Yarn Advent Calendars: Yay or Nay?

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Today we're discussing the pros and cons of yarn advent calendars! Enjoy!

[@ant713m]

Hi Taylar, slightly off topic but I really love your videos. I have picked up the habit of crochet and knitting again these past few years. I really enjoy it, and helps me so much with stress relief . Recently I have been suffering with stress and anxiety and being able to knit my projects and listen to your videos is a comfort and real help. Please continue making these, fibre arts are so good for mental health. You are helping people in so many ways. Thank you from the 🇬🇧

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

@@ant713mthank you so much for taking the time to share this with me. I understand what you’re going through and I also know how much relief we can experience from having something/someone to watch/listen to. I’m honored to provide that in some way for you. And don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. ❤

[@alissarice9725]

I'm a December birthday so it's actually a great combination birthday/Christmas present my husband is getting for me

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

@@alissarice9725 yes totally! ❤️

[@laurakirk3481]

I buy an advent calendar because I’m alone at Christmas and it’s just fun to have something to open.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

And that’s a fantastic reason to do it! When it all boils down, joy is all that matters. Or even just a simple boost. ❤️

[@virginiaanderson8875]

Im alone also and thought, that would be fun -

[@heatherroach7817]

I'm alone and fairly new to knitting so didn't know about yarn advent calendar. I'll look into it, thanks.

[@orapronobis2149]

Ladies how wonderful that you define “alone” and not lonely which is very signifcant for all of our mental health. What we have now is inviting creative people to our homes such as here with Wool Needles Hands. She takes us to a place of creativity whether a novice or expert. We appreciate this and should also look into local craft fairs, tea parlors that offer events to knit and sip’s. Set up your own and open the journey with visitin a coffee place or tea if it is your cup of pleasure and you never know how you will notice someone always there too. Be bold and introduce yourself. Do not disregard age. I love engaging with young adults. I too move along alone even though I have a spouse. I call the parking lot to coffee places to sit and view KZbin or moviess my third living room. COVID had many of us there just to be out. Get a car tray for snacks to eat, bring a working project like a knit or crochet to sit for awhile. Check out a local park or bay to sit. Be mindful of your surroundings and enjoy your time with your favorite person YOU❤❤❤ Thank you for your video sharing and the focus also on price or financial investment and buyers remorse. You rock dear lady.

[@jetsxtaylorgang]

​@@heatherroach7817 Twice Sheared Sheep does an advent that's all tools and notions rather than yarn that could be a great option for you!

[@sandramccrea8241]

I think the best solution I have seen in other crafting areas, is to have a close friend (one who knows the craft) create an advent for one another, that way they still have a surprise, with things they know one another will use

[@karengaray5114]

Love this idea!

[@kathryndenne1717]

I did this with a friend one year.

[@emmadroste8493]

That would be pretty fun! Maybe also "shopping" from the friends stash and picking a pattern could work too! Then the receiver gets a fresh view on their own stash, and it's less money overall

[@katebizzak4538]

My mom and I do this! We put together an "advent" with all of our sock yarn scraps throughout the year and then trade them - it's definitely more inspiring to knit with someone else's scraps instead of my own, and if there's something I don't love, I can just skip or replace with no guilt because the high cost wasn't there.

[@aylaraslan7119]

Honestly i was debating doing this and having someone who knows what colors I like pick out minis for me and I just pay at the end. Even if they are not crafty, if they know my colors and are willing to wrap/bag each one individually for me I think it would work.

[@jonellesandel1066]

I did Woolens and Nosh last year and signed up again. They send one bag with two pre-wound balls you knit from the bag. In between each stripe is a repeating solid, so each day you knit only until you see the next solid. You then have a new pair of socks for Christmas and don’t have to figure out all those minis. Love it!

[@howysmith15]

Thank you! I'd never heard of them before. What a beautiful shop!

[@MrsMonstargh]

I joined a Facebook group to create scrappy advent swaps. It covers USA, UK and Australia (me), so everyone can have non-international shipping rates but you get to enjoy an advent surprise. I collect my 24 10g scraps of 4ply throughout the year and we ship them to our partner in November. It's my favourite holiday tradition.

[@heidiclarke2333]

Me have done 3 years now and love it, I make scrappy socks a new colour each day, the rest goes in a big ball and I have made jumpers from it.

[@karink]

Brilliant! Love this idea!

[@Kpup]

Oh wait this sounds so fun!!!

[@Jenn-98]

I love this idea. I want in!

[@MrsMonstargh]

The group is called Frankenstein Advent Swap 💙

[@kit000003]

If you're having fomo for yarn advent calendars... Get chocolate... A little piece of joy every day.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yesss! See. That’s my kind of advent!

[@LadyPatienceK]

And a tea advent calendar...to go with the chocolate

[@BottenFieldofDreams]

Yarn advent with a surprise of chocolate or tea to go with each skein?!? Yes? Yes!

[@danisbookshelf3167]

Chocolate advents are the best! I got a chocolate one and a puzzle one last year, and they were delightful

[@ryoknits]

I’ve discovered that I don’t need a yarn advent but I do like watching other people unwrap theirs. It is expensive scrappy project vibes, but if it makes someone else happy and I get the joy of seeing it without having to store it, it’s a win.

[@robinmccamont]

Con’s 1 and 3 are enough to persuade me to not purchase yarn advent calendars. Also, I’m very particular about my colors, and would rather spend my limited retirement budget on something that I know I will like, than be surprised by opening something that might disappoint me. So, no FOMO here! Great video topic, though, Taylor! Thanks!

