Knitters and other crafters - 24 days left: what ya got finished/going/planned? [Archive]

Unauthorized Cinnamon

12-01-2007, 08:34 AM

Wasn't it just October? When I had a great, low pressure plan to get all these gifts knitted? I think I did one pair of mittens in that time.

So now the crunch is on. Here's what I have completed:

A multi-fiber wrap (http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/UCinnamon/wrap.jpg) made with hand-dyed yarn, which (to be completely honest) I made for fun/myself last year, and have never used.

A two-color brioche stitch scarf (http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/UCinnamon/brioche.jpg) with I-cord border, for my SIL - worked on it for months and months, but finally got there.

Chunky mittens (http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/UCinnamon/chunkymittens.jpg) made with Kool-Aid dyed wool, to go in a winter gift basket for FIL and his wife.

On the needles:

Old fashioned mittens for FIL for that basket.

An airy scarf (http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/UCinnamon/airy.jpg) in silk and mohair for my daughter's teacher.

Planned:

Another scarf for the other teacher.

Lace insets to put on pillowcases for my MIL.

Perhaps some ornaments with scrap yarn, to go in food gift baskets for friends, if I have time (yeah right).

Did I mention I'm also making a doll and doll clothes for my daughter, and helping her make some painted pillowcases for her grandparents?

Thank goodness I get 9 free hours a week when she's at school, for the next three weeks!

So what are you giving this year, and is it finished yet?

Idlewild

12-01-2007, 08:48 AM

Hmm. I need to take photos! I have a brioche scarf on the needles for grandpa-in-law. It's a lovely sort of oceany colourway. I acquired the yarn through a friend of a friend (no, not off the back of a truck) so I have no idea of fibre content although it burn tests like an animal fibre and feels and looks like silk. Maybe a blend. Anyway, thick, squishy and elegant.

I finished most of a wallhanging for mother-in-law. It's scrap yarn mitered squares in warm earth tones with a quilt fabric backing. I have to figure out sewing hanging tabs on the back. Anyone who has brilliant ideas... I'd love to know. Otherwise I will make it up as I go along.

I made a double stranded necklace of some chunky jasper and black volcanic rock, interspersed with red seed beads for my mother, and need to finish up a tonally complementary bracelet for her.

Vaguely considering whipping up a few hats, but not sure in what fibres and for whom - no particular pattern in mind, just a basic in-the-round ribbed brim changing to stockinette for the body. Boring but a great winter standby.

Unauthorized Cinnamon the multi-fiber wrap is especially lovely! My kind of colours.

Idlewild

12-01-2007, 09:18 AM

Now with pictures!

Scarf in mystery yarn. (http://knitlace.net/images/cmas07/brioche.jpg) It's almost done. I'm plugging along for a few more inches before I call it good.

Wallhanging. (http://knitlace.net/images/cmas07/wallhang.jpg)

Necklace and bracelet. (http://knitlace.net/images/cmas07/mumjewels.jpg) Mum has tiny wrists, and she also beads, so I guessed what size for the bracelet but she can restring it if she needs to.

I also have some black fabric with red dragons to make a handbag for a friend but I am doing pretty poorly on the finish-sewing-things front and my machine needs cleaning/oiling badly so that's sort of a glimmer in my eye. Maybe for her January birthday instead.

WhyNot

12-01-2007, 09:20 AM

I just started beading (necklaces, earrings, bracelets, etc.) about two weeks ago, and I'm hooked! So anyone I can justify it for is getting beaded stuff this year. I've got one sweet little three strand going into one center bead necklace that I just have to restring for my sister in law (I ran out of tigertail, and tried it with nylon thread, but I don't trust it, so I'm getting more tiger to do it over - but at least it's all laid out and ready to go), I made a tooth-achingly sweet pink glass shapes and hearts necklace for my daughter; she'll love it, I think it looks like Barbie passed some gallstones. I made an agate and amethyst necklace and matching earrings for a friend of mine, and I've got about a dozen more planned or at least vaguely thought out.

ETA: The part I'm having trouble with is giving them away. How do you guys do it? I mean, obviously, I won't give away junk, so if I think it's good enough to give away, that means I really like it, but then that means I don't want to give it away! Arrrgh!

Idlewild

12-01-2007, 09:38 AM

In my case, I can give mum her stuff because I'd never wear it. She likes the chunky. I like the sleek! It does make it easier!

KatieCats

12-01-2007, 09:43 AM

I have one scarf done (except for sewing in the ends), and another scarf on the needles. In a case of "what was I thinking" , the completed scarf is for a friend in town, and the other has to be mailed!

I wanted to make a couple of table runners out of Christmas fabric, but haven't even cut the fabric yet.

12-01-2007, 09:44 AM

I've completed one pair of mittens for my oldest son. He'll get a hat, too - not sure which pattern I'll use.
I've completed the hat for my youngest - the little cable knit one with a big pompon on top from Zoe Mellor's Adorable Knits for Tiny Tots. It's white with a baby blue trim and pompon. His mittens haven't been started, yet.

I'm also working on vests for them for Christmas Eve. Youngest's is in Peace Fleece (http://www.peacefleece.com/webyarn.htm) Siberian Midnight with Antarctica White stars. Oldest's is going to be Peace Fleece Firebird Orange and Khruschev Corn (he likes the bright colors), but I haven't decided what picture to put on the front or if I should just do stripes. Suggestions are welcome!

Unfortunately, I'm also doing a lazy project of a Knitting Pure and Simple cardigan for me, in Peace Fleece Kamchatka Sea Moss (can you tell I was in a Peace Fleece co-op this summer?). It's such a nice sit-in-front-of-the-tv mindless project that I seem to work more on that than anything else. And it's taking me forever! It takes me 15 minutes to do one row!

Unauthorized Cinnamon, is that airy scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts? If it is, I thought about doing that for my mom for Christmas. Did it take you forever or was it pretty quick? And, have you always been in Cary? I'm in Raleigh. We should have a knitting night sometime!

Shirley Ujest

12-01-2007, 10:07 AM

I am trying to finish mittens and am having the biggest problem with the gore and thumbs. It is like I have a block on it all.

