Last Christmas Gift

 

 Sorry for not posting sooner, I have been busy celebrating Christmas with the family. I had plenty of time to finish knitting all my Christmas presents, but I am just getting around to posting about this last one. 

This scarf is for my uncle. I got him for our secret Santa gift exchange and I wanted to add a special touch to his present. 

Uncle's Scarf:

Yarn: Lion's Pride Woolspun in Oxford Grey

Needle Size: US 8 (5.0mm)

Pattern Source: His (Birthday) Scarf by Monika Steinbauer (free pattern!)

 

 

I changed around the pattern a bit for the chunky yarn: I used bigger needles and cast on fewer stitches (for details on how I did this see my Ravelry page for this project).

My uncle seemed to really like the scarf and I love the way the pattern knit up! Perfect gift for a man.

Neon Men's Knit Socks

Finally finished this pair of socks that I have been working on for a while. I was only able to knit it when the boyfriend wasn't home so I could keep them a surprise. The first one went quickly since I was able to knit it during my train ride home; the second one took a while longer to finish up.

Petty Harbour:

Yarn: Schachenmayr Regia's Flourmania Color in Neon Ocean

Needles: US 2 (2.75mm) 9" circular needles

Pattern Source: Petty Harbour (Free Ravelry download!)

I made absolutely no attempt to match up the stripes. I like the look of mismatched socks so I just didn't bother!

Another Christmas present done and ready to be gifted!

Long Knit Cowl with Buttons

I am a Christmas present knitting machine! Here is another one that I made:

Lispenard:
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca
Needles: US 9 (5.5mm)
Pattern Source: Lispenard (can be purchased through Ravelry)
 

The original pattern for this cowl had a cable pattern going up the middle and the sides. I wanted a more lace look, so I switched it out with a lace pattern that I found.

 

I hope this is what my sister wanted, but if she doesn't like it, I will be glad to take it back!

Bulky Knit Cowl Christmas Present

I wanted to make something special for my teaching partner. She is always wearing scarves and cowls so I knit up this beauty in a few nights. 

Birding Cowl:

Yarn: Alpaca 60 by Estelle Yarns (2 skeins)

Needle Size: US 15 (10mm)

Pattern Source:  Birding Cowl (free Ravelry download!)

This yarn is so soft; it is like knitting with a cloud. The buttons add the perfect finishing touch to this piece and it will make a great accessory.

 

Knitted Beanie for Christmas

Another Christmas present checked off the list. This one was quick and easy, it is a gift for my grand-father who loves my knitted hats. 

I used some leftover yarn from other projects and it turned out great.

Strib Hat:

Yarn: Berroco's Ultra Alpaca in Barley and Berroco Vintage in Cast Iron

Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) 16" circular needles

Pattern Source:  Strib Hat (free Ravelry download)

Knit Socks for Christmas

These socks are a present for my grand-mother. I made her a pair of socks last Christmas and everytime I see her she mentions how much she likes the socks and that she wears them all the time. I love knitting for people who appreciate and want to wear my knitted items so I had to make her another pair.

Hourglass RibSocks:
Yarn: Knitca Socks in Brown
Needle Size: US 1 (2.25mm) DPNs
Pattern Source: Hourglass Rib Socks (which can be found in the book Knitted Gifts, but I had it in Interweave Knits, Holiday Gifts 2009)

I did something a little different than what I normally do for this project. I made these two-at-a-time: I had two sets of DPNs and knit the pair simultaneously. It seemed to go by faster and when I was done knitting, I was actually done. I think I will continue to knit my socks this way, but I will have to buy myself a second 9" circular; I really don't enjoy knitting on DPNs.

The pattern for these socks were really easy and would be a great project for a sock knitting beginner. I think these turned out great and I hope my grand-mother likes them.

Buffy Knit Socks

I took a small break from Christmas knitting to make myself a pair of socks. I was starting to lose it with all the knitting for other people. I really wanted a nice pair of red knit socks so I made them. I hope I still have time to finish everything else, but I think these socks were worth it! So pretty.

Buffy Socks:
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock in Tiziano Red
Needle Size: US 1 (2.25mm) 9" circular needles
Pattern Source:  Isabella D'Este from The Knitter's Book of Socks

They turned out gorgeous and I love them and want to wear them everyday!

Hat

 

Another Christmas present checked off the list. This one is for my youngest sister and was so easy and fast to make. I think she is really going to like this one.

Garter Stitch Slouchy Hat:

Yarn: Berroco's Ultra Alpaca in Barley

Needles: US 5 & 7 (3.75mm & 4.5mm) 16" DPNs

Pattern Source: Rikke Hat from Happy Knits (free pattern!)
 

Sock yarn hoarding

Everyone knows I love sock yarn. I told myself that I wasn't going to buy myself anymore until I had destashed all the yarn I already had. Well one thing led to another and I have completely broken my vow of yarn celibacy. Yarn just seems to sing to me, call my name and force its way into my hands. I guess that just means I have to knit myself some more socks!

 Some DK weight sock yarn in a lovely mint green colour. I can't wait to knit myself some beautiful knee high socks with this.

 

Gorgeous sock yarn that I got from my local LYS as a gift. Love it!

 

 This is some pretty lime green sock yarn from Design by Lily Go. It is some RendezVous Forever Sock Yarn in Sour.

 

I am so excited about this sock yarn. It is going to be some Number 2 Pencil Socks when they are all knit up. I bought this from Yarnenabler  and there are some other beautiful sock yarns that I would love to get.

Now I just need to get all my Christmas knitting done so I can start making myself more socks.

All the WIPs

I have a few WIPs that just need a little more attention to get finished, and I just can't seem to get going on them for one reason or another....

