New WIP's

As promised, here are the new projects I started last week. They are both scarves so I was obviously craving the simplicity of a project that required no shaping and could be quickly worked. Similar to the unfinished green sweater, the first scarf is also using yarn I got two Christmases ago, and the pattern comes from the same Vogue Knitting magazine. I had started several projects with this yarn and was never very impressed since I didn't ever get far. I believe I have finally found the perfect project for this yarn.

I love the broken rib pattern at the beginning and have a feeling it will be showing up again as I have started itching to design something new! I can’t wait to see this scarf finished, I'll let you know how it turns out.

The second scarf is the Honey Cowl and I am hoping it will be an acceptable replacement to the infinity scarf I gave Megan for Christmas that makes her break-out. No more acrylic yarn in her gifts! 

I think the pattern is beautiful and love that it won’t need to be blocked since it's basically a modified garter stitch and won't curl up on itself. I am, however, slightly worried that it will not be long enough. I an trusting, for now, that it will be as long as it looks in the top picture once I get it off the needles, but I still have a hard time gauging my stitches for projects that are bunched up on a circular needle until they’re done and you can really stretch them out. 

On the plus side, you can see after only one day of knitting I was nearly halfway done so even if it doesn't end up being as long as I’d like, it won’t take long to whip up a second (or third, or fourth!) once I've got the stitch count right.

Nothing to Show for Christmas

Last year was extremely busy for me. The teaching gig I so enjoyed last spring has morphed into an actual job, in a good way, and I am currently tackling my third subject in three semesters. Basically what that means is I haven't had the pleasure of re-teaching a course, for various reasons, and have been unable to re-use all of the lectures/quizzes/projects etc I've developed for each class. Some were more work than others, and fortunately this semester's class requires less of my time to prepare which means I've had a little more time for knitting!

So for the past 9 months or so I have been teaching as well as getting back into an architecture firm that has been more or less keeping me busy on an hourly basis so I can maintain my teaching schedule. Throw in the typical end of the year holiday craziness that is buying gifts, baking cookies, making handmade presents, and decorating the house, and I regret to inform you that I failed to take a single photo of my handiwork this year.

I can tell you that despite the time crunch, I did complete a gift for everyone on my list, and for at least three of them, there is at least a pattern I can reference to show you.

Socks for Aunt Mary came from the Quick Sneakers pattern and were really cute in a green and blue colorway.

  

I made these headbands for several of the ladies on my list after a friend raved about the matching ones I made for her and her daughter.

I then proceeded to make myself one once the holidays were over since I’m not really a fan of hats but needed something to cover my ears when walking through the city to get to work on an especially chilly (or windy) day. After taking a bunch of pictures of myself I realized that I look like a cancer patient in mine, but that's better than having cold ears.

My favorite project to make had to have been the giraffe I made for my niece, Lilly, which had been in my favorites folder over at Ravelry for a while. It went together faster than I imagined it would, but was much tinier than expected, standing only about 6” high when complete. But he was adorable, and I will definitely delve into this pattern again if for no other reason than to share pictures of my own work. Maybe even to use fun colors that are a little less true to life. J

A few other crafts I made included an apron for my mom, made with the sewing machine she gave me for my birthday, a necklace and bracelet for Aunt Anita, and an infinity scarf for my sister who appears to be allergic to the yarn and has asked for another since she loves it so much and is sad she can’t wear it without breaking out. All-in-all, a successful holiday crafting season, aside from the lack of picture taking. 

Last Minute Gift Ideas

There are less then three weeks before Christmas but thanks to the unseasonably warm weather, I have yet to panic. Right now, everything seems a little slow moving to me, except the calendar, so I'm working through my gift list, but with no real urgency, the decorations are still mostly in boxes, and I haven't even begun to think about baking.

This is highly unusual for me. I generally enter December in a state of anxious list making and a frantic decoration of everything from the tree to the sugar cookies, and last year I remember knitting well into the night to get everything finished for Christmas day. Maybe it's the fact that for a change I went shopping on black Friday and actually bought a few presents, or it could be that I'm in 3 polyannas which cuts my gift buying in half. (Check out Elfster if you're looking for a fabulously easy way to organize your own gift exchange) Whatever the case I'm thankful I don't feel stressed right now, and I'm hoping it's not gearing up for a horrible 2 weeks of holiday all nighters.

So, if you are feeling the way I usually am with 19 days to go before the big day, but still want to give your loved ones some handmade coziness, here are a few quick projects that make great gifts, especially when the real winter weather hits.

Hats are great, everyone needs one, and there's so much creative freedom you can have with them. Hannah's hat has an interesting pattern, and on size 13 needles, you'll fly through!

 

A cowl is another great gift and is perfect if you don't think you have time to get though a whole scarf. The name says it all for this Quick Cowl.

How cute are these Christmas Mitts, all dressed up with a pretty ribbon. Fingerless gloves are becoming more popular, especially for the frequent texter.

If you think your giftee won't want something to wear, how about something like this Coffee Cozy? Any coffee lover would appreciate this quick knit to keep from burning their hands on their favorite brew.

These are just a few patterns available on Ravelry so you can also go search their site for the perfect gift, or make make one of my easy original designs.

What are your favorite handmade holiday projects to give?