[@libbybowles]

I really appreciate this video. I've always assumed I just didn't *get it* about advents but now I can honor my gut instinct that they are just a made up thing that actually creates a problem that I really don't want. Thanks again, Tayler

[@RosyRetro]

I buy surprise mini skeins throughout the year but don’t open them and then make my own sort of yarn advent at Xmas by opening 1 each day ❤it’s a fun way to discover new yarns and colours and i always do crochet throws with them

[@siirin7017]

A little late to the party, but my mom (with assistance from my sister) has, for the last two years, created a knitter's advent calendar for me. She fills little paper bags with yarn (50g or 100g skeins), stitch markers, project bags, other tools like tape measures or sock blokkers, chocolate and Christmas decorations. I absolutely love it ❤ the little paper bags are then connected with a string and hanged from the ceiling. It's super cute and very much appreciated ❤ I always send her a video of me opening the day's bag ❤ just today she sent a message to our family chat asking my sister when they will go advent calendar shopping for the first time this year ❤❤❤

[@marthameyer7918]

The best use I ever made of Yarn Advent Calendars were knitting mini socks with each color and making an Advent calendar for my children and their spouses! They don’t scream Christmas but they hang them every year! Still a wonderful idea.

[@annettewiggins2220]

After years of watching vlogs with other people opening their yarn advents, and having major FOMO, I ordered 3 in 2023. One of the kits was amazing, and I ordered again for 2024. The designer (Chelsea Yarns) puts so much thought and creativity into the theme and color story, so it was really a joy to open the cute little bags each day. I could see a cohesive pattern unfolding! And, she showcased a great project for the minis, which I promptly cast on, and used up 90% of the yarn. That was very satisfying. The other 2 were very disappointing. #2 had nice yarn, but the color story was not what I expected at all - very muted and faded, like Christmas from an old sepia photo. The third, I'm sad to say, was just a rip-off. This 14-day advent arrived a week late, with no communication from the designer. It was all random faded colors with a couple of neons, so no discernible color story. The kit came with a "bespoke" pattern that was billed as a surprise at the time I ordered. The pattern itself was also not my thing at all - an old-fashioned shawl that seemed like a lot of work (intarsia and stranded colorwork, oh my!) for a very bland effect. I appreciate that a lot of work goes into these kits, but I wasn't really seeing that for kit #3. It seemed almost like they packaged up the skeins that didn't turn out so well, threw in a pop of color, and then filled the rest of the bags with odds and ends! For my $169, I received 9 mini-skeins, some cheap stitch markers (not part of a theme), a pin, and a cloth project bag. The non-yarn items were considered part of the calendar, instead of fun extras. That works out to $19 per 20 g mini! In contrast, the advent I liked was about $9 per mini, with several fun extras that were consistent with the theme. What surprised me the most, though, was how all these random minis stressed me out. Will I be able to do anything with them, when all is said and done? I keep trying to find a way to work them into other projects, but it's either not enough or the color just doesn't work. It seems like most people end up making blankets. But my curiosity is now satisfied :-)

[@alicemac89]

While watching this video, I was actually knitting on my 2022 advent- making the Habitation Throw. I have bought one yarn advent the last 3 years, and I enjoyed it so much. I didn't find the perfect projects for them until this year, so I have been spending the last several months working through the last 3 years of advents, and honestly it is almost like I am opening them for the first time again, it has brought me so much joy! I have already pre-ordered myself an advent for this year, and am thinking of even ordering one more- my birthday is in July and that is how I have been spending my birthday money the past few years. I love scrappy projects, I love the daily surprise, and it is within my budget, so I am going to keep on buying Yarn Advents.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

I love this and for so many folks, this is or can be the experience and that’s great! Enjoy! ❤️

[@SupermodelKara]

I've seen some cute advents out there and some that really were not my style but for me it all comes down to "what would I use this for?" I'm not someone who just buys yarn to buy yarn, it always has a project attached to it so for me, Advent calendars would be a waste of money and resources. I do however enjoy watching various knitting channels open and show off their advents and it has introduced me to various indie dyers that I have gone on and ordered full skeins from.

[@57sduffy]

I absolutely love that you addressed the FOMO issue. A very good point! That's the case for me. So, I have tried to think that first before I jump.

[@brat32179]

I have purchased 4+ this year. :-/ We don't otherwise do gifts, for holidays or any other occasions. So it's my fun holiday project, however I also don't open them all in Dec. I like to save one for my birthday month, one for the rainy season, and one for summer travel. I try to make sure I select ones that either have a pattern I like included, or that I have a pattern in mind for, so that I'm not left with a pile of yarn and zero plan. I also won't buy ones that are completely blind, I need to know the general color scheme so that I'm not getting something I'll really dislike. -- For people that like the idea of a knitting related advent but don't want all the yarn, places like Twice Sheared Sheep have an advent that is focused more on notions and I think just a single full skein of yarn.

[@loganrutledge3610]

Curiously, fomo alone is a new Christmas classic

[@karenalbery2773]

I didn't even need to watch to say nah. I mean I would never be sad to recieve one as a gift but I would never buy one for myself. I don't love minis that much and I have enough scraps to make my own. And as a hobby dyer for my own use only I can't imagine the amount of work it is. I mean sure I love opening cute little surprise gifts as much as anyone but for the money it's not something I would want really.

[@marybeneteau6009]

I have never purchased an advent calendar and doubt I ever will. I watch podcasters trying to find 'scrappy' projects for them and I've always wondered why. I'm with you Taylor.

[@nisoZ]

I really appreciate your integrity! As a yarn dyer, I thought you might lean towards promoting advent calendars, but you really provided a cohesive approach to consider them. Love and appreciate your content!!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

I’m glad you feel that way. Thank you. ❤️

[@crystalemmerson1334]

Way to expensive to me. They seem nice but not in my budget.

