Thursday, December 31, 2009

Still not done documenting Christmas

and we still have another Christmas to celebrate this coming weekend, weather permitting!

Do you think I got carried away with the Calorimetry pattern?


There is actually one that is missing from this. It was the original one I knit for my sister BEFORE the hair cutting ceremony! I ended up frogging it and making it into the first pair of fingerless mitts. You should have read ALL about that earlier this week! So technically, you have seen it -  just in another project!

The two on the left were for my nieces. I made them out of Rowan Cotton Jeans. The one that is slightly orange (third from left) is Artful Yarns Fable. Of course I liked working with that yarn, and now it is discontinued!

The one on the far right is the new one that now belongs to my sister. The sister with the now shorter hair! (love you sis!!)

I have yet to photo the bunny related items I received for Christmas...and yes I STILL can not upload photos on my computer. My DH is really treating me by uploading all these!

As for now, it is time to put away the computer, bring out the snack food to settle in and watch the ball drop. Onward to 2010!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Christmas for my SIL

I made my Sister-In-Law a scarf for Christmas.


Pattern: Drop Stitch Scarf
Yarn: Handmaiden SeaSilk
Colorway: Renaissance
Needles: Addi Turbo Lace US 6
Cast on: 26 stitches

This scarf made me nervous with all those YO's and I didn't fully appreciate the look those until I blocked it. It was then that the scarf really opened up and showed off its wonderful design.

We were unable to be with my SIL when she opened her present, however we were speaking with her when she did. I was SO relieved that she liked it!

Yes, I do have more knitted gifts to blog about...stay tuned for next time!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Christmas gifts for others

I told you I've been a busy knitting elf this year! I've really enjoyed it. I feel that I have brought my knitting to the next level. Just like the f@cebook group I joined "I knit to stay sane!' While that may relate to my feelings many days, knitting for me is my calm in between my storms. I think you, even if you do not knit, can truly relate to that statement. With that said, what else did I knit for Christmas this year you ask?

I made this for my Gram:


Pattern: Baktus
Yarn: Sugar Bunny Boulevard Emeline
Colorway: Red Shoes in Autumn
Yardage: 400 yards (less than .07g left - thank goodness for the scale!)
CO: 4 stitches
Needles: Hiya Hiya US 7

As my Mom wore purple to Christmas, Gram wore red...so, this went well with what she was wearing. It was so funny, all this matching to your knitted present!


I've been asked what did I get for Christmas, well for starters my DH purchased the Knit Picks Harmony Wood Needle Set! I've started knitting a Chevron scarf with the US 4's and they are just wonderful needles! This cotton just slides right over them and the joints are just so smooth and the tips are perfectly pointy -  it is just wonderful!

The DH also gave me some Tussah Silk so I can try my hand at thrumming! I really can't wait to start that, although I have to finish this scarf and would like to finish the Tuscany shawl first!

I also received the page a day calendar by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. I really enjoyed this years so I can't wait to see what she has to say next!

I'll have to share my rabbit presents next time!

Monday, December 28, 2009

Christmas Knitting take 2

Oh yes these hands were knitting fast and furious to keep in line with the goals to provide each female member of the family a handmade gift for Christmas.

I can now fully share some of them with you, as we still have 2 Christmas celebrations to go.

Here is the scarf I knit for my mother:


Pattern: Amy Singer's Bailey
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Pearl
Colorway: Black Purl
Yardage: 220 yards (a smidgen left!)
CO: 22 stitches
Needles: Addi Turbo Lace US 6

I know I've said this before but I LOVE this yarn! It was ironic that Mom came to Christmas with a purple sweater and it matched quite nicely!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Christmas for my sister

I originally knit my sister a Calorimetry. This would have been back a few months ago. You know how I've blogged about my love of this knitted project. How the Calorimetry works well with people with really long hair yet keeps them warm.

Well, she went and cut her hair quite drastically....so the calorimetry got re-knit a bit thinner. I sewed the button on, tried it on myself a few times and I was pleased with the fit (her and I have about the same length hair now). So far so good!

My sister loves cute pigs as much as I love rabbits. So, I found this company that is featured on the Ph@ntom Gourmet. It is the When Pigs Fly bakery . I bought her this cute mug that changes pictures when a hot beverage is placed in the cup. The black pigs turn into small pink pigs with wings! Too cute!!