I have to rip back the first one to the thumb and re do it as it is completely wrong, wrong, wrong ( too puny) and rip out the gore I've mangled in its mate.

I think this winter will be Focusing on Mittens for me.

I also have two scarves to crank out. Basic K2P2 and a seed stitch scarves. One needs to be done by the second weekend the other for school, possibly.

However, all of it is delayed finding out one of my BFF husband is going in for back surgery this wednesday and I want to knit him something. I have no idea what.

WhyNot

12-01-2007, 10:19 AM

However, all of it is delayed finding out one of my BFF husband is going in for back surgery this wednesday and I want to knit him something. I have no idea what.
Perhaps a remote/beer/potato chip cozy for his armchair? He might have a great excuse for taking it easy awhile...

NightRabbit

12-01-2007, 10:35 AM

My brother wants a sweater for xmas. He just told me this recently. Ye gods! I also want to make a pair of socks for my b/f with little fish on them (he's a fisherman-type). Somehow, I also need to fit sleeping and eating in there somewhere, too. And shopping for everyone else.

Unauthorized Cinnamon

12-01-2007, 10:36 AM

Thanks, Idlewild! Your stuff looks loverly - especially the jewelry. Being chunky myself, I've developed a taste for chunky jewelry - I have some gorgeous tanzanite and black coral, but it tends to get lost on me, between my size and all my hair.

Y'all are going to get me in trouble - beading sounds like fun, but I already have six 18-gallon bins full of crafting, sewing, doll making, and knitting stuff - I must not start new crafting until I thin my supplies a bit!

C3, that Peace Fleece looks yummy - you must post pics of those vests! And yes, that Airy Scarf is from LMKG, and it is very quick, especially once you get the pattern ingrained in your mind. After all, it is lace, which is mostly empty space! IIRC, it's laceweight yarn knitted on sz 10 needles. I made one for each of the ladies in the family a couple years ago - very easy.

And yep, I've been in Cary since 2004, just finally decided to put it in my profile this week. Knitting night sounds fun!

Shirley, that stinks - I've never had to frog something extensively, thank Og. Honestly, I think I prefer the pattern I did a few years ago for toddler mittens, which is knit flat, to working with the DPNs - they stress me out! I hope your friend's husband does OK with surgery - it's so nice of you to make a special gift for him!

Oh! I forgot to put in the OP, I discovered a great tip for knitted slippers - I have tried putting leather bottoms on some, but they are expensive and came out crappy, after a lot of effort. Well, I just made some new slippers for my daughter, and put silicone aquarium caulk on the bottoms, and it works great! It was $5 for a tube which will last through at least a dozen pairs, and it took me about 3 minutes to apply. I also feel comfortable having my kid come in contact with it, since it is safe for tropical fish, who are not the hardiest pets.

Eureka

12-01-2007, 12:08 PM

I have a half dozen counted cross stitch ornaments on plastic canvas. They all need cutting out, gluing on felt, and to have hangers attached.

One needs mucho backstitching first, and I haven't decided whether I'm going to stop when I finish that one, or whether I'll stitch up a couple more. Actually, I kind of have to stitch at least one more--I don't think it would be a good idea to give a cute little ornament to one neice and not to her sister.

(Guess what I bought today at the craft store . . . )

ETA: I've also made a bunch of jingle bracelets I just need to wrap up and ship out, so they can be worn for a couple weeks before Christmas.

Shirley Ujest

12-01-2007, 01:45 PM

Frogging is a way of life over here at Casa Anal Retentive. I blame zee germans.

A beer cosy just might be the ticket. Easy to do and a bit of a stash buster.

Good idea! Thanks!

Shirley Ujest

12-01-2007, 01:47 PM

Maybe I'll knit him a penis cosy as he has been in so much pain that he can't even manage that. (You know it's got to hurt if sex is the last thing a guy wants.)

ivylass

12-01-2007, 02:52 PM

I downloaded patterns for placemats at Knitpicks.com. Basically, you cast on 86 stitches, knit seed stitch until the piece measures 2 inches, knit seed stitch 10 stitches, place marker, knit pattern for 66 stitches, then seed stitch the remaining 10 stitches. You knit the pattern until it measures 11 inches, then do two more inches of seed stitch.

So, the seed stitches are the border, and the 66 internal stitches are the pattern. I found the KnitPicks suggestion for the pattern a bit dull, so I Googled knitting stitches and printed out some interesting patterns. I did Feather and Fan, Leaves of Grass, Double Diamonds, and the fourth placemat will be Pavilion.

I'll get Ivylad to take pictures so I can show everyone. It was a quick, easy project to do, although I find the knit one purl one knit one purl one pattern of seed stitch a bit boring.

ivylass

12-01-2007, 02:55 PM

Frogging is a way of life over here at Casa Anal Retentive.

Oh, I have that problem too. I'll try to ignore it, pretend it's not what I think it is, then it's down needles and ribbit ribbit ribbit. :mad:

Ferret Herder

12-01-2007, 03:00 PM

I'm not knitting anything this year for anyone I know. I am working on a knitted cap for charity; the hospital I work for is having a drive to collect items for a local charity that serves the needy regardless of religion, sexual orientation, etc. (http://www.thenightministry.org/). I bought some machine-washable merino wool yarn on sale this summer, and will hopefully have it made into a hat by the donation deadline.

For making other things, however, I'm whipping up jars of sugar scrub (http://www.thesage.com/recipes/recipes.php3?.State=Display&id=144) in a spicy, sugary, orangey scent, bottles of lotion (http://www.thesage.com/recipes/recipes.php3?.State=Display&id=4) in various scents, homemade gel scent jars (made with distilled water, powdered gelatin, and fragrance oil), and a home-blended spice rub mix.

twickster

12-01-2007, 04:10 PM

A multi-fiber wrap (http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/UCinnamon/wrap.jpg) made with hand-dyed yarn, which (to be completely honest) I made for fun/myself last year, and have never used.

My god, that is just gorgeous!

Flutterby

12-01-2007, 04:31 PM

God, don't remind me. I've whittled it down a bit but have much to do yet.