[@bethmarie6900]

Some advice I saw on IG about advent calendars was to look at the dyer’s theme and body of work before deciding. I found a “countdown to Halloween” box that was themed to Charlie Brown’s Halloween Special. That is so nostalgic for me and it tempted me to get it. And while I hadn’t purchased any yarn from the dryer before, I had been following them for a long time and really liked so many of their previous colorways and their dying style. When I read the description, it was a fade. I had been looking for a mini skein fade set to do the “Stella Quilt Cushion”. It seemed like everything aligned and I went ahead and purchased it. I’m so excited and I feel like this was an excellent purchase!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

See, this is how you make an informed purchase and that’s so important. Enjoy it! ❤️

[@Carola-By-The-Bay]

I LOVE a yarn advent! Makes my husband's gift-giving easier. I made a hexagon blanket with my 2023 advent and it’s one of my very favorite possessions. 🧶🌻🥰

[@cathycarbone1598]

Last year purchased wobbles advent box for my daughter in-law.shewas anew crocheter. She loved it. I have previously purchased a advent collection that was different stitch markers etc and it was delightful.

[@KimClinger]

I cannot afford them, but opening a skein each day is so fun to do. I’ve had 2 gifted to me in the past. But I watch all advent vlogmas videos. It’s my way of celebrating the season.

[@dianem7563]

I treat myself to a Sweet Georgia Yarn Advent Calendar every December. The yarn and patterns are always beautiful, and you end up with a lovely shawl by Christmas.

[@meibaola]

I bought an advent calendar only once, two years ago, from a French dyer and importer (unemaillealafois). I was going through a challenging time and it did cheer me up :) However the concept was different from what you describe: they used mostly discontinued yarn to fill half of the daily packages (usually full-size skeins/balls), putting in the others cute notions and other surprises. So while it wasn't cheap, all in all I paid the yarn less than you would pay full price. I could also indicate general colour preferences when ordering, so I loved most of the colours. I saw it as a bargain and an opportunity to try new things and indeed I have already used most of the yarn I received. It was a very positive and fun experience, however, I wouldn't do that again. Why? Simply because my stash is bigger now and I don't want more clutter. Also, I have become more intentional with my purchases and am not so much into trying random new things. My takeaway is: yes or no to advent calendars can depend on where you are on your knitting journey :D

[@isabellemeunier9486]

I will not buy a yarn advent this year for all those reasons you mentioned. I got one last year, cost me a lot of money for some colours I didn't care for, had a lot of trouble finding what to do with it and I still have mini skeins I have no idea what to use them for. On the other hand, a sock yarn advent to make a pair of sock sounds awesome. Will be far less expensive, practical and achievable. Will keep my eyes peeled for that one! 😊

[@sharbear1968]

Hi Taylor I found your channel here while searching for mini skein projects and that was my first intro to the WNH podcast I equate advents to mystery bags. You pay for the mystery. I used to buy those for FOMO haha. I think I’ve used 1/10 of my mystery yarns and have serious buyers remorse. Your advice can also be applied to subscription boxes. I get one from hooks & needles. It’s ok. The patterns are never to my liking but I do enjoy a little something in the mail and have found I use the yarns. Just not necessarily as they suggest. It is fun to look at and say “hmmm what can I make with these” and go through my future project wishlists to match up. So happy you’re back and rested. I wait for several podcasts weekly.

[@FayGavigan-sr5dy]

I’m dipping my toe in the water of yarn advent calendars. Another thought as you are such a book lover. In the UK we gave an amazing family run business who do book advent calendars. You can choose how many days. I gifted my daughter the full one you get a gift wrapped numbered book or book related gift. She said it was the best gift she had ever received. You can exchange the book if you have it or don’t like it. But she did neither and said it made her explore new genres x

[@the_busy_beaver_brooke]

I have been contemplating (and need to do it soon if I think I'm gonna forget about it) making myself a stitch marker advent... Putting them in bags and then maybe a shoe box and leaving them til Christmas time...

[@LetitiaJM]

You know what. I think implicitly we know it’s not value value. BUT HOW FUN is it to open something new every day. I really enjoy the endorphin high.

[@O1iviaR]

I have never bought a yarn advent. I haven't been able to justify the cost with no clear plan on how I would use it. I do love them, and love watching my favorite podcasters open them every year. I want to try one for myself eventually, though. I like the idea of having the time to use a whole advent during the festive season. It will be a challenge to myself! I like the idea of doing it when I want to, can financially afford to, and use it in the intended way- not just buying one (or more!) because everyone else is. I did purchase a sock advent last year and really enjoyed that- so I will do it again this coming holiday season. I also like the idea of mini skein sets, usually 5 or 10, and have bought several of those. I always appreciate your point of view and others who comment on what works for them. It's a great discussion topic and I like that you make it feel like a real conversation with your viewers. Until next time, I'll be busy making and reading! You are KZbin for me, lately! I appreciate all of the wonderful content! 🥰

[@karenp603]

This was a great topic. The Fomo is real but The advent of mini skeins from 2 xmases ago is still in the box unused. However, I love the Woolens & Nosh advent, I love how she has them all wound up and ready to knit. It's fun to knit the stripe each day and wear the socks on Christmas or New Year's.

[@Shetooktothewoods]

For the ending question: way the h*ll no. Setting aside that I simply cannot afford such a thing (nothing against indie dyers; artists should be paid for their work), I knit with solids, mostly in jewel tones. I don’t wear stripes or fades or variegated or spotted anything.* The idea reminds me of the subscription box rage, where you received a box for of stuff every month that you *might* use one or two items of. *Except socks. That’s the Wild West over here in the woods. Anything goes. I would do an advent sock skein gleefully.

