Mention “Mardi Gras” and New Orleans immediately springs to mind. But America’s oldest celebration is in Mobile. More family-friendly than debauched spree, it’s a great chance to party with or without your kids, since unlike its Creole cousin, at Mobile’s Mardi Gras everyone stays clothed!

Mardi Gras beads, best worn in large numbers, are the inspiration for these fun felted bangles. A great stash-busting project, each bracelet uses about 25 yards of sport weight wool and however many size 6/0 glass beads you want. Inexpensive hard plastic bangles are used as a “resist” sewn into the simple, flat-knit piece. The whole thing is tossed into the washing machine and voilà— it’s Mardi Gras Madness. They’re fast and fabulous for gift knitting as well.