Thinking about joining this year’s Advent Calendar with Toni Lipsey and Mama Gwen? 🎄✨In this blog post, we’ll answer all your questions! 🙋♀️❤️
There’s nothing more cozy and magical than an Advent Calendar in December. 🎄 It’s the ✨ perfect ✨ countdown to Christmas!
And can we just say, we REALLY recommend joining the Advent Calendar for crocheters and knitters this year 😍. Behind the Advent Calendar is the incredibly talented Toni Lipsey (also known as TL Yarn Crafts) and her wonderful mom, Mama Gwen. Oh, we know! Somebody pinch us! 🥹
In this blog post, we’ll answer some of the most common questions you’ve been asking us. We really hope you’ll join in – it’s always such a delightful experience 🤗🎁
What would you like to know?
Click on the questions below to jump straight to the answer. 🤗
1. What is an Advent Calendar?
2. Who designed the patterns?
3. What’s inside the Advent Calendar?
4. Are the patterns the same for crochet and knitting?
5. Are the patterns holiday-themed?
6. What languages are the patterns available in?
7. When will the patterns be released?
8. How do I receive the patterns?
9. What’s the difficulty level?
10. Will there be video tutorials for the patterns?
11. Do the Advent Calendars include crochet hooks or knitting needles?
12. How can I share the experience and connect with other participants?
13. Is the Advent Calendar allergy-friendly?
14. When will the Advent Calendar be delivered?
15. Can the Advent Calendar be sent as a gift?
16. Can the Advent Calendar be returned?
1. What is an Advent Calendar?
An Advent Calendar is a super fun way to countdown to Christmas. ⏳ In the package, you’ll get four project bags—each containing an exciting new project designed just for this year’s Advent Calendar. The bags are numbered, and here’s how it works: you simply open one bag every Sunday leading up to Christmas. 🎄
Psst! Pro tip from someone who’s experienced a lot of Advent Calendars over the years: don’t open the bags ahead of time—it’s way more fun to keep the surprise and excitement going each week! 🎁
So, you’ll get 4 packages—one for each Sunday in Advent. That means 4 exciting, engaging projects to enjoy as you get ready for Christmas! Brilliant, right? (Not to toot our own horn, but we think it’s pretty awesome! 😉)
2. Who designed the patterns?
This year’s Advent Calendar is designed by Toni Lipsey from TL Yarn Crafts and her mom, Gwendolyn Jones. Toni created the four crochet patterns for the crocheters, while Mama Gwen designed the four knitting patterns for the knitters.
Want to learn more about this dynamic duo? Check out this blog post where Toni and Gwen give a sneak peek into this year’s projects and share what it’s been like working together as a creative mother-daughter team.
You can also get to know Toni Lipsey better here: Meet the Designer: TL Yarn Crafts.
3. What’s inside the Advent Calendar?
We obviously can’t reveal too much about what’s inside the Advent Calendar—it would spoil the fun, right? 😅
But we can tell you that the four bags contain yarn for the four projects and a few extra surprises. 💕
Everyone who buys the crochet Advent Calendar will get the same yarn and colors. The same goes for the knitters’ Advent Calendar. However, the yarns and colors are different between the crochet and knitting calendars. Thinking what we’re thinking? Why not go for both Advent Calendars! (Just saying) 😍
And since Toni designed the crochet patterns and Mama Gwen crafted the knitting patterns, you definitely won’t be bored if you do both: “I encourage makers to get both advent calendars to get a real taste of how we design,” says Toni. Okay, if Toni says so! 🛍️*adds both Advent Calendars to cart*
So, while you can’t choose the yarns and colors yourself, we’re confident that Toni and Gwen have picked the perfect shades and some fabulous yarns that many of us already love. 💕
Allergic to wool? Read more here.
4. Are the patterns the same for crochet and knitting?
The projects in the crochet Advent Calendar are different from those in the knitting Advent Calendar.
While we don’t want to give away too much about the projects in each calendar, you might catch a hint or two in the pictures below.
The Crochet Advent Calendar includes four exciting projects designed by Toni Lipsey … 🤭👇
And the Knitting Advent Calendar has four intriguing projects, all crafted by Mama Gwen … 🤩
Looks like something for you? Grab your Advent Calendar HERE (Psst: limited stock) 🛒
5. Are the patterns holiday-themed?
No, the patterns aren’t traditionally Christmas-themed. However, some of the accessories in the bags have a cozy winter vibe. 😊❄️
Toni and Mama Gwen have designed 4 crochet patterns and 4 knitting patterns that go beyond the holiday season and can be used all year round: “While the patterns are meant to be opened and worked on as you countdown to Christmas, they can be used well beyond the holiday season,” Toni emphasizes.
6. What languages are the patterns available in?
All patterns are available in several languages, including English, German, Dutch, French, Spanish, Italian, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, and Polish.
As for the pattern videos (yes, there will be videos!), Toni speaks in English, but don’t worry—we’ve made sure there are subtitles in all the languages listed above. ❤️
7. When will the patterns be released?
You’ll receive the patterns one by one, so you’re ready to start a new project each Sunday.