[@lynnthomas7275]

I've always wanted a yarn advent but just couldn't justify the cost so this year I've been setting aside 20g scraps of 4 ply yarn from projects to make my own. I know I'll like the colours and I love scrappy projects.

[@camillevirginia_]

In a world inundated with consumerism, this Midweek Ramble was refreshing! There are so many podcasters/influencers that encourage people to buy these sort of things when (in some cases) they did not pay for the products themselves. I love when we get a breath of fresh air as someone encourages contentedness with what we have. Yarn advents are wonderful, but I think it also needs to be said more often that a budgeted, handpicked stash is much more impactful! 🤍

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

I’m so glad you feel this way. Thank you. ❤️

[@vanessataylor15]

I love yarn advents! I’ve got 5 coming this year and had 4 last year. My tip would be, buy some yarn from the dyer before you commit to an advent. This will help you check you like the fibre, you like their dye style, you are happy with the quality. Also most yarn dyers will show inspiration pictures before you buy and most have examples of last years advents. Make sure you have a good look through them before you commit.

[@southpaw487]

You made some great points. Especially that scrappy and multicolor projects are to solve problems, so no need to invite a problem in. Yes, FOMO is a thing for me but when I gave in back in 2022, I regretted it and didn't get an Advent for 2023. After "opening day one" I didn't miss it.

[@heatherhaught6445]

I love yarn Advent calendars, but I don't but then every year. I have used a bunch of my minis but still have a bunch left too. I also enjoy gifting minis, and swapping them as well as all the fun projects you can make with them. I think my next calendar would be a fade or one of the stripes per day sock skeins!

[@josefinenielsen6457]

I have really considered buying an advent calendar, but I will wait a year or two and work on getting my current stash down first. I can't justify getting more yarn that I may not enjoy, before I use up some of the yarn I've gotten and am really looking forward to using. Here in Denmark, the advent calendars I see are predominantly ones with 4 packages (1 each sunday leading up to christmas), rather than 24/25. This makes so much more sense to me. It means that you get bigger quantity per gift and thus have a greater chance of making a non-scrappy project. Also, often they'll have a few options for color themes to chose from, so you have an idea that it's going to be colors that you'll like

[@MarjoleinVeenendaal]

I’m not a knitter (yet! But I do a lot of other fiber arts and find it so inspirational to lurk in adjacent craft spaces. I’d love to learn how to knit socks one day, that’s how I found your channel and I just kinda stuck around). But yarn advent calendars always strike me as a ‘collecting craft supplies and using them are different hobbies’ type situation.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

I’m just so glad you stuck around! Thank you for being here. ❤️❤️

[@emdmeghan]

For anyone else who loves the self striping sock advent idea, I've purchased the cozy knitter skein for the last 3 years and 100% worth the experience. I think it'll be the only advent I buy going forward. She releases every July 25th, easy to remember Christmas in July!

[@lieslnew8247]

OMG Tayler. I submitted a request on the WNH tip line for you to discuss exactly this topic late last year. Thank you so much!!! 😊

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yes Leisl! That’s the inspo for this and I couldn’t for the life of me find the email! So glad you commented. ❤️

[@lieslnew8247]

@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS ❤️

[@melissaemery8686]

I am a stay at home mom and my husband is a firm believer that his income is our income. He wouldn’t begrudge me buying myself something that I really want. But after signing up for a yarn club and only liking 1 out of 4 months colorway I canceled. I have watched others open advents for the past 3 years and realized that I would only use it if it was a fade or cohesive color scheme. And within what I think is a reasonable price range. I originally wanted the Woolens and Nosh stripe a day advent but the price went up this year and they dropped the extras. I certainly don’t blame them I can’t imagine how much work, planning and stress goes into that. I just can’t spend that much on something I might not like. I just purchased Knitty McPurly’s advent and love that it’s centered around Jesus, God and his creation.

[@just-jo84]

Totally could have written this post myself!! Although I do get Yarnable and like it....but I love knitting socks. I also got Knitty McPurly's Advent and I'm so excited about that - same reasons. I did splurge again on W&N advent socks. But ❤ socks, so I justified it 😂 Also I'm also finishing up the Anthology Throw which I put together with minis I've collected and I ❤ this throw!

[@iluvmysix]

I've never done the Advent yarn thing before but I'm absolutely kicking myself for not ordering Knitty McPurley's this year.

[@etoylemckee6832]

You represented both sides very well.

[@LochBriarKnits]

What I did this year to save some money is I blindly selected 4 bundles of minis from one of my favourite yarn dyers (we're talking squinting hard so I couldn't see the colours, just the buy button!). I didn't worry about whether or not I would like the skeins, b/c this is a go to dyer for me, so it was a given. This gave me 28 minis. When they arrived, I had my husband put the put them in the little bags I had left over from a previous advent calendar and the remaining 4 were put in a larger bag to be opened Xmas day. The cost of doing it that way was easily half the cost or less of what I would have paid for a procured Advent calendar. I've purchased 3 Advent calendars in the past, it just wasn't in the budget this year. Of past advents, I've knit 2 of them up, gifted one project as the colours weren't really my jam and kept the other one. I love having a scrappy project on the go. It's like there's always a new yarn colourway coming up which is fun. I'm now looking for a project to use up my remaining unknit advent minis from 2 yrs ago.

