christmas knitting galore

I have been really busy with the Christmas and not Christmas, but near Christmas knitting. Huh? you say? My dad's birthday was last week so I was knitting something for him and I came across the cute capelet from Scarfstyle and had the perfect and just had to make it for my daughter for christmas gatherings.


Ok so here goes...
First off there are the fingerless gloves that I made for Dad. I didn't have any actual measrements for him, I just knew he had rather large hands so I made them to fit my husband only a tad bigger. For the pattern, I just made it up as I went along. A little like the gloves from Ann Budd and a little like the ones from Handknit Holidays. The yarn I used was Patons new Rumors yarn which is partly acrylic and alpaca. It is so soft and fun to knit with, I think I may have to make a sweater out ot it. Plus the acrylic content is just enough that it makes a safer wash for those that don't cater to fibers like some of us.



Next up is the capelet that I made for my daughter from Scarfstyle. I wasn't planning on making this until after the holidays but then I came across this candy cane colored yarn that had one strand of fuzzy white acrylic and one strand of red and white rayon in just the right yardage and just thought it would be perfect. How could I resist but to cast on immediately? It was such a fun knit. I have discovered that short rows are one of the most fun things to knit. I probably finished it up in about 4 days of off and on knitting and instead of the garter stitch cord that the pattern called for, I made a 2-stitch i-cord for the ties. I like the more finished look of that better. I am really pleased with how this turned out and she is too! I think keeping the edges from curling under might be a bit of a chore but it was easy enough to iron flat (pin blocking didn't do the trick at all!). The final product is just enough fuzzy and just enough shiny that it urned out great to put over the top of holiday dresses.



The last item I can share with you today was gifted yesterday so it is safe to show. I made the triangle scarf from Handknit holidays for my cousin with a matching meathead hat. I totally followed the pattern and it was a quick fun knit as well. It was my car project for our drive to Thanksgiving. The yarn I used was another new patons yarn called SWS. It is a half wool, half soysilk yarn and is really soft. It also does some self-striping like Noro which is nice. At the store they had samples of it that had been felted and not and both were equally nice so I think next I may have to make something out that to felt.


So anyway, busy busy here. I have several more knitting projects to go but am not feeling to overwhelmed. I think because I have piced things that are not too ambitious and I feel confident that I can finish. Good luck to all you other knitters out there who are still knitting away!

Well the holidays are in full swing now and the festivities have begun. We have been really busy over the last few days with all kinds of things. Our highlight over the weekend was the annual Christmas Cookie Exchange that we have every year with our group of friends. Everyone brings a homemade cookie to share and a copy of their recipe for everyone to take home. There were some wonderful cookies to taste. Our contribution for this year were some Christmas tree cookies that are a traditional German recipe that has been passed down in my husband's family and really the only cookie my husband says you need for a holiday celebration. I wanted to also have a cookie that H could help me make so we dipped pretzel rods in chocolate and then decorated them more. We all ate way too much sugar and I can honestly say I felt blah the next day because of it, but that's what the holidays are for right?