I finished the hat and mittens, one of the purses just needs to be felted and a button added.. but I need to finish another two purses, two more tea cozies (one is half done) and a few finger puppets need to be crocheted.

Some can go past Christmas though, so that's not so bad (seeing some family after Christmas and doing presents then).

jayjay

12-01-2007, 05:37 PM

I'm knitting (in the sense that I have it on needles) a feather & fan baby blanket in off-white Berocco Baby for my new nephew/niece (due Dec. 23). In reality, I'm slacking badly and I'm never going to get it finished before his/her six-month point. I haven't knit a stitch in over a week.

freckafree

12-01-2007, 06:59 PM

I am really glad I usually celebrate Christmas with my sisters sometime after the first of the year, because that buys me some time.

I bought these (http://unicornegifts.com/store.cfm?event=itemdetail&itemid=656968&returnto=http%3A%2F%2Funicornegifts%2Ecom%2Fstore%2Ecfm%3Fevent%3Dshowcatalog%26catid%3D82653) really cool beads at a gem show, and I'm going to make two beadwoven necklaces, something like this one, (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m81/fwhited/lizardnecklace.jpg), and use one of the goddess beads in each as the focal bead.

ivylass

12-01-2007, 07:01 PM

freckafree and Idlewild, your necklaces are gorgeous!

Idlewild

12-01-2007, 07:30 PM

freckafree and Idlewild, your necklaces are gorgeous!

Thanks! I am amazed by freckafree's, that's off the chart for me skill wise... just gorgeous.

... On a grumbly note, I finished the brioche scarf and the yarn isn't even slightly colourfast. I did wash a swatch but... a small square just can't demonstrate exactly how much dye is left to exhaust, apparently. Considering my options - just adding vinegar to hot water was inadequate, not sure I can get spousal (and primary homemaker) approval to nuke unknown yarn on the off-chance that heat plus acid will do the trick. Anyone dye enough to offer words of advice?

freckafree

12-01-2007, 07:45 PM

freckafree and Idlewild, your necklaces are gorgeous!

All you people who knit and cross-stitch knock my socks off. My complete inability to count or follow written instructions is why I do freeform beadweaving.

WhyNot -- the solution to your dilemma is to make two of everything! ;) One for you, one for her, one for you, one for her...

Ferret Herder, wow! (Does commercial sugar scrub really use sugar?) I lo-o-o-o-o-o-ove sugar scrub. Your recipients should be very happy.

Ferret Herder

12-01-2007, 08:27 PM

Ferret Herder, wow! (Does commercial sugar scrub really use sugar?) I lo-o-o-o-o-o-ove sugar scrub. Your recipients should be very happy.
Yes, commercial scrubs do use real sugar. I also just refilled a jar of Bath & Body Works sugar scrub with my own version. It had sugar, but the first oil listed was mineral oil... ew. No wonder it always felt kind of too-slick on my skin. The recipe I used feels more "supple" on my skin, if that makes any sense. Very much a lighter feeling to it.

I've made 7 jars of sugar scrub (besides mine) and 8 gel scent jars tonight; I think I'll work on the lotion tomorrow. If the snow and ice melt a bit, we might actually leave the house so I can get the other ingredients for the spice rub.

Flutterby

12-01-2007, 08:34 PM

The recipe I used feels more "supple" on my skin, if that makes any sense. Very much a lighter feeling to it.

So where do you get your recipes? And can I have one? I like the sugar scrub I have, but I imagine making it would be cheaper.

Ferret Herder

12-01-2007, 08:44 PM

So where do you get your recipes? And can I have one? I like the sugar scrub I have, but I imagine making it would be cheaper.
I've been finding them around the web, but I started at the main website that I buy supplies from, Majestic Mountain Sage (http://www.thesage.com/). (The thing to watch out for at this, and many other sites, is the shipping charges - I learned to wait and place one larger order rather than "oh, I could really use that tiny bottle of fragrance oil - how much to ship that?!") I found their site about a year ago because I found a recipe for fizzy "bath bombs" in a magazine (it was Martha Stewart's, OK?!) and they were listed as a supply source.

The sugar scrub recipe I used is their Winter Survival Sugar Scrub (http://www.thesage.com/recipes/recipes.php3?.State=Display&id=144). I use white and brown sugar from the grocery store, bought a gallon jug of sunflower oil from them because I'm making a lot (it's not the same stuff as in the grocery store, it has a longer shelf life and is cosmetic grade; the 16 oz bottle would probably make 5-6 cups of the stuff easy), and already had their jojoba oil and liquid glycerin from making lotions. You barely need any of those ingredients so the smallest bottles should work. Many drugstores will sell liquid glycerin, as well. Then you can get essential oil or perfume oil from wherever you want, but I used their Bitter Orange Orchid and their Brown Sugar and Spice to make a very sugary-spicy, winter holiday scent.

ivylass

12-01-2007, 08:50 PM

That is a really cool site. I might need to take a look at making salt or sugar scrubs. Any suggestions for getting started?

lissener

12-01-2007, 08:53 PM

No pics, but I have a couple projects. I'm doing a sweater with a vertical single stitch rib, with the knitted ribs burnt orange and the purled ribs dark brown. I'm randomly increasing and decreasing to give the rib an organic, almost tree-bark look. This is enhanced by the yarn, which is a bulky bumpy tweed.

And I have my usual 4 or 5 pairs of socks on the back burner, for bus knitting.

Ferret Herder

12-01-2007, 08:59 PM

That is a really cool site. I might need to take a look at making salt or sugar scrubs. Any suggestions for getting started?
Just that scrubs are easy compared to lotions! No microwaving any wax to melt it, no playing with the immersion blender to mix and you end up spraying lotion over half of the cupboard because your microwaveable glass bowl isn't deep enough for the volume you made, no discovering that the nice thin lotion you made thickens up after it cools down (to the point where you can't squirt it out through the thin little squeeze cap slit), no need to add a preservative and trying to dig through the "parabens: godsend or carcinogen?!" debate (MMS does make paraben-free preservatives, too), and the ingredient with the largest volume of use is purchaseable in your grocery store. They have other scrub mix recipes (http://www.thesage.com/recipes/recipes.php3?.State=ListRecipes&cat=Misc) (and other bath items) at this link.