[@bookbunny9]

I love the idea of the self-striping stripe-a-day sock advent! Less overall cost while still (hopefully!) providing a fair price for the dyer, minimal scraps, and minimal stash-inflation. I don't think I could have handled advent calendars (that amount of money for potential disappointment is not worth it to me), but I am absolutely going to look for one of these when I have the chance. How fun!

[@fujimama892]

Here is my 2 cents on the one Advent project I purchased and executed: 1) I got to try a new technique I might not have done on my own, mosaic knitting. 2) I was motivated to keep knitting every day to see if I could do it while working and preparing for the holidays. This gave me some ideas on how I could stay motivated on one project for 25 days straight and somewhat cured me of too many projects going at one time. 3) I think you will appreciate that I actively researched what to do with the mini-skein remnants and found you in the process! 4) I had less trepidation about going for the unknown based on my research (see #3) because even if I decided I hated the project/process, I'd have some projects I chose that I could use the mini skeins for.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

I love this! Especially no. 3. ☺️❤️

[@maryglancy17]

I absolutely respect the time and dedication hand dyers put into creating yarn advent calendars. I’ve learned my lesson about my own knitting preferences and multiple different mini skeins scrappy projects are at the bottom of the list. For 2024 I did get two self striping Advent socks sets as sock knitting (from a continuous skein) is my jam. Thank you for exploring this subject further. I think it will be very helpful for crafters to make informed decisions about these types of purchases.

[@jennifersmith6156]

I love this idea - could you let me know what dyers you’ve ordered from?

[@maryglancy17]

@@jennifersmith6156 Woolens & Nosh, and Freckled Whimsy (both have their own websites). They are not the only indie dyers who do this type of Advent Sock skeins.

[@songindarkness]

I just don’t have the money for a hand dyed yarn Advent calendar sadly. I spend around £100 on yarn for the whole year, not just December! I think yarn Advent calendars are a great concept and I appreciate it must be a lot of hard work to make up. I would quite enjoy finding something to do with the different colours, it could be a real source of creativity. I love the fades. I’m thinking of making an Advent calendar for my Mum with affordable cotton yarn as she likes crocheting with cotton. I can get cotton easily and my Mum isn’t that fussed about colours as she is a process crocheter and makes endless crochet mice and rabbits and things just because she enjoys it! So it could be a winner!

[@beanaasz4069]

Enjoyed this video. I like to watch podcasters open their advent calendars. I purchased my first one last year from Woolens and Nosh. The idea of having a pair of socks was what got me. I totally enjoyed it. I have enough yarn left over to make at least a pair of shorty socks but haven't used it yet. I have a 2-year-old great-granddaughter that I make socks for, so use up a lot that way. One of the advents that sparked my interest last year was one from Twice Sheared Sheep. She does notions that I love - row counters, little tins, etc. I think there was one skein of yarn, too. So this year I am getting the sock advent and the notions advent. I am not interested in a bazillion mini skeins I may not like. I guess I did the value for money thing without realizing it. I'll live vicariously through podcasters who get all the advents.

[@MrsKWheatley]

I have made my own this year from scraps, wound beautifully and wrapped in brown paper bags. I plan to start the Sweet Shop blanket on 1st December. Thrifty and using my stash!

[@katie-thejollychickencraft1532]

I love advent calendars, have had five so far (this year will be my sixth) and have never been disappointed or regretted my purchase. The projects I made with them are very special to me and I absolutely love them. But I only buy from dyers whose style I know and love and I want a theme that really appeals to me (ideally with several moodboards to get an idea of the colours). And I usually know what I want to make with it before I buy. There are so many absolutely gorgeous patterns for advent calendars out there, especially for fades, and where else would I get 24 colourways in a cohesive palette! Many of the more expensive ones are either on more luxurious bases or bulked up with lots of extras (candles, chocolate, stitchmarkers....) which I neither want nor need, so I always go for a standard merino nylon sockyarn (great for shawls, jumpers, blankets) and a calender that is basically just the yarn. Love it!

[@mamiearmaly1133]

I appreciate you pointing out the issue of FOMO in making the decision. I’ve participated in the sock advent calendar for the past few years and love having a pair of sock by Dec. 25th. A very helpful episode. Thank you!

[@yuliyaminina8367]

I already have three scrappy blankets, I don’t need the fourth one. And these blankets, honestly, is the only thing that is appealing to me when thinking about minis

[@teresadiaz9336]

Another alternative is a Hygge Box. I purchase mine from Heidi & Lana. It’s always a surprise. Split up into the 4 weeks of advent. You will have a finished project along with goodies. I like it because the price is good. I can finish the project. It’s not just another kit that sits in my stash. That’s a great Holiday treat in my opinion..

[@inapurlfectworld]

Hi Tayler, I really appreciate your thoughtful, methodical podcasts! You sort the hype every time and I love that! I will never purchase because I agree, it becomes problematic. I like to choose a project and then consider the yarn. Thanks, Helen

[@jeanneb6320]

Im itching to get a fiber advent calendar. Definitely wouldnt do a blind one, i like that a lot of places tell you the theme they have going. That said I dont have the budget, so it's more of a "someday" kinda thing.

