Christmas Stocking for My Godson

Back in November, my cousin asked me to knit a Christmas stocking for her son [my godson].

I started knitting the day before Thanksgiving and was done by the following Wednesday. It knit up far faster than I thought it would (thank goodness!). I ended up designing it myself, including the tree motif (Ravelry link) from Handknit Holidays Evergreen Gift Bag. I knitted it top down with a short row heel. I think I included too many short rows though because the heel just seems too big. I have been considering sewing it up to be a bit smaller… Maybe that’s overkill.

All that’s left to do is sew the hanging loop to the top of the sock and a bell to the toe. I’m planning to send it off to Iowa on Monday!

[I'll post pictures soon!]

Baby Presents

Both my cousin and my husband’s cousin had babies in August!

I love the Ann Norling Fruit Hat and decided to make gifts for the babies that would last through the fall when it starts to cool down. Fortunately, these hats knit up very quickly so I was able to make them in record time (even while in the midst of finals, boards, and surgery). (I used Annie Blatt yarn that I bought at Chix with Stix in Forest Park, IL)

Here’s a pictures of one of the precious babies with her hat on:

Another present was a sign for my cousin’s baby boy’s room. She’s very has a very country/down home style and I wanted to make something that would fit in with that. In my husband’s home town, there’s a coffee shop called Cabin Coffee that has a very cowboy feel to it. They sell all sorts of cowboy kitch and the like – iron stars, witty cowboy wisdom signs, etc. Last year, I spotted an adorable sign that said “Little Buckaroo” and decided then and there that I would get it for her when she had a baby.  When she got pregnant, I went back to buy it and found that the simple piece of painted wood retailed for over $30. I figured I could make it for less.

I had some left over paint from painting my desk. My husband found some beat up wood in our garage. He cut it to size and painted it light green for me. I went back when it was dry and added the words to it. I then stapled some wire to the back to hang it from the wall.

My cousin loved the sign and the hat! I can’t wait to see it in his room!

Gift: Handmade Chevalier Mittens

My friend Erin and I learned to knit together several years ago. She is a talented and awesome friend. This status can only be reinforced by receipt of a pair of handmade mittens for Christmas! They are gorgeous, warm, and fit like a glove, er… like a mitten! Basically, they’re fantastic and so is she.

(ADDENDUM: Even more fabulous – Erin is on Ravelry too! AND she posted about this awesome gift – which happen to be called Chevalier Mittens!)

These are especially fantastic because it is flippin’ cold in Chicago. I can’t remember the last time I saw the sun, so all happy-thoughts must be obtained through friends and exercise (and of course, fantastic gifts). Food was a good source too, but there needs to be a little less of it now that the holidays are over.