All I Got For Christmas Was…

…this stinkin’ cold! I usually do pretty well at avoiding germs but then I’m kind of a hermit. OK, having T-Man around means I’m not really a hermit but he doesn’t count as Other People. However, several days of family gatherings later and I came down with a sore throat and post nasal drip just as the festivities were winding down. As these things go it’s not very debilitating, just a little uncomfortable. And annoying. I was priding myself on my good luck so far this winter. Bleh.

I also didn’t do a very good job at avoiding wheat (like, you knew that, right?) but I didn’t have any major repercussions beyond a bit of itchiness. I did manage to only drink a mouthful or two of wine. Just a taste. Totally worth it too! It was very fun comparing three turkey dinners in a row. All were yummy, of course! Especially since I didn’t have to cook any of them. Too bad because now we don’t have any leftovers.

I forgot to show you the Christmas stocking that I made the Littlest Grandbeastie:

I tried to blur out the letters of her name to maintain her privacy. The materials were all from the stash and I think that the red felt that I made the stocking from is as old as Rosebud’s mom! The buttons (except for the teddy bear) are older still and from T-Man’s granny’s button jar. I hand-stitched the edges in blanket stitch with perle cotton similar to the heart decorations that I made earlier. It turned out OK and was well-received. About time this girl had a stocking! This was her third Christmas and the poor baby came down with a stomach bug to celebrate. I’m not sure who it was harder on, toddler or mom! They unfortunately missed the big Christmas shindig but luckily we had already had our Solstice celebration together. Hopefully they (and I) will all be well for yet another gathering on New Year’s Day.

Anyway. Moving right along. I finished two more small knitting projects.

Fitted Mitts Too

For: gift (or me if I can’t find them a home!)

Begun: December 19, 2012
Completed: December 25, 2012

Yarn: Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Cotton Print, colourway 7185 Sable, dyelot D, 50g = 166m. Used the 40g remaining from the first pair. S.R. Kertzer On Your Toes Bamboo, KOB.0300 Black, 100g = 328yds. Used about 30 yds to finish the mitts.

Pattern: Fitted Mitts by Nina Hyland, free Ravelry download.

Mods: Knit the cuffs to 4” in an unsuccessful attempt to not run out of yarn. Picked up one extra stitch at crotch of thumb and decreased it away on next round. Knit the thumb longer: 7 rounds total before bind-off.

Comments: I made these just to use up the last of the yarn. Unfortunately even with the shorter cuffs I ran out before I was quite finished. The black bamboo yarn was the only similar thing in the stash that would coordinate. Now I have to find a recipient for these things!

And yet another item:

Herbaceous Hat

For: me

Begun: December 19, 2012
Completed: December 26, 2012

Yarn: Newton's Yarn Country Happy Feet, colourway green multi, 1800 per lb. Used .12 skein. Got this yarn at ANWG conference in Spokane, WA.

Pattern: Purl Beret by Purl Soho, free download from Purl Bee.

Mods: None.

Comments: Still attempting to use up this yarn. (One more project to go!) I love this tam. It’s just the right size (10” across) and wearable in several ways. This pattern is easy to knit and might just become a regular in the repertoire.

It’s always nice to finish successful projects! A few that weren’t so successful got frogged:

From bottom left those were the Black Bamboo Cowl, the Red Hedgerow Mitts, and the Many Mosques Shawl. I already have plans for these reclaimed yarns. But first I started a pair of socks for my nephew, who is the last of the immediate family to ask for them. He also has the biggest feet! It’s going to take more than two 50g balls of Regia Design Line Kaffe Fassett sock yarn to finish these beasts.