[@carinaherrling8773]

Hej Taylor, thanks a lot for your thoughts to thus topic. Hadn't had all of it in mind. But your are so right. Last year i was part of such a nice Thing with fibers for spinning. All of us prepaired an amount of 10g packages with fibers of all kinds. At Xmas we all had 300g in total and to spin. I'm not the fastest at spinning. So after 2 month i got the yarn to now knit🥴😊. very time consuming . But i love it and prepairing for this year .. my costs for this are "only" time, but a lot of it. Definitely not possible in a large range like a yarn dyer... See you soon on your great channel ☺️

[@holoinfinity4691]

Colorwork or stripy socks are a great way to use up advent minis or mini skeins in general! I've watched Summer Lee's videos on how to make basic/vanilla socks not look basic & how to knit striped socks. She has many great guides on these along with various vlogs on her sock knitting process. Highly recommend checking them out if you struggle with putting colors together or just want inspiration. I bet instagram also can provide many inspiring pics if you were to search socks

[@deniseyoung3738]

I've done Holiday project packs, like Shaina Bilow's Hannukah project. It comes in a fun box of goodies with the yarn and pattern for a specific project (it's not specifically Hannukah, so open to everyone) . I've also done Katrinkles count down to new year notion calendar. Thirty one days of fun bits and bobs. But I think just a mini skein box wouldn't be in my wheel house.

[@maryannw5289]

This year I ordered a 10 day countdown calendar, so I’ll have fun items to open, but it’s not so expensive or so much yarn. The theme is cat fur and eye colors, so I feel the colors will work together well. Last year I participated in Ambah O’Brien’s Advent KAL in her Ravelry group, using a set of mini skeins I already had. The requirement is to use one of her patterns. I really enjoyed the daily posts and plan to participate again this year. She has lots of great patterns for mini skeins.

[@andreacrazy4knitting]

Self striping 24 color sock skein and a chocolate advent calendar are my solution.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yes! 100%

[@gailbable2911]

I’m right now making my own Spinning/Knitting 2 year advent. I am preparing roving from stash wools I have collected over the years and placing in paper bags that I close up so I forget what I have carded. I will spin up 25 different rovings each day of December while watching Vlogmas videos. In January I will ply with alpaca using a fleece from my own animals and will put the yarn right back into the paper bag for a knitting advent for the following December.

[@CodexPotter]

I would love one where it's mostly notions and extras. Maybe you choose the weight yarn and there's one or two yarns, then maybe a stitch counter, stitch markers, needle stoppers, a project bag, a pair of needles or two that correspond to the weight of yarn you chose, then maybe a few other things like a nice bar of chocolate or something. Maybe a couple patterns to pad it out without making it too expensive. I love to knit but I don't get to knit much, I'm a slow knitter. My wrist bones don't connect so I KNOW I only get to make a few projects a year. I don't want a ton of mini skeins to figure out what to do with. But I'd love a few nice knitting accessories in one. For most people this kind of thing would probably be clutter but I'd find it to be more useful for me personally.

[@CodexPotter]

Also I'd love a Hanukkah advent calendar. My partner is Jewish so we celebrate Hanukkah. At only 8 days that's much more budget friendly and could be coming together with the supplies for a project 1) project bag or pouch for accessories, 2) stitch markers, 3) needles, 4) shawl pin, 5) pattern, 6) mini skein (maybe for tassels for the shawl), 7 and 8) full size skeins It has everything you need for a single project. I mostly do lacy shawls but you could make it 3 full size skeins or get rid of the pin for an extra skein if the pattern requires more skeins. Or maybe it's a hat so days 1-4 are the same but then day 5 is a pom pom maker (I don't need it but some people might), day 6 is a journal, then day 7 and 8 are the yarn you need, maybe one skein and a mini skein for the pompom or accents. I love the idea of it being everything you need for one project, not overwhelming amount of either things or yarn, you could maybe know the theme or color way or something going into it but still have things be a surprise because it's not only the yarn, each day would build excitement because you could use those extras to guess what the project is. I haven't really seen something like that before. Sometimes they have too many random extras like candles or soap. I don't mind like one unrelated thing to support another artisan but I'd rather them be related. If you want extras, maybe it's specific wash that's safe for the yarn or a handmade yarn bowl or project bag with a design from a local artist printed on it, handmade buttons, things that could still be related.

[@fionaorton7076]

I have ordered my first ever yarn advent for this Christmas, so I'm fascinated to see where I land after actually seeing it! I have a few projects pre-selected for it, and I think I will wait until I have opened them all to order the colours in a way that I think will work and then make the final decision on the actual project. I don't have a lot of yarn on hand (I generally only purchase what I need for a specific project), so having too big a stash isn't a concern for me. My main reason to try one is that I am not adventurous enough with colour. I love seeing how other people place colours together, but I am so boring with them left to my own devices 😂. The company I ordered from had mood board pallets to give you a sense of the included colours, but will be interesting to see if they are really reflective of what's in the box!

[@woolensandnosh6923]

Oh wow! Thank you for the love Tayler!! I have tried both styles of Advent - the mini skeins and swapping with my girl Karrie of Freckled Whimsy for a self-stiping advent. I would say, if I wanted to KNIT an advent during the holiday season - the self-striping skein is the way to go. If I want to open something each day and display them and daydream and get inspired by the minis to knit later...I like the minis. ☺ That being said - I don't need to have a minis advent every year.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

My pleasure Michele! I love your yarn and the idea of a self-striping advent skein is the best. ❤️❤️

[@MistressWhispers]

I could never do a Christmas advent but I LOVE the Halloween 13 day advents. The colours more suit my taste, the advent is smaller and therefore less expensive. I prefer the mini skeins because I don't want full skeins to just use a tiny bit for color work or heels/toes on a pair of socks.

[@angiemcdermid4845]

I loved my Lcoastal” yarn advent from a local dyer, Myrtle Yarns. I plan to make a Seaglass tee from it. But it was a lot of yarn and I wanted to promote her work so a lot of posting too. This year I bought a natural gradient set from a different dyer and will just knit from that as my Advent treat.

[@sarahashley13]

The possible color disappointment and cost prohibits me so ive been making my own sampler advent by naturally dying mini skeins using material from my garden this summer. My husband is going to randomly put them in numbered bags for me. I did purchase an advent striped sock yarn and I think it is a more manageable project with daily joy!

