Etsy Find

In honor of the big shopping day, I thought I'd show you one of my recent Etsy finds.

When I saw these car littler bags I knew they would make great practical gifts for several family members! And a little gift for myself as well. I mean, I'm already paying shipping, right?

Both of the above things are found at Allyson Hill's shop. The shipping is fast and the service is friendly! She has a really cool blog too.

Personally, I'm trying to spend as little time in the mall as possible this year. I'm just not a big fan of crowded stores is all. Already I've done more online shopping this year than before; it just takes a bit of planning ahead. Of course, I still have those hard-to-shop-for people. Who doesn't!?

Happy shopping everyone!

You can't beat quick socks!

Christmas preparations are in full swing here! I'm so happy to say that I am nearly done with all of my handmade gifts. Uhm, not that I'm making that many. It's just that I expected a pair of socks to take me much longer.

Pattern: Ampersand

Yarn: Socks that Rock Mediumweight, in Puck's Mischief colorway

Needles: #2 circular for magic loop

Notes: I really love how these came out! These were especially fun to make since the future recipient had given me some very strong hints that she would love a pair of handknit socks. I know she'll love the colors too. And speaking of colors....can you believe that these didn't do ANY weird pooling that STR is "famous" for?! Just perfect.

In fact, I was so happy with how fast and nice these knit up that I immediately started another pair in the Socks That Rock mediumweight. I think these will be a gift for hubby since he appreciates handmade socks. It is the Lucy colorway and I'm using a simple pattern from the Sensational Knitted Socks book.And look what I have here....

Yup, it's the mess that I showed you a while back. And would you believe that it only took me 20 minutes to wind it into these two balls? If I'd known it would be so simple I wouldn't have been so dramatic about it all! I guess I just psych my self out sometimes. Now I can work on Ester along with my Somewhat Cowl, which is coming along great!

Everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Can't stop

I guess I've really been in the mood for miles of stockingette stitch! I haven't been able to put my Somewhat Cowl down since I started it last week!
Thanks for all the suggestions about my double stranded mess! I will get to it at some point. Although, I may need to go to the LYS and see if they have any more in that dyelot. I bought it quite some time ago so we'll see.

Gotta go, must knit!

Any suggestions?

Ugh! look at this mess! This is what remains of my failed Camillia. It was knit using double stranded Cascade 220. My problem is, how do you get it undoubled? I'm guessing it's going to take two people both winding one strand each all the while untangling as we go? Oh boy. I guess I'll have to get Hubby involved.
I really need it to continue my work on my Ester shrug. And I really want to finish Ester because it's really fun to knit and I have a good feeling that it's going to turn out cute.
I'm taking any and all advise y'all want to hand out!

Foliage

Well, if you're looking for a stylish and very quick, non-boring hat pattern, look no further! Foliage is the perfect solution! I think this may be my first knit from Knitty that I've actually started and completed while the pattern was still in the current issue. It literally took me three or four evenings of just an hour of two of knitting. Very satisfying!

Pattern: Foliage from Knitty by Emilee Mooney

Yarn: Knit Picks Sierra in Cranberry; less than 1 skein

Needles: #9 dpns (I didn't have 10.5 or 10s so I knit loosely)

Notes: I probably could have knit a tad bit tighter because the hat is actually a bit big on me. Since it was so quick to knit I thought I would just rip and reknit but that was two weeks ago and now I've decided it's just fine! I don't like my hats too tight on my head anyway. I really think that the red color was perfect for this pattern. I love how it turned out!

Okay, I know I said I was on a yarn diet, blah, blah, blah. Well, apparently, I had a lapse of memory last week and before I knew it I had six skeins of Blue Sky Alpacas Silk on my doorstep from kpixie. It was on SALE too! Even though I had already bought the pattern long ago it was cheaper to order the Somewhat Cowl kit than just six skeins by themselves. It's in the Peacock color which is a beautiful teal but my camera refused to pick up any part of the green in it. I'm back on the yarn diet wagon again though. Promise. ;-)

There's been lot of sewing going on here too!

See my cute bedwarmer (thanks to the crafty genius, Ashley, of dogged knits).

Again, lousy picture. Note to self: take more pictures on weekends in real daylight. Super simple to make and boy, does it work! It stays warm for what feels like forever! This one is for myself so I could get the hang of the "pattern" because at least half a dozen people I know will be receiving these for Christmas!