December was sort of busy. I got into a big fun groove of Christmas knitting. I didn't really plan to make things for everyone but since I wasn't running I had all this TIME, so I just started making stuff.
(And I want to say a big thanks to everyone who commented about my back and my decision to take a break from running. It's been 6 weeks and I'm still cranky about it. Having your stories of finding new physical activities and of recovery really helped me).
A hat for Craig
He picked the yarn when we were visiting Kim and Ron of Indigodragonfly this summer. It's hard to say no when your sweetie chooses a bright yarn and asks for you to knit something.
Simple watch cap. A lot of ribbing. Craig asked for it to be longer and it ended up too long. It's pretty silly, but fine with the hem folded over. Seriously, I don't let him out like that.
Pattern: Pismo Hat
Yarn: Indigodragonfly Merino Sock in Zen and the Art of Clown Disposal
A hat for Emma
She chose the pattern and the inner liner colour. I didn't have anything suitable in the stash, so I picked up this stripey yarn. Emma has a yellow pea coat, so it's a good match.
Pattern: Brimley
Yarn: Biscotte and Cie Gobelin and Tosh Dk
Mittens for Xander
He asked for mittens. That's a quick and easy project. I tried Elizabeth Zimmerman's mitred mittens. Very fun. All from leftovers.
Socks for Mom
By request. I've made my mother socks before and she's only really liked plain socks in a commercially spun wool/nylon yarn. So that's what she got.
I used Kate Atherley's pattern from her new book: Beyond Knit and Purl. I do better with a pattern than when I wing it. This way I have some numbers written down!
Pattern: Classic Top Down Sock
Yarn: Opal Feelings
A Scarf for my Memere
It's hard to buy a gift for your 86 year old grandmother. A handknit cashmere scarf really does seem like the most appropriate thing.
She doesn't knit so it's extra special (and she brags about me to her friends!)
Pattern: Miss Otis Regrets (fabulous 1 skein project)
Yarn: Handmaiden Cashmere
Something for Charity
This was a totally last minute crazy idea. We have a charity auction at the President's holiday party to benefit a mental health initiative on campus. This year donations were down and when the call came out, I decided to knit up a scarf. In a weekend.
It's not so hard when you have a yummy 50/50 merino silk single in the stash. It sold for enough money to make me feel good about the donation (I would have bought it myself if needed) and someone has something pretty.
I confess I'm not keen on the colours, but the knitting was lots of fun.
Pattern: Noro bias lace scarf
Yarn: Schaeffer Helene
Love everything, but especially the Noro bias lace scarf. Happy New Year!
Posted by: bittenbyknittin | January 01, 2013 at 04:36 PM
That is an awesome amount of knitting. I gave away a lot of knitted gifts this year, but that was partly because I started making gift odds and ends pretty early in the year. I will probably do a lot of gift knitting this year too for birthdays and the like, because I need to clean out my stash so badly.
Posted by: Seanna Lea | January 02, 2013 at 10:10 AM
Lots of great gifts! You've chosen a great way to spend time not running.
Posted by: Allison | January 02, 2013 at 04:01 PM
Ich freue mich sehr für diesen Blog genossen. Ich fühle mich stark daran und lieben lernen mehr über dieses Thema.
Posted by: tee shirt burberry | March 07, 2013 at 01:30 AM