[@littlesammyf7380]

I put my hand up 🙋🏼‍♀️ I am trying to ise minis for weaving

[@HannaVilkman]

I'm considering a yarn advent calendar that has 5 skeins of yarn, one for each of the four Sundays of advent and then one on Christmas Eve (we open our gifts on Christmas Eve here in Finland). The skeins are bigger and thus easier to actually use.

[@knittielynnie]

I've had advents before with more good than bad results, I bought the Wollens & Nosh advent last year and loved it. This year I haven't really looked. I love seeing what other people got, but it also reinforces what I knew from before: if I don't love every skein of yarn in their shop, chances are that I won't love every yarn in their advent/mystery skein/mystery grab bag, etc. My yarn store may do an exchange or custom order advent this Fall, and if so I'll join in.

[@plantbasedknits]

The brand Vegan Yarn does advents for people looking for non-wool advents! I got two last year that were discounted from previous years, one sock advent I was gifted and one cotton I bought for myself. Great quality and super fun color schemes in both :)

[@CatherineKelly-zz5ry]

Great video! I wish I had seen it before preordering my advent calendar. It will be my first and I am excited about it. Always worried about adding to my large stash. Socks sounds like the way to go!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

You have good reason to be excited. It’s fun to experience something like that for the first time and then once you do, you’ll know for sure if it’s for you. Enjoy it and happy knitting with the minis! ❤️❤️❤️

[@shetlandlace]

I agree with many of the cons on advent calendars. I have enough left overs from sock knitting that I work to find options for. I don't need to add to that problem. I do fault many of the big influencers on KZbin that purchase, or receive, multiple advents for making other knitters feel FOMO. Love this video. There is one knitter that makes her own advents. She packages up mini sized leftovers of stash sock yarn in June or July. By December-she opens her advent without knowing what she packed in July. I like that!

[@kimmyk3640]

Great video! FOMO is the only reason I have considered purchasing an Advent Calendar this year. You've saved me.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yes! So glad! It’s not worth it for FOMO alone. 😘

[@BienCuppers]

Be a POMO: proud of missing out. I bought one last year. Its stil in my projectbag, waiting for a project. I doet like half of the yarn. Never again. Be strong❤️💪

[@kimmyk3640]

@@BienCuppers Thank you! I will resist! 😄

[@Costanza_B]

I purchased a yarn advent calendar with 25 mini mini skeins (10 grams each, DK), it was about 100 euros, not cheap, but I liked that the yarn dyer included a pattern made to use all of those skeins together. I still have to start working on it, though, maybe my own advent calendar this year could be MAKING THE PATTERN XD

[@Shetooktothewoods]

What a great idea! I have some self-striping sock yarn in my stash and might knit a stripe a day from that. Thanks for the inspiration!❤

[@gayleyip6689]

This was great. I appreciate the pros and cons. Am trying one for Advent of 2024. I have trouble with SADS in the dark winters of Alaska and thought this would be a lot of fun inspite of the cons. I can always share some of the yarn with my crocheting family members or the knitting group.

[@charliechristie9916]

I got an advent last year, and it was definitely in my colours and I enjoyed the first few days, but then I realised how the gradient was going and suddenly it wasn't fun anymore. I ended up opening random windows instead of in order so it wasn't just a slight change from the day before.

[@esmaeross6426]

I love advent calendars, they're my treat to me! Last year I bought two, one from a dyer I've bought from before and the other purchase was based purely on the theme (Lord of the Rings) and gorgeous mood boards the dyer posted on Facebook. I knew from the mood boards the colours weren't really 'my' colours, but it was so beautifully presented I went for it anyway. The first advent was OK, but I'm still waiting to find the right project. As I suspected, the Lord of the Rings advent was full of colours I'd NEVER have chosen in a million years, but I LOVE them and have made the Grand Opening shawl by Stephanie Lotven. It's one of my favourite things ever and I had enough leftovers to make a scrappy sweater, so what a win!

[@noelleparris9451]

Woolen and Nosh colorways are gorgeous. But the cost....Makers should definitely be paid for their work and products. But the advent calendars would probably end up being exactly what you outlined: yarn I would end up using in a scrappy blanket or throw. I totally agree with the issue you mentioned of finding a solution to a problem that wouldn't have existed if the purchase hadn't been made. I am happy to enjoy them vicariously through the KZbinrs who post theirs 😊

[@valeriehowden471]

I purchased my first advent this year in April. It was only 1 full skein and 12 minis so not as much $. The dyer did have 6 advents, including a notions choice. I love little packages ... already have a tea advent lined up with a matching one to give to a good friend. The 100gram skein is not a mystery so that helps. It's sock yarn and I love stripey socks. If the colourway is not to my liking, I'll use it in a pair of gift socks. I wish there were more wool free sock yarns out their as my daughter is allergic to wool.

[@heatherkane5913]

Ooo! What tea advent are you doing?

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

I love a good tea advent! ❤

[@valeriehowden471]

@@heatherkane5913 Pukka in the red box (2023 edition).

[@valeriehowden471]

​@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS just discovered them last year. Yummy and cozy!

[@maryp1224]

thank you, thank you - you are very fair and cover all basis!.....I have had fomo about Advents and have only not gotten one because I felt guilty about spending that kind of money. I can buy enough full skeins for 2 sweaters! i have joined a monthly sock club which I enjoy much more than mini skeins and still get the surprise factor. I have bought a few packs of minis that I plan to use in a colorwork yoke but I got to choose the colors so that is much more justifiable to me.