 

My Rikke Hat just needs a few more inches to be completed... and I ran out of yarn. So until I get back to my LYS (probably tonight) I will not be able to finish it.

 

 

I didn't notice this photo was blurry until I uploaded it and I don't feel like taking another one. It is my Buffy socks that I am absolutely loving. I just need to finish the toe and block. I will be getting to that ASAP.

 

 

My Super Stripes Socks have been a work-in-progress for a while. I only work on them when waiting... like at doctor's offices and such. I had a few appointments this week that involved a lot of waiting, so I had time to finish the first sock (I just need to graft the toe) and cast on for the second. I am making no efforts at all to match up the stripes. More fun that way.

Knit Grove Mittens

More Christmas knitting progress. This time I finished a pair of mittens for my sister. She picked out this pattern and I am glad she did. I have had this project in my favourites for a while now but have not gotten around to knitting it.

I am always weary about paying for a pattern before being able to see it. I like to look at the pattern and make sure that I can follow and complete it before I make an investment in it. Since these were for a present, I took the gamble and bought the pattern - and it payed off! It is very clearly written with step-by-step instructions and a clear chart for each mitten (right and left side). There are no line by line instructions so if you are not a fan of charts this is not the pattern for you.

Grove:
Yarn: Berroco's Ultra Alpaca in Barley
Needle Size: US 6 94.0mm) DPNs
Pattern Source:  Grove by Jared Flood

I am now knitting a slouchy hat in the same yarn to match these mittens to complete this Christmas gift.

Rowan Afghan KAL Progress

I have finished knitting all my 'Candy' squares for my Pure Wool Worsted Mystery Afghan KAL and I have moved on to a new colour: Mallard:

 

Not only have I done the knitting part, but I have weaved in all the ends, washed and blocked every square!

 

I only have 23 blocks left to make and I will be able to join these beauties into a gorgeous afghan!

Knit Broken Rib Slouchy Hat

I made another slouchy hat for a Christmas present. This one is for the boyfriend. I love the pattern for this hat, and I made the same modification as I did for the last one (that is k1tbl, p1 throughout the pattern whenever it said k1,p1).

Graham 2:

Yarn: Berroco's Ultra Alpaca in Barley

Needle Size: US 6 (4.0 mm) & US 8 (5.0 mm) 16" circular needles

Pattern Source: Graham by Jennifer Adams (free Ravelry download)

I think know he is going to love it!

Blocking Party Part 2

I am continuing my Christmas gift knitting frenzy and I have managed to finish two more presents. I finished the knitting part anyways... now they are blocking alongside some more squares that I finished for my Rowan KAL afghan. I should have some pictures of the finished projects to show you soon.

Winter White Knit Cowl

My Christmas knitting projects have been jumping off the needles. Here is another one for my youngest sister who wanted a nice warm cowl for those freezing cold days in Montreal.

GAP-tastic Cowl:

Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca Chunky in Winter White

Needle Size: US 13 (9mm) 29" circular needles

Pattern Source: GAP-tastic cowl by Jen Geigley (free Ravelry download)

 

I think I will have to make one of these for myself, it is so squishy and warm!

Beautiful Fall Pictures from the Farm

I went to the pumpkin patch over the weekend with me m.i.n., s.i.l and nephew. We had a great time and I was able to get some great pictures of the animals and scenery at the farm. I thought I should share with you some of my favourite shots.

Pink Knit Socks

I knit a pair of socks every year for my sister for Christmas. This year I made these gorgeous socks that I am going to have a hard time parting with. Every time I look at them I just want to slip them on my feet. They came out so perfect. 

Sister's Socks:
Yarn: Couleurs Mouton's Kargil in Souris Rose
Needle Size: US 1 (2.25mm) 9" circular needles
Pattern Source:  My Cup of Tea socks by Robin Lynn (free Ravelry download!)

Look at how gorgeous that pattern is!

Yarn Clean-Up

My WIPs basket was getting really messy. To the point where I could not find projects I wanted to work on. There were balls of yarn from old projects, lots of loose paper and bags from random stores that I hadn't thrown out yet. Please excuse the horrible picture quality, it was late at night when I started on my clean-up adventure.

Now it looks nice and clean and I am ready to knit again! 

Broken Rib Slouchy Hat

Another Christmas present finished. I have been crossing things off my list quickly and at this pace, I will be finished with lots of time to spare.

This hat is intended for my sister's boyfriend. I made him a beer mitt for his birthday and I made this hat to match it. 

Graham:
Yarn: Berroco Vintage in Cast Iron
Needle Size: US 6 (4.0 mm) & US 8 (5.0 mm) 16" circular needles
Pattern Source: Graham by Jennifer Adams (free Ravelry download)

I made the larger size of the hat. I modified it by changing all the *k1,p1* to *k1tbl,p1*. This gave the ribbing a more distinct look. I think it is supposed to be worn inside out, but I like the way the ribbing looks

Burgundy Knit Headband

Blocking all the items I made last week took forever. The weather has been wet and cool this past week so it took a while for everything to dry, then I wanted to wait for some sunnier weather to get some nice pictures of the finished pieces.

This headband is a Christmas gift for my sister. It won't be a surprise since she picked the pattern and the yarn for it. I want to knit people things that they want, so I went through Ravelry patterns with her and she picked out what she liked. 

Anthro-tastic Headband:

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Solids in Claret (I don't think I even used half a ball)

Needle Size: US 13 (9mm)

Pattern Source:  Anthro-tastic Headband by Vera Sanon (free Ravelry download)

This was such a quick project. It only took me a few hours from start to finish. I think I may have to make myself one!