#50 - CHRISTMAS KNITS (OR, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER)

No, my Christmas knits were not late... but this post certainly is. Blogging was interrupted by knitting and holidaying and family and friends. I hope you all had a magnificent end to 2010 and are setting out plans for the year ahead. I have some big ones in mind, but in the meantime, here are the knits I've gotten off the needles since you heard from me last.

Dad's Christmas Hat: Impossibly simple and knitted in Paton's Classic Wool. I improvised a few stripes to match one of his winter jackets. Also must mention that this hat pattern, from Last Minute Knitted Gifts is best suited for gents with a big head (literally, not figuratively) - so it suits my papa perfectly. :)

Ravel it!

Best Friend Cowl: A knitted commission in Rowan Felted Tweed. I used some of my favorite vintage buttons on this to give the simple scarf pattern a fun twist. The lace pattern is easy to memorize and knits up quickly.

Ravel it!

Brother's Christmas Hat: Another easy, manly hat in Paton's Classic Wool. The Turn a Square pattern is a go-to for a deceptively impressive gift. Used solid colors this time around, but again, it matches his winter coat quite nicely.

Ravel it!

Mom's Lacy Christmas Cowl: A new #stashbustarmy project in one of my new favorite yarns, Lion Brand Nature's Choice Organic Cotton. Impossibly soft and squishy, I held the yarn doubled to equal a bulky weight. The color is lovely and I added one of my favorite vintage buttons from my stash to top it off. Mom has worn it countless times already, so I know it was a winner.

Ravel it!

Now, I'm focused on a new year of knits with some yarny resolutions, a few knit-alongs in store, stashbusting, and a something already off the needles. Lots to share in the coming days, but what has been in your crafty sights lately? I want to hear all about it.

Happy knitting!
xx

#49 - OFF THE NEEDLES

'Tis the season of gift knitting. Stressful, blasted gift knitting. I always make the fatal error of planning to knit far too many holiday gifts. Then, add a few commissions onto the pile and I'm in over my head. If I was wise, I'd start in August, but no, I wait until around Thanksgiving for the insanity to begin. Nonetheless, I'm attempting to pare down this year's list - small knits, in mostly chunky yarns, with very simple patterns. So unless you're willing to spend 80 hours on a gift for me and are patient enough to wait until February to receive your Christmas present, don't expect a lace shawl this year.

Ravel it!

But of course, I'm breaking my own ground rules straightaway. I knitted another Brambles, this time for a dear friend, in Cascade Eco Duo, which is an alpaca and merino blend. This time, I modified the beret by adding additional slouch and a faux buttonband.





It turned out cute and cozy, with a slight halo from the alpaca. I'm a tight knitter, so the loose twist on this yarn caused it to be a bit splitty for me, but the yarn is incredibly soft, so I'm willing to overlook it. I'm on a bit of a jag with this pattern, as I'm planning on knitting yet another one for myself with some extra slouch for the chilly months that are upon us.

Ravel it!

Luckily, I'm back on track with my plans - knitted up an Anthropologie-inspired scarflet for a family member's xmas present. This is done in Rowan Big Wool, and seriously, can Rowan just start producing awful, scratchy yarns? Maybe then I'd have a little more money in my bank account because this stuff was just a pleasure to knit. I really like the texture in this, and it was a fairly straightforward pattern. The scarflet still needs a little blocking to loosen up the stitches, but I think you get the idea with this photo. This will be super warm for the upcoming winter season.

Do you make gifts during the holiday season or just stick to shopping? If you do, what are your favorite gift patterns? I need some more ideas asap!

Until next time, happy knitting!!
xx

#27 - QUICK KNIT, QUICK POST

From Knitting, etc.

In-between schooling and working and being my general disorganized self, I quickly knitted up this fun, retro cotton hanging dish towel for one of my secret swappers. The colors aren't typical of me, but she loves anything bright and this is a perfect way to use up some stash yarn. I have some ideas for a few variations to start working up in some more muted tones to match my kitchen, but I love this one because it's so fun and colorful. What types of handmade goodies do you like to make for gifts?

