Knitted Christmas Presents....part 2

So my sister-in-law was also given a couple of scarves...

The yarn on the left is Cascade Fixation, while the right is Panda Cotton Bamboo. These were a fun little knit. Maybe next time they will get hats!

The next picture really needs no explaination:

I had all three recipients open them at the same time and I do believe the house was shaking from all the laughing. It was just what was needed!

I've already CO my next project for a very special event coming up. I'll take some photos and show you next time!

Knitted Christmas Presents....part 1

I know I said earlier this year I was spending the year knitting for myself. However, I knew it really wasn't going to happen. I bargained with myself that I would knit one special item and a few little ones.

So, for my special item, I decided to gift the Le Petit Pont scarf. I truly am in love with this scarf, as you heard me say a few times this past fall, the pattern was great, the yarn was dreamy. Off to my nephew's long time girlfriend's home it went. She has beautiful brown hair and I know it will be in a good home.

The next couple of gifts were sent across the country. I used the Dish Rag Tag pattern. I know they will be used for many a dishes!

I also was able to knit up the martini dishcloth for my sister-in-law. I now want to make myself one.

I totally ran out of time, so it went out the door unblocked so I could also knit her a little something else to keep warm. However I'll have to keep you in suspense until tomorrow...

Merry Christmas

A little yarn candy

My MIL had an interesting way to present me with a Christmas gift. I opened up a package and in it was a ball of yarn.

You know the kind, you start off winding it around one of your fingers and keep going until it is the size of a baseball or melon?! In fact being that it is so dense you could probably do some damage if it got a good wack to send it sailing!

I asked if I could cheat in the unwinding process. I mean we had a meal to eat and all, let us not delay food. So, out came the trusty old winding machine, the ball went into a box at my feet and a winding I went. I ended up with a very tiny box and in it was a bit of money specifically for the purchase of yarn.

So, off to one of my favorite yarn shops I go: The Loopy Ewe! I use a bit more funds from another gift certificate I received and scored these two gems:

Yarn: Handmaiden Sea Three
Colorway: Twilight
Weight: Worsted
Yardage: 254 yards

I'm in love! These colors are right up my alley...the medium to dark blue and then the black. Well, between those two colors you have accounted for 92.6458% of my work wardrobe!

I have a few patterns I'm thinking of using these for. I'll keep you posted. As you know I have a shawl and scarf that need attention.

Christmas Finale

We celebrated our final Christmas tonight. So, here are the final knitted gifts.

This was my secret project from earlier this year. It was for my mother-in-law.

Pattern: One Row Scarf by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
Yarn: Schaefer Yarn Sandra
Colorway: Empress Wu Zhao
Yardage: 222 yards
Needles: US 7 mm
Co: 26 stitches

You may remember me blogging about that scarf earlier this year. I documented it in black and white, as to not give anything away.

The next scarf was for my DH's Aunt. Her name begins with the letter "P". This is the one I documented after I learned to design my own shawls thanks to Amy Singer!

Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Cotton
Colorway: Blush
Needles: US 9mm
Yardage: 170 yards
Co: 28 stitches

Now that this holiday is over time to start thinking about next years! :-)

Actually I have a tuscany shawl and chevron scarf that need to be completed. They have both been given a back seat throughout this holiday season.

The weather calls for snow from tonight straight through until Sunday. I will be knitting away and singing "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

Handmade Christmas

As is my normal custom, I made a couple of people handmade items for Christmas. One of the items I was very proud of this year was this necklace:Sorry for the awful photo! As is also my custom, the gift was not ready until the last minute and I had to take a photo without the light tent, so it could be wrapped and handed off for delivery in mere minutes.

I bought the SS box chain, the SS pendants and I used my stamping die kit (see the blog here). It took me a few practice tries to get the actual stamping to come out correctly. I highly recommend the 1lb hammer that she sells on her website.

I did not use the liver of sulfur she recommends to produce the black effect within the stamped letters. I went instead with a Sharpie pen and sterling silver cloth cleaner. It works quite well...although it will need to be repeated with excessive wearing.

The Swarovski crystals are the kids birthstones. I do hope the recipient enjoys it!

My DH and I had quite a quiet Christmas this year. We opened gifts when we got up and spent the rest of the day watching some movies that Santa had left.

I did receive a couple of items that were on my list. I loved this mug when I saw it from Rohanknitter. DH was able to purchase one from our local Starbucks.He also purchase a couple of items from one of my favorite stores:I've also taken another photo of my bunnies around the house. I'm staying with ones from the tree, as it will be taken down shortly. This is a hand sewn rabbit. Her dress is crocheted.

Be sure to come back, as I'll be showing off more handmade Christmas gifts as the recipients receive them!

It's the holiday season

well, technically it is between Christmas and New Years! Our mini vacation was wonderful!! We did relax and I did get some knitting done.

In fact I finished a project. Unfortunately, it isn't the socks that I wanted to get done. However, my special little girl's baby has a blanket. I mean shouldn't all baby dolls have blankets?I did an interesting pattern on it. I actually knit it in a few different sections then knit them together. It was a quick (did I really make something quick in knitting?!) little knit that I hope she enjoys!

I did get the heel flaps done on the socks, I made three rings for Christmas presents and a necklace. We have finally finished celebrating with everyone, so here are the homemade presents:
I made one for my Mother, Grandmother and Sister. They each matched an article of clothing that they were given for Christmas.

I also made up a necklace for my GF. This necklace matched a bracelet and earring set she received earlier this past year. I wanted her to have a complete set. I also received some wonderful items. I got a laptop bag, which has been renamed to current knitting project bag. It is a perfect size, one side holds my book and sock blockers, the other side holds my yarn, while the pocket in the front holds the little things (chibi, crochet hook, stitch markers etc.).I also received a ball winder, of which I've already put to good use! Also, the Last Minute Knitting Gifts and Mason-Dixon Knitting books!! Now I really need to get these socks done, so I can start on some of the great projects in these books!

I wish all of you a Happy New Year!