*Holiday Gift Guide --The Art of Knitting/Crochet 4 Kids Starter Kits Review and Giveaway*

A few weeks ago I mentioned on my Facebook page that I really wanted to learn to knit and crochet. Because of my blogging, I've been exposed to all these ladies who make adorable items and I want to be able to make them too! I've wanted to learn to knit and crochet for a while now and just haven't taken or had the time.

Well, I received an email from http://www.tricoastonline.com/ about their starter kits for teaching kids how to knit and crochet. Maggie is of course not old enough to learn yet, but I was excited at the chance to maybe finally learn myself and eagerly said "yes!" I figured, if they make it easy enough for a child to understand, then hopefully I can do it too (yes, I have watched videos on Youtube before trying to figure it out and always gave up).

Well, two neat starter kits arrived at my door (along with some adult needles they were nice enough to include) and I got to work right away learning how to knit. I started knitting first because everyone said it was harder. I watched the DVD and, can you believe it, I'm actually knitting!! Now, I DID have to rewind the DVD a few times to get the tricky parts down, but now that I'm doing it it seems SO easy! The project included in this kit is a ball that you knit. I must admit, I'm not finished it yet. Mainly because I have been working so hard on typing up all of these Holiday Gift Guide reviews/giveaways. That has kept me pretty busy! BUT, I'm so excited to take it easier over the holidays and finish up knitting this ball. I love to sit and knit while my husband and I watch movies at night (one of our favorite things to do!). It's fun to keep my hands busy and still be able to watch!

You'll notice in this picture that my yarn is a MESS! No, this will not happen if you follow the directions. It will however happen if you take a shower and let your daughter play in your bedroom while you are taking said shower. Lesson learned--knitting projects go up HIGH!

Now that I've conquered the knitting, I've moved onto crocheting. I must admit I haven't spent as much time on that yet. I got so into the knitting that I didn't want to stop and start something else, but I knew I needed to a little bit for this review. I don't know why I ever found them so hard. Crocheting is pretty easy as well and I've been able to pick it up thanks to these DVDs. I'm slowly moving along on my crochet bandanna project!

These DVDs are both great and they WORK! They were able to teach me what I needed to do and I was knitting and crocheting in under a half an hour each! I am really enjoying my new craft!! Although I am an adult, I think these DVDs would easily teach a child how to knit/crochet as well! They would make great gifts for anyone on your list who likes to be crafty!

If you are an experience knitter/crocheter, check out there large selection of videos and downloads of more advanced projects!

The nice people at TriCoast Online would like to giveaway a starter kit to one of you this holiday season. You get to pick which kit you'd like--knit or crochet! If you'd like a chance to win one of these for yourself or your child, just fill out this easy entry form. Good luck!