#21 - BLOG PARTY SECRET STASH GIVEAWAY

The party's still going... and I wanted to give everyone a hint of the types of things that might end up in the Secret Stash Giveaway grab-bag! In honor of the Permission to Unwind blog party, simply leave a comment on any of my posts today to be entered in the contest. Don't forget to include your email address so I can contact you. Once a winner is selected at random, I'll chat with you about your crafting and your likes and dislikes to receive a package tailor-made for you. My crafting stash is so full of fun things, I'm sure I'll have something for everyone, whether it's yarn, fabric, notions, handmade goodies, and a little something special.

Those recipes are coming up, I promise! And wish the lovely Marie a happy day while you're at it!

#18 - MORE GIFTS TO MYSELF (FROM OTHERS!)

It's not often that I receive many knitting-related gifts, even though I spend so much of my time talking about and thinking about yarn. This is mainly because my family and close friends aren't crafters, and wouldn't have the slightest idea of where to begin. Usually I have to accompany my well-intentioned friends to the yarn store and choose a few items for myself, and I certainly cannot complain. And even though I doubt anything could top that boatload of Turkish yarn I received this past summer, I admit that a small yarny surprise would be nice every once in a while. But the people in my life rarely disappoint, and this winter has been plentiful with some knitty surprises.

From Knitting, etc.

It all began with my work supervisors, who shocked me with a holiday skein of local buffalo yarn from a nearby farm. I later learned that there were multiple buffalo farms in Maryland (I must be living under a rock!) and have planned to pay them all a visit when warmer weather arrives. I imagine this yarn will be perfect for a Springtime in Philadelphia beret. Many thanks to Missy and Jim for that completely unexpected gift - and Missy writes an excellent genealogy blog, so do give it a visit!

From Knitting, etc.

My parents also gave me the most excellent Christmas gift ever (aside from incredibly nice pajamas) - a drop spindle and hand-dyed batt from Pancake and Lulu! Although I haven't tried it out yet (mainly because I want to read the guides about twenty more times before I attempt it), I'm really excited since it's the first step to handspinning.

The final gift has yet to arrive, as if I need anything else. I won a special prize from Yellow Dog Knitting as their 500th follower on Twitter. I will be receiving yarn and a pattern for mittens in the coming days, so come back to check it out.

#13 - KNITTING IN SLOW MOTION

From Knitting, etc.

Everything is overwhelming me right now, so it makes sense that I start a knitting project that is simple and laid-back. Not to mention that it's the end of November, and I have yet to complete even one holiday gift. So, I've started up my first one - the Building Blocks Scarf from Interweave Holiday Knits.  I'm knitting this up in the gorgeous Nako yarn that a fine gentleman bought for me in Turkey this summer.  45 balls of this have been sitting in my stash, impatiently awaiting the right project, and I love this yarn in a dense garter stitch.  I think one of my lovely lady friends will like the saturated colors, the softness from the cashmere, and the slight sheen the bamboo brings.

Otherwise, my knitting progress is at a crawl, due to schoolwork and applications and exams and whatever else has landed on my plate until Wednesday.  Until then, I'll take a yarn break from time to time with this easy-to-knit scarf and hope I get some more projects on the needles soon!  What are your favorite handmade holiday projects?  I'm sure there are some amazing ideas out there that I've yet to see.

#12 - ETSY LUSTING

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade superhiprachel.etsy.com

hello friends.  in lieu of a post documenting some yarny progress, i wanted to share some of my favorite things for sale on etsy right now.  i could spend hours browsing the handspun yarns, unique jewelry, holiday knick-knacks, and fun accessories.  as always, i highly recommend etsy for holiday shopping - buy handmade, sustainable, thoughtful gifts for your friends and family!  and feel free to buy some of these lovely little items for me, wink.

there is some knitting in progress, including baby knits; holiday gifts; and a fun addition to the Jacques Cousteau hat, which was rather well received by its owner.  in the meantime, what are your current etsy faves?