Skip to main content

Holiday Countdown: It's Getting Scary!

Huron Mountain Socks
In the last few weeks, I've finished two pairs of socks (both holiday gifts) and two of four proposed striped stockings.  Unfortunately, I've managed to add to my holiday gift-knitting list exponentially since the completion of these projects.  What compels me?  Do I just like the challenge, beat-the-clock style?  I'm guessing that's the case, although some of it might also be related to being on a shoestring budget.  I've noticed there's a huge uptick in gift knitting this season, so I can only conclude that at least I'm not alone in this boat!  I've been pretty good about shopping from my stash, so the yarn's already paid for, I just have to find the time to get everything done!

Gentleman's Fancy Sock
Indeed, there is much more holiday knitting to be done.  On the bright side of things, I have a bit of a deadline extension this year because we aren't heading down to KC 'til January.  The coffee shop where Tyler works was purchased by the hotel where it's located earlier this year; his sudden entrance into the hospitality industry means that we must forgo our annual holiday trip, unfortunately...hence the knitting of the stockings, in my attempt to have a festive house for our Chicago-based holiday.  While I'm disappointed that we won't be having our usual holiday traditions, I'm looking forward to both making a few new ones and taking advantage of the extra week or so that I'll have, since we'll be observing christmas with our families in the new year.  I'm also psyched because I found some inexpensive but nice stocking holders at Target last week. Woo hoo!
These stockings need a good blocking!



Project Details:

Gentleman's Fancy Sock by Nancy Bush - Knit in Austermann Step on US #2 DPN's (I cast on 52 sts).


Huron Mountain Socks by Nancy Bush - Knit inSchoeller+Stahl Fortissima Socka (MC - Grey) and The Wool Dispensary Useful Stimulant BFL Sock (CC - Circus Popcorn) on US #1's and #2's.  Hooray, colorwork socks I can get past my heel!

Stocking the first:  Knitting Pure & Simple's Easy Christmas Stocking knit in Lamb's Pride Worsted in Oatmeal, Reynolds Lopi Lite in #0414 Red, and Pick Up Sticks Small Balls in Grass & Gold on US #8's.

Stocking the Second:  Same pattern as above, knit in Lamb's Pride Worsted in Oatmeal and Chianti, Spud & Chloe Sweater in Moonlight, and Berroco Peruvia in Avocado on US #8's. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Overdyeing A Finished Knit

Even after just a few years of knitting or crocheting, you're bound to have some finished projects lying around that never get worn or used. After 10+ years of crafting, I have more than just "some" or "a few"....and with my ongoing quest to declutter my house this year, I've become obsessed with going through these forlorn projects and making some Big Decisions. Sometimes, they are perfectly fine and just need a new and loving home. Other projects may have not turned out quite right: there might have been some mistakes in the knitting that I thought I could live with, or the yarn was gorgeous but not well-matched to the pattern, or my  taste has drastically changed since I finished making the project...in any case, why on earth did I keep knitting?! Who knows, but I don't feel good about gifting anything that falls into this category to someone else. These projects have been relegated to the "frog pile" (or should I say, frog pond?), to b...

Easy DIY: Beaded Vintage Snowflake Ornament Kits from Solid Oak Inc.

I was really excited to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new as part of my "Christmas in July" theme this month. The kind folks at Solid Oak Inc offered me a chance to review one of their Nostalgic Christmas beaded crystal ornament kits I couldn't resist. My tree is already full of ornaments I've inherited or been gifted from other family members and friends,  so these pretty crystal beaded ornaments will fit right in I think! I was super impressed with  this compact little kit , which includes everything needed to create three gorgeous vintage-style ornaments - just add a pair of round nose pliers (I found mine on Amazon for less than ten bucks).  The instructions had some fabulous tips for newbies like me; for example, it recommended sorting the beads and laying them out in order on a towel or beading mat to prevent them from rolling away. That may seem obvious, but I was totally ready to start beading on my kitchen table without a...

A Finished Sweater, With Cat Hair

After losing Tilly and Robin within a year of each other, I sure didn't think I'd be finding cat hair in my knitting any time soon. But the universe had other ideas. Over the winter, a white feral cat adopted us. I'd noticed her when we moved into our apartment last summer - I would see her hiding in the bushes or sunning herself in the grass when she thought no one was looking. I assumed she was someone's cat until I realized how skittish she was around humans, plus she had a tipped ear, which is a universal sign that a feral/stray cat has been spayed. Neighbors confirmed that she was a feral kitty (descended from several generations of feral cats, in fact), and that she has survived on her wits and whatever food various residents put out for her.  We had some bitterly cold days over the winter, and I just felt so sorry for this poor kitty! I started offering her treats and slowly gained her trust. She didn't even want to come inside our apartment at first, much le...