12-01-2007, 09:12 PM

lissener

12-01-2007, 09:16 PM

If you do get a chance to take a picture of that sometime, I'd love to see it. It sounds really cool. What do the increases and decreases do to how the sweater lies?
It lies perfectly flat, since I'm only in/decreasing one stitch at a time.

Mirror Image egamI rorriM

12-01-2007, 10:26 PM

I knit myself a sweater (http://flickr.com/photos/egamirorrim/1800939356/) out of Noro Silk Garden.

I do beading (http://flickr.com/photos/egamirorrim/sets/72157600513444055/) like Freckafree, who has discussed it with me on a couple occasions.

I make felt necklaces to sell in my Etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=34745), although I have several I've kept for myself.

I am hoping to learn to spin yarn over my winter break.

My goodness I love making things.

congodwarf

12-02-2007, 07:13 AM

I was able to get my Polymer supplies out of storage when I went home for Thanksgiving. I started fooling around with them again three days ago. When I bought them, it was because I was looking for a hobby and it looked like fun. I tried beads and canes and other general types of decorative stuff. I sucked. So, I put it all in storage and didn't think about it again.

Well, apparently I don't suck so badly as long as I stay away from anything NOT cutsey. At least my sister and my mom think so. My sister is trying to convince me to start selling them. I definitely don't have enough money to buy the supplies for that. Or the talent. At least not now. But, here are the things I've made so far.

(some of these are dark, and a little blurry. I hate digital cameras and I suck at using them.)

This (http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/congodwarf/?action=view&current=1129071441a.jpg) first one was the first thing I made. It was a gift for my sister. She loves hippos.

This (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/congodwarf/101_0802.jpg) psycho Christmas Tree was an idea I got from a Polymer clay book. I added the star (using glow in the dark clay). The Christmas lights were an afterthought, after my neighbor broke the axe off the handle. I used the lights to hide the break.

This (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/congodwarf/101B0810.jpg) is an ornament and a gift tag. I made this one for my sister to attach to her gift for the Secret Santa exchange (for her job). I've made three others so far, this (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/congodwarf/101_0948.jpg) is one of them. They all have different mustaches.

This (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/congodwarf/101B0880.jpg) is a pin. I made this one for my nephew.

This (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/congodwarf/101B0831.jpg) is another ornament. Originally, I tried to make stars, but it looked like it was snowing yellow snow.

My little white santa (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/congodwarf/101B0870.jpg).

Another (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/congodwarf/101_0940.jpg) of my favorites (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/congodwarf/101_0941.jpg). This little piggy has a wreath.

Another (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/congodwarf/101_0942.jpg) little santa.

This (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/congodwarf/101_0943.jpg) is my first snowman.

Another (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/congodwarf/101_0945.jpg) snowman. My sister had just put some marshmallows on the table. So, he looks kinda marshmallowy.

Two (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/congodwarf/101_0946.jpg) little penguins.

My sister told me to make a baby. "you know, a swaddled one, with those long pointy jammies!". Um, sure, I know what you mean. I think it looks (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/congodwarf/101_0944.jpg) kinda like a baby from Whoville. It seemed kinda plain so I stuck a present to its ass. :D

I learned a very important lesson yesterday.

If you're gonna use your neice and nephews to condition your clay for you (I told them they could play with it, but they couldn't keep it or mix the colors - they fell for it), make sure they clean their hands before going to a new color! My nephew destroyed my last block of white clay. He had just spent half an hour playing with red.

monica

12-02-2007, 08:12 AM

Wow, all of this stuff is impressive! Mirror Image, how did you do that twisted tube peyote necklace that you have on your Flickr link? It's amazing.

I'm not doing many knitted presents this year. School is kind of crazy and I don't have time to do complicated projects, and pretty much everyone has gotten scarves from me already. However, depending on who my SDMB Secret Santa is, I may knit up a quick scarf to throw in the box.

For me, I've been knitting a nice simple skirt in this silk and wool blend yarn (http://www.modadea.com/silknwoolblend.htm). I chose the pewter color. I'm following a pattern from Melissa Leapman's Knitting beyond scarves- the bottom 10 rows (the pattern said 8, I changed it) are done in 2 pieces on straight needles in garter stitch, then the 2 pieces are joined together on circular needles and the skirt is knitted in stocking stitch in the round. It creates a nice little slit at the bottom.

TroubleAgain

12-02-2007, 08:49 AM

The part I'm having trouble with is giving them away. How do you guys do it? I mean, obviously, I won't give away junk, so if I think it's good enough to give away, that means I really like it, but then that means I don't want to give it away! Arrrgh!

Do what I do--make sure you have "extra" materials. Then you can make two, and keep one for yourself. :D

TroubleAgain

12-02-2007, 08:57 AM

I'm not doing any crafting this year. I do polyclay, beading (though not like some of the beautiful things I've seen in this thread), and photography. I'd like to do something with the photography to make gifts some year.

WhyNot

12-02-2007, 09:17 AM

Do what I do--make sure you have "extra" materials. Then you can make two, and keep one for yourself. :D
That would work so much better if I didn't use so many....uh..."vintage" beads (that is, stuff I find in the thrift store or dumpster that I take apart to use in new designs). I often only have one of a thing, and know I'll never get another.

I'm going to start taking pictures, and keep a portfolio. That will at least let me save designs I can make with different beads, and look at the pretty-pretties. And, if someday I run across an identical pretty-pretty focal bead, then I will be able to reconstruct my creation.

Eleanor of Aquitaine

12-02-2007, 10:39 AM

It's not very impressive compared to the stuff you guys are doing, but I'm working on a 5x7 cross-stitch for my niece for Christmas: Equine Pair (http://www.colray-crafts.com/DimensionWebE/newhtm/big.php?ProductID=3095). She started taking riding lessons earlier this year and is beginning to ride in competition.

It's not a terribly fun piece to do. The colors are brown, light brown, very light brown, gray, light gray, pale gray, etc. I get excited when it's time to work the few bits of blue and red in. It also calls for gold metallic thread, which I hate working with.

