤣🤣

Waaaah, I forgot the picture again.

Veronika, you did everything right. The contents look great, and then there’s the suspense ;0)
It’s already on my wish list for next year. Lacritza is going to have her hands full. Haha, I’m definitely not the only new person interested.

As for me, until then, the only rule is... all Christmas gifts have to be finished by the end of November... so there’s enough time left for some surprise crocheting. 

....I wonder if we can already pre-order the calendars for next year 😂🙈😂
I think this one is so great.... 

I don’t know her capacity, so maybe we should give LaCritza a heads-up.... 🤣🤣

I’d suggest a “crazypatterns group order” 😂😁😂
But giving her a heads-up is also a good idea—that way she can plan more time for packing the bags... 

In keeping with the weather here, it’s staying pretty sunny:

Such beautiful colors 😍 

....when you least expect it, something “good” comes along 🙈😲😂
I was just holding a Christmas book from my father-in-law and flipping through it a bit... He had some “weird” bookmarks—in this case, they were Danish kroner.... A total of 800 kroner 😲, spread across four bills... I’ve never held such “big” bills in my hands before. ...
Anyway, I’m going to exchange them and set the money aside for an Advent calendar 😁😇 

That’s such a great find!

Yeah… I did some research first to see if they’re real. 😂🙈😂
I’ve never held a 500-krona bill in my hand… and the book almost ended up in the trash—that’s how unassuming it looks… 

I thought it was kind of “pretty” and took it with me...

Today we’re continuing with the pattern sections, this time using dark brown yarn. It also came with 50 g of a beautiful gray-blue shade.

The second little animal from the St. Nicholas bag is finished—the Grinning Bear:

Veronika: I’ve already admired your little grinning bear. I love all the grinning little animals. They’re so cute—they put a smile on your face just from admiring them.
I think I’ll have to give the calendar idea some more thought for next year.
A group order sounds good 😀

Steffi: That’s a great find. See? And were they “real”?
The Norwegian kroner aren’t much different either. I’ve actually held a 500 NOK bill in my hand before. It’s quite something. It looks like a lot, but it would be about 50 euros (at the current exchange rate)
So, what does that tell us? Never throw books away.

Yeah, the Grinsetiere are great! I still have to crochet one more from the St. Nicholas bag, then the frog and the jellyfish. But first, let’s continue with the surprise. Now come the legs and most likely the tail, but then also something long and narrow—I’m so excited.

No sooner is one finished than the next one is waiting in the wings—today it was “Mäusewolle.”

I’m now working on the legs for my surprise project. Oh my gosh, it’s going to have huge feet! 🤣🤣

Today I got 25 g of blue cotton and some oval, black safety eyes to go with it.

Mäusewolle = Wool for the mouse?

😁 Yes.

OK :-)

Today there was even a 100g skein of gradient yarn included, and a small one in yellow—of course, with a matching project idea again.

Yesterday, the surprise continued—this time in pink. And, of course, there was another ball of yarn included.

Today I got some cotton yarn for gingerbread men. Well, they won’t make it into the Christmas decorations this year—I’ll save them for next year.

Veronika: All I can say is: Wow, the calendar is great and worth the money.
It’s so nice that you’re sharing this with us.

That’s exactly what I like to do. I’m actually really thrilled with how well-stocked the calendar is.

Today there was 50 g in taupe (I think that’s what it’s called—a sort of brownish-gray, slightly shiny).
And then, finally, the last part of the surprise!

That yarn looks soft. Is it soft?

There was even black embroidery thread in there! I actually had some scraps of that at home—you always need it for noses, mouths, or eyes.
Since I also got to crochet two horns in between, it was obvious it was going to be a goat or a cow....
but wrong—so very wrong! 🤣🤣
LaCritza is just brilliant; that was a real surprise. I still have a little bit of knotting and sewing to do, then I’ll show it to you....

Yes, it’s very soft cotton.

Why—what do you do with the horns?

Sewing it on… let yourself be surprised! 🤣🤣

OK :-)

Ta-daaaa! Done! A grinning warthog! 🤣🤣

wow

😂😍😂 How cute is that? 😍
I would never have thought of that. Wonderful.... 

Yes, we’re still having fun, too.

Today we got 50 g of cotton in a very delicate apricot shade.

And then it’s the final stretch.... Time has flown by pretty quickly.

Knitting and Crochet Advent Calendars—Will You Buy One? Part 2
Enjoy the new thread.