[@knitty781]

I've spent time making yarn advent calendars for friends and my daughter. I didn't dye the yarn, but it still took a long time to put it together. I was very cognizant of the colors I put in and made sure to let the receiver know what each colorway/dyer was. The extra goodies were tools and interesting objects I picked up during the year with the calendar in mind. I have found that not everyone puts that kind of time and effort into building a yarnie advent. (I also do advents for my grands. They also take a long time.) I write down what colorways I put in the calendar and make sure they are in a logical order. Either a fade or a rainbow or complementary colors. I enjoy the advents I've received. I make socks with colorwork and small items for my grands for holidays (right now, I'm making Barbi mermaid outfits from my granddaughters) so colors that may or may not be in my wheelhouse are acceptable. They are expensive, but I purchased my first calendar this year and am excited to see it. I've done a lot of research on various calendars and tried to pick one I would be happy with without breaking the bank.

[@deborahcollins6249]

I am with you, Tayler. Unless you do a lot of colorwork or really small projects, the fun of opening a mini skein of yarn each day is outweighed by the subsequent “problem-solving” of finding the right project. I bought into this trend a few years ago and have not found a use for the mini skeins.

[@crochetingcatholic]

I bought the fibre and Fox advent last year and again this year. She does a fade and makes sure to release color boards so you know what to generally expect. When it’s other dyers who don’t share that I’m more hesitant since yarn interpreted from a picture can go in a million different directions

[@babbydinobat]

I love the idea of socks n sweaters…. For me an my kids

[@maureendesmarais6955]

I have a friend that has a yarn business so I buy her advent calendar. Summer Lee called her yarn one her top 5 favorites because her colors are sooo good. I have learned to buy calendars only from dyers that I already know I love their yarn and color ways. I LOVE the Sea Glass Tee so it's not finding a solution to a problem to knit that. I can't wait to knit their new cardigan version. I also LOVE stripes so again not an issue to use minis. With new grandbabies, I see making lots of striped sweaters with minis. I did buy a stitch market advent calendar but learned that I didn't like half of the markers so I won't do that again. Love the idea of swapping with other knitters to create advent calendars.

[@Viennagirl1120]

I bought one a couple years ago that tied in with my favorite Christmas movie. I had seen a podcaster talk about the Brioche Adventure Wrap, which is designed for advents, so that's what I knit, and it was complete by the end of January. I still have the leftovers, and I'm planning to make a matching hat at some point (I'm mostly a sock knitter, so the hat just hasn't hit the cast-on stage yet). It also happened to be a new to me dyer, which was fun to try out. I'm glad I had the experience, but I'm not in a hurry to grab another on any time soon. If I did I would probably go for the Woolens and Nosh striping one. I have a stash I'm happy with, and I like what I have. I'm trying to solve my scrappy problem to some degree, and it feels like an advent mostly adds to it, unless I buy with a pattern already in mind.

[@annies2416]

Great episode,Tayler! It gave me a lot to think about, I bought my first advent calendar years ago and was so disappointed when I opened each little package and it coordinated with a main skein in colors I would never use. The disappointment was bad enough but then the thought of the money I’d wasted, made me even sadder. Not the Christmas joy I expected.It’s still sitting in my stash, in its cutely numbered little bags, waiting for me to destash. I do like that some dyers are giving colorway hints which might entice me and the idea of the stripe a day sock advent is intriguing, but so far my attitude is never again.

[@vickibyrd7559]

Great discussion!!! Totally agree. I only purchased one Advent this year from Sew Sweet Violet because I love how she & Bryonne curate the calendars. 🎄

[@chriscollins5581]

Two items to consider 1) watch your purchase date verses the shipping date. Make certain that your refund window will still be there if something goes wrong and it doesn’t get shipped. 2) some companies will give you a preview option so that you can see the colors before purchase. I bought far enough ahead that I didn’t remember the specifics of the yarn by advent time. I also saved some money by getting just the yarn unwrapped and wrapped it myself. Just some things to think about.

[@KCYarnie]

I purchase yarn advent calendars with the express purpose of making blankets/wraps with a theme. That is why I filter through all of the options to find a theme I want.

[@conniedunfield7601]

I love listening to your podcast, I learn something new every time! The fun of opening a new color everyday, even ones not my personal preference sounds like a lot of fun. But the stress of trying to figure out what to knit with them, and maybe their suggestive patterns for the yarn may be more advanced than my level of knitting... "nay" for me.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Thank you so much for watching Connie. ❤❤

[@dostopitnow]

I purchased my first advent this year, probably because of fomo. I sometimes like scrappy projects, not blankets, but perhaps a cowl or hat. It may turn out to be my one and only, but at least I can say I tried it.

[@lindaromar2824]

FOMO is real and tough to deal with. A very good friend made, by herself, an Advent calendar for friends. The time she spent (as stated by her) was huge but I loved it. I was so excited each day to see which color came next. I have used some of the minis but not all, though I do have plans for most of the rest of the minis. Yarn Advent calendars will never be purchased by any of us due to cost and concerns about colors. It was so much fun to finally get one. In the future I hope to buy Advent calendars of other kinds for my guys. Things like candy or coffee or ….

[@danisbookshelf3167]

I love the idea of yarn advents, and they're so fun to see on social media! But I just can't bring myself to spend that much money without knowing exactly what colors I'm getting. I love when there's an opportunity to buy the advent later once I know what's in them!

[@jenniferhorrell2243]

I’ve never purchased an Advent Calendar due to cost and not wanting the commitment to figuring out what to do with it BUT I do watch Christmas vlogs and enjoy watching others open. Thank you for this video, very well done!!