Little Things

I try not to set too many knitting goals for December.  The season is already stress-filled (even if you opt out of most of the consumerism like I try to do) and I find no joy in knitting against a deadline.  I know my limits for knitting Christmas gifts during November and December so most of my gift knitting has been fun little things.  Since it’s already been mailed/ received and modeled, I can show you the hat I knit for my Granddaughter.  I call it the Li’l Penny.  It’s a scaled down version of my Santa Bang-y hat (pattern now in PDF assuming the linky works).  (To your right =>).  Here’s what it looks like next to the original:

 

and here is my sweet Sylvia modeling it.

A hat from Nana!

 she's already experimenting with her sense of style

Pattern: Santa Bang-y

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino 100 White / 700 Red

Size 4 needles

And I knit her a Teddy Bear complete with removable skirt:

This is a pattern that I have used for years, I used to knit these for fun years and years ago and the pattern has evolved as my knitting skills have improved. I only use the written pattern as a guide these days. It's great for using up leftover odds and ends.

Then, I used some of the leftover white and some blue (Marine) Trendsetter Merino VI to whip up these for my nephews.

 Pattern: Improvised

 Size 3 dpn

I also whipped up a hat and fingerless mitts for my Niece

Pattern: Zig Zag Beanie by Dawn Leeseman / Mitts improvised

Yarn: Rowan Kid Classic / Lavender

Size 8 needles

I also knit a couple of fun ornaments that doubled as gift tags: 

Pattern: Tee-Tiny Raglan 

Yarn: Assorted scraps of fingering

Needles:  Size 2.5 mm (I think)

Then I finished another pair of socks:

Fall Stripeys

Pattern: Basic Sock pattern; Eye of partridge heel / 2 row alternating color stripes

Yarn: Mini Mochi in Neptune and Mocha

Needles: 2.25 mm dpn

I showed you the cowl in a previous post and since I fell in love with the yarn I used for my cowl, I decided I HAD to have a pair of matching mittens …

Pattern: Improvised (I’m writing it up, but my notes are partially illegible so it will be a bit)

Yarn: Misti Alpaca Chunky Hand Paint in CP21/Winter Queen

Size 9 dpn

For the easily impressed, I want to note that most of the projects above (excluding socks) are one or two evening projects and easily accomplished while watching TV.  And I knit fast.

 I also started another pair of socks… the last of my 2010 Personal / Self-imposed Sock Club:

Scarborough Fair Socks

I’ll provide the full details when these are finished. These are a bit fiddly so they are slower going, but I hope to finish them in December.  (HOPE)

And to round out the year, I started one more shawl.  I cast on for Annis with some of this, (color 158) but I’m only 9 rows in so there’s not much to show yet. 

So that's what I've been up to lately since the last two projects I posted.  I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and as I do, look forward to what 2011 brings. 

Happy Knitting

blessings, 

Nana