Flutterby

12-02-2007, 11:02 AM

Metallic threads can be annoying to work with. I haven't done any cross-stitch in awhile myself (took up knitting because I thought it would be easier with Velociraptor around) but when I was a girl my aunt did one for me. I still have it (somewhere, I put it away when we moved and haven't found it yet *sighs*) it's one of the Lady and the Tramp, the meatball scene.

I bet she'll love it. :)

Shirley Ujest

12-02-2007, 11:34 AM

I knit myself a sweater (http://flickr.com/photos/egamirorrim/1800939356/) out of Noro Silk Garden.

.

You did an awesome job on the sweater! I loves it!

WomanofScorn

12-02-2007, 04:22 PM

I don't knit, but I crochet. Last year I made my mom a spider stitch afghan, but I don't have any pictures. It was the hardest pattern for me to learn and I was insanely proud of it when I was done.

This year I'm making her a wrap to go along w/the blanket. My crocheting will be tame this year as far as presents go. Last year I made afghans for everyone so a wrap is all I can manage.

freckafree

12-02-2007, 07:16 PM

Yup, Mirror image egami rorriM, I love your bead embroidery! Too cool!

And I just sent you e-mail about your felt jewelry. :)

Labelless

12-03-2007, 06:43 AM

congodwarf your creations are too cute!

And I have serious knitter's envy of everyone else here. I am going to have to get serious about knitting this next year.

Here is a list of what I have left to make, along with pictures of the same I already have:

1. Finish embroidering the tea towels for my grandmother. She lamented that her towels were getting old and thin, and it seems as though I'm the only other one in the family who prefers those over the terry cloth.

2. About 6 bowling ball gazing balls. Luckily those only take me a little over an hour each to make. I've started three, but ran out of gems. My first is here (http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o12/robertamac78/bowlingballgazingball2.jpg)
so there is the general idea of them.

3. I have to frame about five of these (http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o12/robertamac78/biteme.jpg)
they're stitched up and ready to go.

4. I have to get started on some more polymer clay ornaments. I'm thinking about doing more like this (http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o12/robertamac78/swaps/PICT0057.jpg)
and this (http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o12/robertamac78/swaps/PICT0061.jpg)
and this (http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o12/robertamac78/swaps/PICT0062.jpg)
but I might have to try something different.

5. I love these (http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o12/robertamac78/swaps/PICT0043.jpg)
as well, and have about twenty more to make.

I also need to finish a border on a baby blanket. She's due right after the first of the year, and finding the yarn for it was a pain. And I crocheted my heart out. It was my first bigger project ever. I'm in love with it too. I just need to find the time to finish it! And to top it off, my sister and cousin are pregnant and due within a few weeks of each other. The end of June looms closer than I'd like at the moment.

Unauthorized Cinnamon

12-03-2007, 07:06 AM

And to top it off, my sister and cousin are pregnant and due within a few weeks of each other. The end of June looms closer than I'd like at the moment.First, I love the "inspirational" cross stitch! Second, you've just given me a great idea to make that last month or so of my pregnancy fly by - I'll knit a newborn-size sweater for the baby! ;)

Y'all are doing amazing work. The beading and polymer clay are knocking my socks off, and Mirror Image egamI rorriM, that sweater is awesome.

To anyone who feels she is taking too long to complete a project, I submit the fisherman's afghan I finally finished - after about 12 years. (No, I wasn't working constantly, just going back to it at loooong intervals.)

congodwarf

12-03-2007, 08:40 AM

congodwarf your creations are too cute!

Thanks! I'm starting to get over my disbelief that anyone but my mom would like the stuff I made.

Unauthorized Cinnamon, can we see a picture? I'd love to see a 12 year afghan.

I also have massive knitter's envy. It's the one craft I've always wanted to do, and I suck hugely at it. I've had some wonderful teachers but it's just not happeneing. I've wanted to try tatting too. Somehow, I don't think that will be easier than knitting.

Mirror Image egamI rorriM

12-03-2007, 10:16 AM

Thanks to everyone who complimented me on my sweater.

monica--the twisted tube is a variation on a simple peyote tube, but instead of sewing on one bead at a time, you sew on two beads at one point and skip a bead at another point--that makes it twist.

Lissla Lissar

12-03-2007, 10:29 AM

I think I'll make a drapey cotton jersey top for a friend. Gray-blue with gray binding on neck and sleeves. I haven't figured out the style yet, but it should only take a day or so to make.

I think I'll make some rice and lavender heating bags for a few people on my list. Practically everyone else is getting homemade candy and cookies. Which I should start making next week. Although I'll likely make some bead and chaing necklaces, too, for at least a couple of women.

Unauthorized Cinnamon

12-03-2007, 10:39 AM

Unauthorized Cinnamon, can we see a picture? I'd love to see a 12 year afghan.

I also have massive knitter's envy. It's the one craft I've always wanted to do, and I suck hugely at it. I've had some wonderful teachers but it's just not happeneing. I've wanted to try tatting too. Somehow, I don't think that will be easier than knitting.OK, here's the closeup (http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/UCinnamon/afghan2.jpg) so you can see the pattern, and me holding the whole darned thing (http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/UCinnamon/afghan.jpg) up after finishing it. The great irony is it was a "Mile a Minute" pattern!

BTW, you can always try crochet - that is how I got into fabric arts, and I was terrified of knitting for a long time. But crochet is relatively easy - only one stitch on the hook at a time, rather than carrying all those scary open loops on the needles!

congodwarf

12-03-2007, 10:57 AM

BTW, you can always try crochet - that is how I got into fabric arts, and I was terrified of knitting for a long time. But crochet is relatively easy - only one stitch on the hook at a time, rather than carrying all those scary open loops on the needles!

Funny thing is that I'm actually fairly decent at crochet - even without anyone teaching me. I hate it though. The only thing I ever finished (sort of) was a shawl for my mom. It was supposed to be a small afghan. I got irritated halfway through and stopped. It was one of those patterns where you start at a corner and increase each row until the center, and then decrease after the center. She loved it though.

That afghan is seriously beautiful.