(no idea why that is not turning correctly!) So, I THOUGHT she was done for Christmas. A handmade gift and a little purchased gift. Check her off the list.

Then, she just happens to mention that when I get good enough to knit fingerless mitts she wants a pair. Good enough? (yes that was the exact term she used!) Well, you know me and challenges. I was determined to make her a perfect pair of fingerless mitts. I mean come on how hard can be be, I've made 3 pairs of socks, I know how to knit in the round.

The issue was that I didn't know what type of fingerless mitts she wanted and it isn't like I wanted to ask her details. Do I make individual fingers, or just an individual thumb, fancy pattern or basic rib...decisions decisions.

Well, I tried one mitt via DPN's. It wasn't going too well. In my sock knitting I was always had a knit stitch between the two needles, while the pattern for the fingerless mitts was a purl. I was having too much give between needles. So, I worked the pattern knitting them flat and figured I could test out my seaming abilities. Now that was going to be my challenge!

Off I went, one prototype pair of mitts later and my seaming was turning out much better on the second mitt. Off to make the final pair!

Now she was officially done! Thank goodness, as I still had a couple of more handmade items to finish.

Christmas Eve came and I received a call from her, she had just been presented with an engagement ring from her long time BF. So, now I was over the moon with that fabulous news, as I knew that fingerless mitts were going to go over big since she could keep her hands warm yet show off her ring at the same time! Score one for the knitter!

Christmas Day her BF presents her with a coffee machine, score two - as I got her a pig mug!

As it all turned out for the best, I do believe she liked her gifts, and the stories that went along with them.


I have to say, I'm SO excited for her on this big change in her life. She deserves something great and I do believe she has the right partner for life! Of course, we do have a photo of her ring (disregard the beaded ring in front, as it is holding on her engagement ring from falling off!)

Now should I go back and make a third pair of fingerless mitts with a hole in them, so the ring can show through?

Somehow I do not think so!

As for what I received for Christmas....I'll tell you next time along with more of my handmade Christmas gifts.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Waterford what?

Yes, a Waterford Bowl is my current yarn bowl. My DH really thinks I'm a yarn snob now! He even said so. In turn I told him he is being blogged.The bowl isn't something I would have purchased for myself. It was a gift from my company for hitting a milestone length of employment.

What is in the bowl at the moment?

Pattern: Tuscany by Amy Singer
Yarn: Handmaiden Seasilk
Colorway: Pumpkin
Needles: Addi Lace US 6
CO: 4 stitches

I just realized that I have some weaving in of the ends to some Christmas presents. So, bring on the snowstorm that is scheduled to hit us and bring out the Chibi and off I go...

Friday, December 18, 2009

Another WIP

Here is the Baktus I am working on. It is a great knit at night after a long crazy day. I love the cheerful colors of it!Pattern: Baktus
Yarn: Sugar Bunny Boulevard
Colorway: Red Shoes in Autumn
CO: 4 stitches
Needles: Hiya Hiya US 7

The base of this yarn is cotton, nylon & bamboo. It has a great squishy feeling to it. I love that I've found a yarn that I'm not allergic to that is hand dyed!

I also am rewarding myself with casting off on my Ishbel. I've wanted to knit one for about a couple months now. However, I didn't want to get into knitting something for me when I still have some gifts to finish and get so tied up in this that I leave the other items for last minute. So, I only allowed myself to knit a couple of rows at a time in between the gifts.

So far it is working!
Pattern: Ishbel
Yarn: Seasilk by Handmaiden
Colorway: Periwinkle
CO: 3 stitches
Needles: Hiya Hiya US 4mm

I'm truly in love!

I know I say this about all my projects, but when you you see a hank of yarn, pick a pattern and start knitting...soon enough, you have this handmade item that shows itself to you as something beautiful, you can't help but smile and fall in love with it!

You knitters out there know EXACTLY what I mean.

This bunny is one of the tiny ones I have. It is only about 2 inches from tip to tail! It is ceramic and hangs beautifully off my handmade Grandfather clock (yes, made by my Grandfather!).