November 2010

November has definately been gift knitting month. Not quite sure why I waited until now to knit a bunch of gifts for Christmas, but, I did and here it goes.

First I'll start with a finished project from last month. I was knitting the Comfy Cardi with Noro's Shirakba. Since the pattern is written for multi gauges, I wanted a sample in a heavier yarn than the original. I am very happy with the results and you'll be surprised to hear I like the color, haha.  I added a shawl pin (they are new at the shop) and tried it closed.  I like that too!


Now, gifts.  I am working on a couple of gifts that I can't talk about here, but I will take pictures and share them at the end of December.  I don't want to spoil any surprises.  But I can talk about a few things for people who won't see this.

I just finished up a Bag for a birthday gift actually.  It uses the Paper Bag pattern but is knit with Arucania's Pehuen.

Inspired by the handknit ties I saw in Italy, I wanted to knit my son a tie.  He liked the ones with triangles.  So, the search began.  The yarn for the ties I saw looked like a medium weight cotton.  Hmmm... I worry about cotton stretching in a tie and looking sloppy and medium weight seems heavy when it is tied. I really want to do fingering weight and more of a wool.  I look again at the picture and the tie has 3 colors.  Looking at my sock yarn I see three colors that will look good together, but 3 100gm skeins of sock yarn for 1 tie?  I won't even talk about how much this tie would have cost.  How can I get a similar effect with out 3 skeins of yarn.  I wandered around the shop for a while and spotted the popular multi directional scarf - hmmm, what it I use a self striping yarn and turn this into a tie?  - Done!  The pattern adjustments are available as a free download on Ravelry or at the shop.

I also decided a family member needs a sweater for Christmas (I won't mention who, just in case).  The very popular Kimono sweater would be nice.  And I decided to use Berroco's Lustra.  I was going to do it in brown and decided, just for the heck of it, I'll look at Ravelry and see what others have down with the sweater.  I have made one in a multi color, which turned out pretty, but I saw one there in two tones.  Why didn't I think of that?  Love the idea (and the sweater!)





A friend that I meet for coffee once a week was wearing this cute necklace one morning.  I complimented her and she showed it to me.  It was many strands of a ladder type yarn (such as Eros or Nocheros) chained and looped.  I can do that!!  So I did.  Super easy and another free pattern download on Ravelry or at the shop.




I almost forgot.  I have this very cute Snowball yarn from Sirdar at the shop and I finally got a sample knit up with it.  Too cute!!  Baby Snowball is combined with Baby Bamboo to make this adorable set.


Now I'd like to say I am almost done my Holiday knitting, but nope! 
My daughter requested a sweater.  So she will get one.  Knit with Berroco's Soft Twist, I am doing a V-neck variation on the Comfy Cardi.

And I am determined to finish the Socks I've been showing you glacial progress on forever.  They are still being knit with Berroco's Ultra Alpaca Fine and progress is being made!  My husband will enjoy them (or else!) because they feel amazing.

And one more... another sweater (I hope) I haven't started yet and I can't tell you who or what, but I will later.

I decided that at Spin A Yarn we should declare January "Me Month".  The gift are knitted, they have been worn and cherished by the recipient and now it time to knit something for you!  So, start thinking about what you want to knit next (I already have a few ideas in mind).  It will make the gift knitting go quicker and you will have something wonderful to look forward to knitting in the new year.

So, to each and everyone of you, I wish you a wonderful holiday season.  May you finish all your projects, enjoy your friends and family and take the time to sit back, if even for a minute and enjoy the love that surrounds you.  Happy, Happy Holidays (and Knitting), Nancy