Miss Purl McKnittington

12-03-2007, 12:48 PM

I am limiting my crafting for Christmas this year. Really. I will NOT be knitting my way into tendonitis this season. I got tennis elbow from knitting last Christmas -- not fun! No way, no how.

So, for my sister, I'm making her a cloche like this one I made for me (http://flickr.com/photos/14266099@N07/2083767935/in/set-72157602216453911/) at her request, and finishing the stole (http://flickr.com/photos/14266099@N07/1453271063/in/set-72157602216453911/) I started last year for her, but had to drop because of the tendonitis. If any of you are on Ravelry, more details are here (http://www.ravelry.com/projects/msmcknittington/the-kim-cloche) and here (http://www.ravelry.com/projects/msmcknittington/arctic-diamonds-stole). The cloche pattern is here (http://www.yarnabuse.com/the-kim-cloche/), and the stole is the Arctic Diamonds Stole from the Winter 2006 Interweave Knits.

For my grandma, I'm crocheting a doily from a pattern pamphlet I found in a thrift store for a whole quarter of a dollar. My grandma used to do a lot of thread crochet, and she buys doilies whenever she sees them, so I think she'll like it. It is very creatively called the Delicate Doily (http://flickr.com/photos/14266099@N07/2083854015/). I am , and I think it will turn out much larger than anticipated. My crochet lace skills aren't up to my knitted lace skills, though, so hopefully no brain implosions happen.

For my mom, I'm crocheting plant frost covers out of baler twine. She read about how the French used to make plant protectors out of braided rope in the 18th century in some history of gardening book, and she's been mentioning how wonderful a similar thing would be, and couldn't I make them out of baler twine, since we have so much of it lying around the place? I'm crocheting them because the thought of sewing together braided baler twine makes my fingertips hurt proactively. Honestly, I'm just happy she didn't ask for world peace this year like she usually does.

For me, I am finally going to finish [url=http://flickr.com/photos/14266099@N07/1880167552/in/set-72157602216453911/]the sweater (]this far[/url) I started in February, Thermal from Knitty. (Once again, for Ravelers (http://www.ravelry.com/projects/msmcknittington/thermal).) I only have a sleeve left to knit, and the placket and neckband. I will wear it to Christmas dinner. Yes, yes, I will.

Yes, that's it. A small haul compared to the billionty washcloths and mittens I knit last year.

I was planning on making scented glycerine bar soap for people this year, but Ferret Herder has made me want to make sugar scrub instead. Dare I change my plan?

Siege

12-03-2007, 05:40 PM

I've got 8 more buttons and far too many ends to weave in on a nursing sweater from Louisa Harding's Natural Knits for Babies and Moms. My cousin is due in early February, so I'll be giving her that and a baby sweater from One Skein Wonders. I'm also working up a cabled baby outfit in bright red, since this will be a Valentine's Day baby. I've almost finished the booties, although I have to do a bit of frogging on one, myself. The sweater and pants may not be done until after Christmas.

monica

12-05-2007, 11:11 AM

OK, so I know I SAID I wasn't going to knit presents this year...but A.C. Moore was having a sale on "fancy yarn" and I just couldn't resist. So new projects:

On the needles: a scarf made from Moda Dea Prima (http://www.modadea.com/prima.htm) in purple, knitted together with Flutter (http://yarndex.com/yarn.cfm?yarn_id=2302) in a nice lavender color.

Next up: a scarf made from Prima in turquoise, knitted together with Moda Dea Jai Alai (http://www.modadea.com/jai_alai.htm) in rainbow.

After that, I'm making a little Christmas scarf/collar thing for my dog in Jai Alai holly knitted together with a thicker yarn that I have yet to choose.

levdrakon

12-14-2007, 02:21 PM

Is this the right thread for this?

My housemate just made these "smoking gloves" for me. This pic (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/Levdrakon/smoking_gloves1.jpg) was taken with a flash and shows more detail. This one (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/Levdrakon/smoking_gloves2.jpg) without flash but shows the color better, but is blurry. The moss green actually has little bits of of different browns in it.

They're going to match this sweater (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/Levdrakon/cablesfront1.jpg) once it's done. The sweater shows a terra cotta type color + grey, but mine's going to be the same terra cotta + moss green-ish color same as the gloves.

Watcha think?

Flutterby

12-14-2007, 02:57 PM

levdrakon

12-14-2007, 03:10 PM

Hey, very cool levdrakon.

I've dropped a few knitting things off my list. Overestimated my speed, underestimated my procrastination abilities. The essential ones are getting done though.

I think for next year I should start in January. ;)I've known Lev's-knitter for twenty years now and she's always been pretty good at knitting, but a year ago she joined a knitting group which meets once a week, and I think that's helped her not only make new friends, but it motivates her to finish the dozen or so projects she has going at any one time so she can show them off to her friends. Plus, she's semi-retired, which gives her more time.

Solfy

12-14-2007, 03:38 PM

I am being punished by the universe.
I had only one "mandatory" project. My mother's family started a grab bag a few years ago. Participation is optional, however if you choose to participate there is only one rule - you must make the gift for your recipient. Cooking doesn't count.
I barely know my recipient this year (long story) so I made a scarf. I started mid summer. I bought 8oz of merino/soy silk undyed. I dyed it myself. I spun it. I navajo plyed it. I knit it using the "Pallette" pattern from Knitty. It blocked beautifully and was done the first week of December.
Last weekend my mother called me. My brother started a sweater as his grab bag gift back in May, but he procrastinated and it doesn't look like he's going to finish it in time. Can I please bat cleanup so my cousin doesn't go giftless? Now I'm frantically making a hat and fingerless glove (and scarf, time permitting) set for my cousin. I don't mind so much, but it just figures that the one year I'm not weaving ends on the way to the party I get stuck doing emergency deadline knitting anyway. *LeSigh*

Flutterby

12-14-2007, 03:53 PM

I've known Lev's-knitter for twenty years now and she's always been pretty good at knitting, but a year ago she joined a knitting group which meets once a week, and I think that's helped her not only make new friends, but it motivates her to finish the dozen or so projects she has going at any one time so she can show them off to her friends. Plus, she's semi-retired, which gives her more time.

