Christmas Sweater

When we had a October 29th snow storm it knocked down many tree limbs and we lost power for a full week. We kept warm and made sure we had enough food and it would have almost been fun if we had known for sure when the power was going to be back on. During the week I realized that the Little Tomato had no sweater. He had outgrown all of his sweaters and sweatshirts and similar items. He had a poncho and a jacket and a coat. While I did like seeing him run around in his poncho, I figured he could use a sweater.

Soon after power was back on I dug out some yarn and started a sweater for him. I had some superwash (machine washable) wool in a color he was willing to approve, it was just a little thin. I tried a swatch with it held double and it was almost close enough to work - so I paid attention and used the stitch count for the size larger than I wanted and all was good. I worked on and off for about 3 weeks and then finally finished.




He refused to put it on and then when I finally got him to wear it he insisted on wearing it every day for over a week. This, however, is the only picture I could get of him wearing it. (It does have a hood that he can put on, you just can't see it in the picture)

Brown Java Socks

I started these in April and didn't finish them until October. They didn't really take that long (although they are a bit fiddly), it's just that they kept getting put aside while I'd work on other things.



This is a pair of socks for my husband. Most of the ones I make for him are plain knit and rib, but every once in a while (once a year maybe?) I try to make him something a bit more complicated.



I knew this pattern would be crazy enough that it would need a very plain yarn for it. I had to buy two skeins so there would be enough to make a tall pair of socks, and in the craziness of looking for the yarn on ravelry I actually ended up with three skeins, so at some point I might make a pair for me!

Black Hood

Back in the early part of last year my sister-in-law asked, politely, if I'd be willing to make a scarf/hat for my brother for his birthday. Since his birthday wasn't until fall and she was willing to pay, I said, sure, I can do that. After looking at prices and materials we decided she would buy good quality yarn and pattern and I would donate my time cuz I love them and they like handmade things and treat them well.




We decided on this pattern that has a hood and an attached scarf....



In a color that can't go wrong with my brother, and can't help but improve his look.



It was a fun knit for me with a slightly different construction and (for those who understand knitting:) an I-cord edge that is knit at the same time as the scarf! So simple, but had never thought of the method.

I had my son pose with it so I'd have a picture of it on someone before I mailed it off. He, being three, was not so impressed.



I did have it finished and mailed before his October birthday, but I did cut it a little close!

Christmas Slippers

This year I made slippers for my girls using a pattern that is not meant to be felted. They seem to prefer this kind of 'sock slipper' more than the clog slippers they have had before. I managed to finish them before christmas and so I wrapped them up, even though each girl had seen me working on them.



I also managed to make a pair of slippers for my husband. I worked on them during the day while he was at work and then hid them each day before he got home. He knew I had bought the yarn, but was under the assumption that I would be making them after Christmas when things were calm. I still need to sew some fabric on to the bottom so they won't be slick, but they did felt to the right size!


And, not to be left out, the Little Tomato was also given slippers for Christmas - not made by me though! Lily had decided to make him some and stepped up the crafting time in order to get them done and under the tree before the big day.



That left me as the only family member without new slippers, but since I have two pairs that both fit and are still in good shape that was quite alright.

Rainbow Shawl

I still had a couple of slippers to finish for Christmas, so of course I pulled out the Rainbow yarn and shawl pattern I wanted to make for one of my girls and started that instead.

I did end up finishing this on the Wednesday *after* christmas, but since Curly didn't know it was for her that was not a problem. She had commented how much she liked it several times while I was making it. I had implied that the finished shawl would be for me.



I wove in the two ends and was planning to block it this week, but she *Really* wanted to wear it January 1st to church, and she seems to like it unblocked, so I don't know if I will. I'll plan to leave it for now. (For those who don't knit lace, blocking is when you would wet the shawl and stretch it out, pinning it to something and let it dry that way. It really helps to finish it off and let you see the pattern and enjoy a flat (rather than chinese noodle looking) shawl.