The four Sundays of Advent are the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Check it out:
1st Advent Sunday December 1st
2nd Advent Sunday December 8th
3rd Advent Sunday December 15th
4th Advent Sunday December 22nd
Oh, we can’t wait to get started!
8. How do I receive the patterns?
You can find the patterns by scanning the QR code in each bag. Plus, if you bought the Advent Calendar, we’ll also send you an email with the pattern on every Advent Sunday. 📬
However, if for some reason you’re not registered in our system (we’ve had some mischievous elves at work before), feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].
You can always find the patterns on our website too: Find the patterns right HERE.
Psst! The page will be updated 😉
9. What’s the difficulty level?
Everyone can join in on the Advent Calendar fun! Toni and Gwen will guide you through each design with ease. The mother-daughter duo has carefully crafted the Advent Calendar to ensure that the patterns are manageable while also giving you a peaceful break during the busy holiday season. 🎄
“Each project uses fun stitches and techniques, but they’re not too complicated,” says Toni. “We hope crafters use these advent calendars to carve out quiet moments during the hustle and bustle of Christmas time.”
Read more about what Toni and Gwen have to say about the Advent Calendars here: Craft Your Way Through December with Toni & Mama Gwen.
The overall difficulty level is aimed at intermediate crocheters and knitters, but with Toni and Gwen’s detailed guides, even beginners who are up for a challenge can take part in the Advent magic. ✨
10. Will there be video tutorials for the patterns?
Absolutely! Every Advent Sunday, you’ll get access to videos on YouTube (Psst! You can also find the videos on our blog) 🎬
In the videos, Toni explains the patterns, and if you already know Toni, you’ll know she’s an amazing teacher and a true yarn guru! 😍 Get ready to be excited!
11. Do the Advent Calendars include crochet hooks or knitting needles?
No, the Advent Calendars don’t come with crochet hooks or knitting needles, so get your tools ready—you’ll be needing them soon! 😄
For the Crochet Advent Calendar, you’ll need hooks in the following sizes:
- 3.25 mm (US D/3)
- 4.00 mm (US G/6)
Missing a size? Find it here: Crochet Hooks
Psst! One of the patterns in the Crochet Advent Calendar uses Tunisian crochet, but don’t worry—you’ll get the Tunisian crochet hook in the calendar. 😉
For the Knitting Advent Calendar, you’ll need circular needles in the following sizes and lengths:
- 3.50 mm, 80 cm /US 4, 32”
- 4.00 mm, 50 cm /US 6, 20”
- 4.50 mm, 100 cm / US 7, 40”
- 5.50 mm, 50 cm /US 9, 20”
Missing one or more circular needles? Find them here: Circular Needles
12. How can I share the experience and connect with other participants?
A cozy Advent Calendar is meant to be shared! 🥰 Join our Facebook group where you can share WIP photos, tips and tricks, and ask questions to other participants.
Go to the Facebook Group here ➔
Please note that the Facebook group is not managed by Hobbii. It’s a space for participants to share WIP (work-in-progress) photos and help each other. If you have a question for us, feel free to email our customer service at [email protected].
We’d also love to see your projects and progress on Instagram. Use the hashtags #hobbiiadvent2024 and #bytoniandmamagwen – and don’t forget to tag us: Hobbii @hobbii_yarn, Toni @tlyarncrafts, and Mama Gwen @bygwensdesign.
13. Is the Advent Calendar allergy-friendly?
The Advent Calendar contains two projects with wool, so it’s not suitable for those with allergies or sensitivities to wool fibers. 🐑 This applies to both the crochet and knitting Advent Calendars.
We don’t have a wool-free Advent Calendar, but if you’d still like to crochet or knit the beautiful designs, you’ll find yarn alternatives in the patterns once they’re released. Unfortunately, we can’t send the patterns to you ahead of time.
14. When will the Advent Calendar be delivered?
We’ll start packing and shipping your Advent Calendar as soon as you complete your order. 📦🏃♂️ Delivery time depends on where you live, but you can expect it to arrive within 4-8 business days (for UK 2-3 business days) Read more about delivery here.
15. Can the Advent Calendar be sent as a gift?
Of course! We can’t think of a sweeter or more thoughtful gift. 🫶
You can send the Advent Calendar as a gift by adding the recipient’s address under shipping details when you check out. Unfortunately, we can’t wrap the gift for you.
Don’t worry—we won’t put the invoice in the package! 🤭
If you run into any issues, feel free to contact our customer service team. Send us an email at [email protected].
16. Can the Advent Calendar be returned?
You can return the Advent Calendar as long as you haven’t used any of the items. Make sure you return every item of the Advent Calendar. Read more about our return policy here.
Didn’t get an answer to your question?
If you didn’t find the answer you were looking for in this blog post, feel free to reach out to our customer service—we’re here to help! 🥰 Send us an email at [email protected].
Get Your Advent Calendar Here!
There’s still time! ⏰ Just choose whether you want to crochet or knit:
Or maybe both? 😜
