Here's the hat I knit for M for Christmas! He chose the pattern, Northern Lights, and blue and yellow (U of M colors) wool from my stash for the main colors. He told me to surprise him with the other colors. I ended up starting this about four times before getting it right. I cursed it for a while but I'm happy with the way it turned out. I'll also have to check what happened there where it looks like there is an orange stitch that should be green.... I didn't notice that until I was just looking at the picture on the screen. I'll have to duplicate stitch over it in green. I must have been half asleep while knitting that part. Heck, I think I was half asleep while knitting the whole thing.The rest of my holiday gift making was rather mundane like crew socks for the members of the family who wear sandals all winter. Other gifts were knit and shared earlier in the year - potholders, mitts, and mittens. Oh, and I did photo calendars for the family again this year too.
Handmade Holiday - received
I like receiving handmade gifts as much as I like giving them.This year, B's mom gave us some beautiful embroidered pillowcases. Just look at those pretty satin stitched leaves!My grandmother used to keep me supplied with embroidered pillowcases but most of the ones she made for me are quite worn and tattered. It is nice to have some fresh cases made by B's mom.She also knows that purple, green, and gold is my one of my favorite color combinations.
Aren't these pretty?P got this cute beaded snowflake ornament from her cousin, F. She had mentioned when we decorated the tree that handmade ornaments were one of her favorite gifts to receive!
My sister made this soft striped scarf for D. I am sure it will help him stay warm this winter. He doesn't much like hats because they don't fit well over a pony tail so a scarf is good for him.
Handmade Holiday
Here are a few of the handmade gifts given this year. This little sweater is for a doll.
I made one of these ascots a few years ago and really like it. The pattern is from a workbasket magazine from the 1940s. This one is made from alpaca. I should have looked in the mirror before taking the photo because I didn't have it on quite right.
There is just one toe left to knit on D's Christmas socks. I think I can finish that today.
B helped out a bit with our handmade gifts too. I couldn't find a frame that I liked for this print so he made one from some walnut he had in the basement.
He used old glass from a barn window and an old violin string for the hanging wire.
I think it turned out great.I also consider my calendar handmade since I took the pictures. We gave a few of those too.I think we did well to have a mostly handmade holiday.edit: The print came from Jenny's Bake Shop on etsy. She has them in different sizes and colors.
Something in the Air
I love the flurry of creative activity that occurs in the last days before Christmas. Everyone in the family seems to be working on projects.D made this origami crane. Tiny. VERY tiny.
P has cranked out a few of these little cats on her sew handy sewing machine and filled them with rice. I think they turned out super cute!
Here is a peek at one of my recent projects.
I'm still working on this one.
Yep, we love all of the holiday crafting.It's time to put my feet up and knit....I hope you are keeping warm and doing things that you like to do.
Guest Blogger
How to make Christmas ornament gifts. by P.
First tear out a page from a colored coloring book. Then, cut the things out. Poke a hole in the cut out with a needle. Thread the needle and put it through the hole. Then take off the needle and tie the thread.
Keep them in a display until it is time to wrap them up for Christmas. Then you have to clean your desk.
(so easy a four year old can do it!)
