Have a Merry!

From Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman



Wishing all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like...

Ella getting ready for her walk one morning.

...well, Christmas.





Been a busy, busy week(s)here trying to get all the Christmas stuff done as well as some knitting.





I made an ear flap hat for my Hubby, and then of course, the Munchkin wanted one and then I got caught up in some mittens, which I've cast on 3 times for (once because I used the wrong color, second time too small and not anywhere close to gauge, and third, and hopefully all will go according to plan). {all pictures subject to when I actually get to take them}

And then...the kids are out for the break tomorrow so I'm running all my errands that I need to finish up before they're home for two weeks!

So...I hope all have a happy and productive weekend!

A Christmas Meme

I saw this on a couple of the blogs I was reading today and got the questions from baa baa blacksheep. Thought I'd do it too, and I added a question at the bottom. Makes you reflect a little bit about the whole Christmas Season.

My Christmas Meme
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping Paper, but occasionally I will recycle my gift bags.
2. Real tree or Artificial?
Artificial. But it’s really cool! It has these gold-tipped branches that eliminate the need to garland or tinsel it up.
3. When do you put up the tree?
First weekend of December.
4. When do you take the tree down?
Around Epiphany (January).
5. Do you like eggnog?
Yes. But it has to be in a glass glass and have a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg on top.
6. Favorite gift received as a child.
Probably my bike.
7. Hardest people to buy for?
My in-laws.
8. Easiest person to buy for?
Myself. I always get myself something to me from me (and not always yarn).
9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes. The complete version. And the kids have a one that they’ve had for a few years that they can’t break.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I don’t know.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
I have several: White Christmas; The Bishop’s Wife (the original version); Christmas in Connecticut.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I try to start before Thanksgiving, but it never happens.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No. But my hubby has taken one back from his brother.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
The cookies we make.
16. Lights on the tree?
Yes. This year they’re all white with one lone strand of flicker bulbs.
17. Favorite Christmas song?
There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays by Perry Como is probably my all time favorite. But I like all the traditional hymns, too.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We stay at home. My parents and my in-laws come here for presents on Christmas Day and for dinner.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Yes. If I sing the song in my head while naming them!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
We have a star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
When I was a kid we were allowed one present on Christmas Eve, but the rest on Christmas Day.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
How people try to ignore why we celebrate Christmas.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
We usually just put up the classics – the reflective balls in varying colors, and then the ornament that myself and my hubby had as kids and the ones our kids have made over the years.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
We do the traditional Italian dinner. Antipasto and then lasagna.
25. Favorite TV Christmas special?
A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Yet Another Hat

Pattern: Norwegian Star Earflap Hat by Tiennie
(thanks Tiennie! It's a great pattern!)
Yarn: Cascade 220, olive/sage green and winter white/cream.
Modifications: I knitted extra rows above the snowflake section to fit my Hubby's head and make sure it came down over his head. I also added a red fleck in the middle of each snowflake (not pictured) and I think it makes the snowflakes pop!

This was a great and easy hat to knit! My Munchkin wants one too! (he's modeling it and has been wearing it around the house even though it's too big for him)
I think I'm on a hat kick because I already started another one! This one's a father/daughter in a yellow tweedy wool/silk/cashmere blend!

...When the Dog Bites...

What do you think?



I don't think she's biting.

{Have to stick to my theme from yesterday. And, I couldn't wait until DOT!}

A Few of My Favorite Things...

I love hats. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you'll probably already know that fact. So, when my LittleOne (whose birthday was actually on Thanksgiving this year) wanted fingerless mitts, well...I had to make a hat to go with them! She's very particular about the knitted things she wears (as most 1st graders are), and will not wear anything remotely scratchy. So...what's a knitting mom supposed to do? Whip out all that acrylic she's got hiding in the stash, that's what!




A purple floppy hat.

Pattern: My own (if anyone wants it let me know).

Yarn: Caron Wintuk in violet.

And the mitts that started this whole adventure. (I love the fingerless mitts, too. They're such a useful knit for those early morning walks to school when it's chilly, but I can still hold Ella's leash and do the dog owner thing {ie: pick up after dog}.)

Pattern: Evangeline.

Yarn: same as above.

Modifications: went down a couple of needle sizes to fit her small hand. Otherwise worked the pattern as stated.

Now....this next item is probably my most favorite, favorite, favorite (can I say any more?) hat I've ever knit and worn.

Isn't it great?



Pattern: Selbu Modern.
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca in navy and winter white.
Modifications: went up to a size 3 for the body of the hat (and the ribbing was done on #2's) to accommodate for the bulkier yarn.
Note: I did knit the color work inside out on the circular -- keeps the floats from pulling too tight! Try it! It works.

Love, love, love this hat! It's warm, but not overly so. The alpaca/wool yarn is lofty and has just enough fuzziness to it to hide any imperfections of the color work. I did wear it here on Friday morning when Hubby and I hit the stores at 5 am! It was drizzling (yes, it does rain here in the desert) and damp for the weekend. Now we're back to the coolish mornings and warmer afternoons. Once that sun goes down though, the desert gets cold!


(And, yes, this was the hat that inspired the LYS owner! She wrote down the pattern name and was going to look it up on ravelry!)