For people who like to make things, planning for the winter holidays often begins months in advance with visions and fantasies of unique gifts and decorations--and plenty of time to finish them. In Handknit Holidays, best-selling author Melanie Falick presents knitters with an eclectic collection of more than 50 original projects for Christmas, Hanukkah, and the winter solstice, to keep them busy and inspired year-round. Created by top knitwear designers, the offerings include colorful ornaments; funky and classic Christmas stockings; a wire-and-bead menorah; sparkly ribbon scarves; a poncho and matching dog sweater; and a range of super-quick projects for the last-minute holiday rush. Rounding out the volume are a few grand projects--an Aran tree skirt, a patchwork afghan, a lace shawl--destined to become family heirlooms, plus lively features on such topics as the origin of the Christmas stocking, the meaning of the winter solstice, knitting for charities, and strategies for completing holiday knitting (on schedule!).