The Gift of Homemade

Over the weekend I gave a few homemade gifts, including the stockings to my nieces. My older niece Charly was completely in awe of her new stocking "I can't believe you made me a stocking Auntie!" it was just awesome.

Madison, at 2 1/2, just liked the thrill of more tiny presents inside. She reached her tiny arm down to the toe, sticking her tongue out with intense concentration, and recovered the last few little gifts.

I don't expect the girls to understand the value of these stockings now, for now they are a vehicle for the big man in red to fill with treats, but some day, when they are all grown up, they will have them to remember all those glorious Christmas mornings.

My brother also loved his homemade hat and is putting it to good use on these snowy days.

Cute pics to follow next week when I am back in Boston. Merry Christmas to all!

Finished Project: Madison Stocking

Like Charly's Stocking before it, this was a 3 month labor of love. Countless starts and stops, but I am happy with the end result!

The plan is to take a photo of the 2 stockings stuffed and side by side, hope I remember!

Finished Project: Dad's Watch Cap

I finished this on Saturday, but had to wash it and block it to soften up the wool and loosen up the ribbing. It blocked beautifully as Lamb's Pride Superwash always does.

I will be making one of these in a different color for my brother too, very easy pattern!

New Project: Watch Cap #1

Saturday evening I cast on for this Watch Cap for my Dad for Christmas. Being a former Coast Guard guy the traditional Watch Cap is something he should like.

I am using Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Superwash in Heathered Gray and it is knitting up quickly and nicely.

Hope to finish in the next day or two.

Finished Project: Ballband Dishcloths

I finished these last night in an effort to get some WIPs out of the way. I like the way they came out.

I am going to find a nice reusable kitchen container to put them in as a gift for Mom.

Finished Project: Charly Stocking

Those of you that know me know I have done no less than 8 versions of this stocking over the past 3 months. I have finally produced a cobbled together pattern that I am happy with and have completed Charly's stocking.

So I started with a roll-top pattern from A Cuff Above, switched the cuff to 2X2 rib, charted the name band myself and used the tree motif from the book, did the leg in stockinette and substituted a real heel flap and turn for the short row heel in the pattern, did the foot and toe as written. It is a hodgepodge, but I like it!

Plan is to cast on for Madison's immediately so as not to lose momentum.

Finished Project: Brattleboro #1

Here is my first attempt at the Brattleboro hat. I had this grand plan that I was going to make one for myself first to experiment with the pattern. I bought 2 skeins of yarn, one for my hat and a lovely skein of Malabrigo for a gift version.

In my ecstasy over the Malabrigo I cast on for that version first, having forgotten all about my plan. Luckily this first version came out gift worthy I think and it is scheduled to be gifted to someone for Christmas.

I like the hat as it is fancy enough to be a nice gift, but not crazy or too difficult. I am already working on a second gift version, which means I should get to my own around Easter.

I had another lovely button-buying experience at Windsor Button. This time I went through dozens of boxes of buttons with the very patient fellow who works there before settling on these.


It was tough to get a good photo, but they are silver with little hearts etched on them. Again, nice enough for a gift, but not too silly or fancy.