So, another stocking

Yes, again..... I knit another one.

I like the traditional colour. I was thinking that this would be great for a family member, but I am not so sure now. That is another issue.... it's not that I don't think they will like it, I just think it will fit another family better.

I did a interesting inside detail, and I really like the way it turned out. What do you think?

I always make a flap that I tack down inside the stocking, previously I have done stripes but I thought this was a bit more fitting. I have a pot on the stove dyeing some green yarn for the next baby stocking.
Yes, another.
I have no idea what is wrong with me.

Did lots of things!

Wow, my Crafting was busy this past holiday season. Knitting was only part of it.

I know I am not alone, and I have a ton of stuff to share. But first I am going to show off a gift that I made for a swap.

We have done this in the past and it was great to get involved with the gang again. This is for a good friend who has moved up country and came back to join us for the gift exchange!
So it's a bit of a selection of goodies. A Coffee sugar scrub, knit hat in an alpaca blend, cute note book, some chocolate, leather bracelets made with "noodle beads" and a heat bag set.

I was really into the sugar scrubs this year, and made them for all the ladies in my family. They were a hit, and that made me really happy so I made this one inspired by a drink that we all enjoy at the end of a party night. (thanks J, you rock)
The final addition to the gift was a hand-painted shirt

I love painting shirts and I haven't done it in ages.... this was fun and inspiring, the colour is totally different in life. The paint actually has a combination of black and silver glitter and when you photograph it, the silver dispersal. Oh well..... the shirt was awesome and she loved it so I win!

Next year should be just as fun! Next post.... more things I did! LOL

Happy Holidays!

Hello folks. The prodigal blogger is back! LOL

I am well and I hope you are too. So far I have already enjoyed one fantastic Turkey dinner with good friends. What could be better? We still have three days of turkey and fun ahead! I hope for snow, however all that seems to be happening is really cold rain, so the dog is going to be disappointed if he wants a run today!

I am sorry to have had such a long hiatus, but I ran creatively dry and my computer finally gave up trying to even contact the outside world. LOL Ask how many friends were frustrated by my lack of e-mail response! Crappy.

Moving on, new computer and refreshed creative spirit, I wanted to have something to show off, but I neglected to take a photo of the Christmas stocking I knit for my nephew. I will see if I can get one from my sister to post. This one was hand-dyed green and white. I am quite proud, and I am debating getting a head start on the nest one just in case someone decides to have another munchkin! It was the only gift knitting I did. Oh, I did make two more pairs of slippers ( no I am not crazy) but that was a deal with my sister in law.This is a picture of what the stocking looked like to start. The beginning!

So Happy Holidays all, I hope to be blogging at least once a month, 

and getting caught up with your lives again. I have been up to some fun things and can't wait to share. Take care and enjoy the turkey!

A project update.

The time has come to knit a Christmas stocking!
Seriously.

Here is before

and this is where I am now....

Last year I knit up a stocking for my neice quickly. I decided I don't really want to be giving this stocking to my sister Christmas Eve. So, to make less stress for me, I am on my way.
What do you think? Getting a headstart on anything yourself? I have to admit that I am suprised at myself, getting a jump on things isn't always something I do. I am a procrastinator by habit, but this year I am trying to get away from that. Dicipline can be a good thing. Especially if you have a list of things that you want to get through for the year.

Two more quick things, I did some seed starting so I can get my garden begun. I need more soil in the actual physical space but, the seeds have to sprout before I need it. I have some time.

Also a girlfriend of mine got married this past weekend and my husband and I were happy to join them. A picture for you.....

Congrats!

Completed

Well, the stocking went well. I have been given rave reviews and lavish praise, which is great for my ego, but honestly I am just glad that my sister liked it. My niece won't care for a few years yet.

I guess I just want what all aunties and knitters who create things for children want. To create something that a child feels is special. Maybe they drag the blanket you knit around forever, or maybe the toy you make is the one that makes car rides go smoothly. To knit comfort into an object. In a way I have jumped that hurdle with this project and again in the new year when I knit the matching one for my nephew. It's a Christmas stocking, you only get one, and you know what it means when every year it gets pulled out of the decoration box. On that thought, I guess I should give her something to keep critters away. I would hate to see it ruined by little moth mouths.

A note on the pattern. The toe notes I found on ravelry I mentioned last post, but I didn't see any notes on the finishing method. This pattern calls for a turnover row and hem edge. Not a problem, except it wants you to continue in the box colours so there is a bit of a scalloped effect if you are not careful (I thought I was, but apparently not enough) and it asks that you fold it inside and tack down the live stitches. Not really possible using DPN's. So I turned the stocking out and tacked down the stitches that way. I felt that this was a good solution to the finishing, but that tacking down live stitches left a bit of waver in the end result...... so I may try to cast off then tack next time, that way I can pin it into position and hopefully eliminate any bunching.

 I don't think the scalloping of the edge is really any worry, at least not for me, I like it. If I hadn't told you it was an oops, the only way to know would be to find other projects. Any how, to finish it off before I gave it away, I rolled up a towel, stuffed it inside and gave it a good steaming with my iron. Worked like a charm. Hope your Christmas projects turned out well. I will have more next post. Happy New Year!

New Traditions

Last week saw me begin a new project. The first of two for sure……………Fireside Stocking (by Kate Gilbert) for my niece and nephew. Kettle dyed purple yarn, done with Wilton food dye, and white Patons Classic Merino Wool.

Any Knit Wits listeners can be assured that so far this stocking experience is not a pain in the behind (this is not a DREAD stocking), but it did start out a bit rough. I began this little number about six times. I had real problems with the toe chart. As soon as I was four or five rows in, the stitches began lining up oddly and the white/ purple dispersion was all wrong. Thanks to some helpful Ravelry folks I got around the problem. In the toe chart the increased stitches are marked on their respective rows. For the toe, an “M1” box in the pattern grid means the made stitch only, not a knit stitch plus a made stitch. Thank you aufildesjours for this notation.






That note on Ravelry saved this project. I seriously love the notes that people leave. Thanks for all the help you give when you make detailed notes!
I have liked this pattern since I picked up the Interweave Holiday Knits 2007, I am pretty sure it was the “tipping point pattern” that sealed the deal on my purchase of this magazine. I try not to buy magazines or books if I won’t make more than one pattern from them. I want value for my money! So naturally when my sister asked if I would be interested in knitting the Christmas Stockings for her kids I thought of this pattern. It means a lot to me that she asked me to make them. My sister has always been knitworthy. She always asks about care of gifts, and to my knowledge she uses what I give her and my niece all the time. My BIL I am unsure of, but he got a hat I was pretty proud of last year. So when a knitworthy family member asks for a knit item, I do my best to get it done for them. Stockings are a big deal. They have always held a special place in my heart and I think my siblings hearts too.

When we were kids, it was the only thing we were allowed to open at whatever crazy time we got up. Santa is an amazing stocking filler. Even now, if we are good we get a stocking filled. So to be part of Christmas memories from the beginning, to create something that will be part of the magic for years to come…… awesome.
I hope she likes it.