I don't have much time at all. Not between working full time and a busy almost 4 year old! But I am part of a knitting group (or rather, my favourite store hosts a stitch n bitch every Tuesday and I go when I can) and I find that I don't necessarily get lots of knitting done there.

Not between the food, the wine and all the chatter and even sometimes shopping. ;)

levdrakon

12-14-2007, 04:01 PM

I don't have much time at all. Not between working full time and a busy almost 4 year old! But I am part of a knitting group (or rather, my favourite store hosts a stitch n bitch every Tuesday and I go when I can) and I find that I don't necessarily get lots of knitting done there.

Not between the food, the wine and all the chatter and even sometimes shopping. ;)Heh. Her "one or two hour" meetings frequently take much longer, and I often wonder what all those innocent knitters are up to. I don't ask, she doesn't tell.

But I don't trust you lot. ;)

Oh, and I'm totally going to start calling her group the "stitch 'n bitch."

Miss Purl McKnittington

12-14-2007, 04:10 PM

I finished my grandma's doily a few days ago. See here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14266099@N07/2105053424). I asked her very surreptitiously for starching tips the other day, since she's the one that taught me to crochet and she's my usual source for crochet knowledge, and she got really excited about lending me her doily stretcher and starch. As in, she told me not to bother buying starch, she had plenty to give me. So I've crocheted some little things to act as decoys when I go borrow the doily stretcher. Of course, they're so small that I think I might just grab a doily out of my mom's cache of old lace things.

Solfy, why doesn't your brother knit his own penalty gift? I mean, he should be capable of knitting a mitten and hat set if he's knitting a sweater. Why do you have to cover his ass?

Miss Purl McKnittington

12-14-2007, 04:21 PM

Um, here are the little (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14266099@N07/2111635852/) things (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14266099@N07/2111628442/) I crocheted as decoys. Forgot to paste the url in.

Flutterby

12-14-2007, 04:49 PM

Hey those are pretty, Purl.

This is what I have done so far (or almost). A tea cozy (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2073/2109532597_034d088a03.jpg), a hat (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2002/2109532527_90ee9790c8.jpg) and a yet to be felted purse (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1332/1486544821_7d19aaf1c1.jpg).

Unauthorized Cinnamon

12-15-2007, 07:38 AM

Solfy, I would love to see that scarf - what TLC you put in! It reminds me of that old Cheers episode where Sam gave Diane some thoughtless gift, and defended himself that she "just gave him a sweater," then she gives a long diatribe about how she spun the raw wool, consulted a professional to determine his best color, dyed the wool, and knit it herself!

And I agree - your brother (btw, always nice to see a guy knitting, even if he's slow!) should at least do the hat or something. Or grab Last Minute Knitted Gifts and throw it at him.

Miss Purl, the doily is beautiful. Makes me think about Anne of Green Gables, and how they competed to see how many hope-chest doilies each girl had.

Flutterby, I adore that tea cozy - such beautiful yarn!

As for me, all my mittens are done, and C3 and I had a fun knitting night. I was lucky I was out with her, or I might have cried or thrown my scarf across the room when I realized I just needed to start all over again. Luckily, it's the Airy Scarf from the aforementioned LMKG, so it's almost done, and I should be able to finish the other over the weekend.

Although my daughter said to me this morning, "Mom, I'm tired of you knitting all the time." (I wasn't knitting, I was making her breakfast, I promise!)

Mirror Image egamI rorriM

12-15-2007, 10:17 AM

I've been teaching myself to spin yarn, and I made my first art yarn yesterday. Freckafree sent me some wool, and I spun it and felted it and made Cheeto Yarn (http://flickr.com/photos/egamirorrim/2111472925/).

Ferret Herder

12-15-2007, 11:45 AM

Miss Purl McKnittington

12-15-2007, 01:04 PM

Oh, no! Ferret Herder, you poor woman! What happened? Was it ferret related? Are you OK otherwise?

Flutterby and Unauthorized Cinnamon: Thank you both very much! I haven't crocheted much since I was 12 or so, and it's so much faster than knitting for doilies. So. Much. Faster.

Ferret Herder

12-15-2007, 01:56 PM

Oh, no! Ferret Herder, you poor woman! What happened? Was it ferret related? Are you OK otherwise?
Fell in my driveway; I was talking with my husband about how slick it was, with snow over ice, and was being careful; in a flash I was suddenly on a hurting rear with a very sore arm planted at my side - the heel of my palm was what struck, but the ER doc thinks just one of the long bones in my arm (the radius) broke near my wrist. We'll see what the ortho doc thinks on (I hope) Monday.

Flutterby

12-15-2007, 03:46 PM

Flutterby, I adore that tea cozy - such beautiful yarn!

Thank you! It's the Noro Kureyon, which is really quite lovely though they have a nasty habit of tying bits together (towards the end of the skein) and skipping a whole colour.

I broke my (dominant) arm this morning, so I won't be finishing the hat in time. :( The other stuff is done but I could have done them with one arm too.

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that. :( Feel better.

Flutterby and Unauthorized Cinnamon: Thank you both very much! I haven't crocheted much since I was 12 or so, and it's so much faster than knitting for doilies. So. Much. Faster.

Crocheting is so much faster.. which is why I am holding off a little on the crocheted finger puppets (Velociraptor really needs puppets, he puts on shows with his little people currently) and attempting to knit fast.

Idlewild

12-15-2007, 04:46 PM

Feel better, Ferret Herder! We hateses the ice.

I kind of guilt tripped myself into knitting some poinsettias. I found this pattern (http://knittingonthenet.com/patterns/holstarorn4.htm) and knit up a shiny green star which immediately said "hey, I look like poinsettia leaves, idiot, not a star. Use the red yarn!" so I'm making a smaller star in red to go in the middle. Then I'll do it all over again so that I have a matching set to go out to two different recipients.

These are because apparently I cannot let my husband just give his grandparents heifer.org (http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.183217/) gifts, even though the grandparents have expressed appreciation at not receiving more crap to find a home for. I know they like hand made Christmas ornaments, and will be able to hang them somewhere then store them with the rest of the ornaments. Pretty quick knit, and they're going to look great. But still. We need to ship stuff Monday, so today I decide I absolutely must do this? Brilliant.

The upside is I bought some Suzanne ebony circulars in size 3 a while ago and haven't had a chance to use them yet, and they are perfect for the red star part, so that's a treat. They're so smooth and lovely.

Shirley Ujest

12-15-2007, 05:04 PM

I haven't finished my basic k2p2 scarf and found a goof in the pattern that I made whilst watching the latest Harry Potter. There goes 5 rows.

:smack:

Helena

12-15-2007, 05:55 PM

I crocheted an octopus (http://wedoitthehardway.blogspot.com/2007/12/five-hour-octopus.html) for my daughter--it was going to be for Christmas, but she has claimed it already. Now she's got me making a dinosaur.

quilter

12-15-2007, 06:29 PM

I pieced toss pillow covers for my dad's wife months ago; they match the pieced wall hanging she asked for so it was a no-brainer.

I didn't plan on knitting anything for anyone this year, but somehow Fetching (http://www.knitty.com/issuesummer06/PATTfetching.html) mitts for my sister appeared on my needles. I only have thumbs left to knit and I don't fly home 'til Wednesday, so that's under control.

And yes, it feels *really* odd not to have knit/quilted presents, but packing to move took precedence.

OpalCat

12-15-2007, 08:30 PM

I just got all the supplies to make Ukrainian Easter Eggs. I used to do it but long ago lost the tools and so on. I'm going to make a few as gifts (assuming they come out well) this week.

Idlewild

12-16-2007, 06:25 AM

This (http://knitlace.net/images/cmas07/poinsettia.jpg) is the first of the poinsettia ornaments. So happy to have found a use for shiny green yarn I got in a swap. It's perfect!

Shirley Ujest

12-16-2007, 12:26 PM

This (http://knitlace.net/images/cmas07/poinsettia.jpg) is the first of the poinsettia ornaments. So happy to have found a use for shiny green yarn I got in a swap. It's perfect!

That is adorable!

The snowstorm today has cancelled the Xmas party that I was suppose to have given the K2P2 scarf too, that wasn't finished, is now on a repreive. That means I have 7 days to either finish it or start 22 new projects...

Idlewild

12-16-2007, 01:58 PM

That is adorable!

The snowstorm today has cancelled the Xmas party that I was suppose to have given the K2P2 scarf too, that wasn't finished, is now on a repreive. That means I have 7 days to either finish it or start 22 new projects...Thanks! Naturally, I vote start 22 new projects. Or call it a neckwarmer and call it good ;)

I just sorted my stash, finished one project (er... "sure, this lace scarf I haven't worked on for a year and a half is long enough... time to bind off"), ripped another out entirely, and now I feel virtuous because I only have 4 things on the needles. That one of those things is a baby blanket for a now six-month old is irrelevant, right? ;)

jayjay

12-16-2007, 02:18 PM

That one of those things is a baby blanket for a now six-month old is irrelevant, right? ;)

Absolutely!

*glances nervously at his own baby...er, strip of lace. For a child who's due Dec. 23*

Mama Tiger

12-16-2007, 02:52 PM

Only four things on the needles? Hm, let's see. One, two, three, four, five, six -- actually, I'm not doing too badly. One of the six is a felted bag that I'm only a few I-cords away from finishing, but I ran out of steam. I'll finish it one of these years, I suppose. Another is a lace shawl that I hit a spot where the pattern simply does not come out right; I'm trying to decide if it's me (since I'm left-handed, I knit patterns in reverse) or if it's really a mistake in the pattern. In any case, I need to resolve it one of these years because I put too many hours of work into it not to.

But I'm not knitting Christmas presents this year. I've been knitting up a stash to go craft-showing along with FairyChatMom, who does pottery, and really don't have that much built up. By next fall I'll have a great assortment, I expect.

Also, I just caught the sock bug, which may be fatal. I don't know why I've been afraid of socks all these years -- I've knitted for many years, including stuff on DPNs, and never had any worries. But for some reason I was afraid of socks. Thanks to an amazingly helpful book (http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Started-Knitting-Socks/dp/1596680296/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197838236&sr=8-1) I recently purchased, I've finally worked my way past my fears and just finished my very first sock the other day. And it even fits me perfectly, yay! There's nothing like step-by-step photos to make it easier, is there?

What I really would love to do is win the lottery so I can sit around and knit all day every day. I can't imagine anything more fun!

Solfy

12-18-2007, 10:01 AM

Solfy, why doesn't your brother knit his own penalty gift? I mean, he should be capable of knitting a mitten and hat set if he's knitting a sweater. Why do you have to cover his ass?

Because we have no faith that he will actually finish a hat and mitten set. He's not what you might call reliable as of late.
Also because I love an excuse to cast on something new.
The hat and one fingerless glove are done (except for end weaving) and I've only got two fingers to go on the other glove. I've got two skeins of yarn left, I may do a scarf as well. It's yummy yarn and quick and I'm having a blast! Normally I shun anything on needles larger than 5s, so the fast gratification is a nice change of pace.

Flutterby

12-18-2007, 10:27 AM

Aaaalmost done a second purse. Which is good, because I need to felt it and dry it tomorrow to be gifted Thursday.

Thank goodness for movies that I can knit through (I watched Die Hard 2 last night, I love Christmas movies ;) )

jayjay

12-18-2007, 07:16 PM

Aaaaaand I'm officially avoiding the baby blanket. We're having an ornament exchange at work, so I'm working on something for that, instead. It's either going to be a poinsettia or a Christmas ball ornament (depends on how many of the segments (or petals) I really want to (or have time to) make). Each segment is one of the "candle flames" from this shawl (http://toveb.typepad.com/photos/patterns/candleflame02.html) in red. Ten petals make a full circle (one flower or half a ball). If I do the poinsettia, I'll make a couple of green ones for leaves and do French knots in yellow for the "stamens". If I do the ball, I'll make another ten in green for the lower half and sew them together (they SHOULD fit together into a full sphere). I'll admit that I'm leaning toward the poinsettia (because I'm lazy).

Photos linked when I'm closer to done and assembled.