Could you have resisted buying such a great looking bottle of wine?
Just wanted to say, thank you so much for visiting this little space. Really, it means a lot.
I won't be back here until after the first of the year.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Cheers!
Leslie

Hands down, one of my favorite things to make. I had no idea. I have been checking in with sew mama sew!, on some quick gifts, and found this. The tutorial couldn't have been easier. It is the perfect thing to use all your little leftovers that you don't want to discard. And after the beach blanket I finished, I had a lot of little Amy Butler scraps and thought this would be the perfect thing. Nice to look at, useful, and I think they must taste good, as well. I sent some to my sister, and her dog ate an entire one. I kid you not. When they weren't home, her dog found them, unwrapped them and went to town. Delicious little coasters.
Still finishing a few things around here.

Amazing. I seem to be on some sort of post roll. I don't think I have ever posted more than two days in a row, let alone five. And, I may have a couple more before the big day.
Just a few hats I wanted to share.
First up, for my husband. I initially wanted to make this for both boys, but the small is fairly large, so it will be going to my husband instead. I have another one on the needles that will be given to my father in law.
Pattern: Inca Alpaca Garter Ridge Hat, Glorious Knitting.
Yarn: Inca Marl by Classic Elite, 3 hanks.
Needles: size 101/2, I used double points for the whole hat.
Notes: I think this hat is too cool. And done in garter stitch is super quick.
Next up. Also going to my husband.
Pattern: Simple Hat from Cables Untangled.
Yarn: Cascade 220, super wash. 2 balls.
Needles: size 7
Notes: I LOVE this hat. I mean, really love it. I want one. Maybe in chocolate. Or white.

And, for Libby. Because she wanted a hat with ear flaps and braids to match her coat.
Pattern: Thorpe, designed by Kirsten Kapur.
Yarn: Mauch Chunky, 1 ball apple, 1 ball spice.
Needles: I used 10's because I didn't have double points in 9.
Notes: This is the cutest, quickest knit ever. And of course, perfectly written. I want to make them for Birthday gifts for my kids friends. Honestly, I bet you have some chunky yarn in your stash, and the pattern is free, you could whip one up tonight. And you have to love a pattern that forces you to learn a new skill. I learned the half double crochet stitch. And, I must say, I loved it.

I would love to say that I made my first quilt, but I am not sure if I can officially call it that. It surely doesn't hold a candle to any of Amandajean's or Louise's or any other quilts I have seen out there. But I did sew together squares and I did put a backing on it with batting inside. So maybe, it is a semi-quilt.

I know, so lame. Just finished my cards this morning. It's not like I haven't had the photo for weeks. For some reason, I get my cards out at the last minute every year. I promised a few a photo of all three sweaters together. This isn't the photo we used, but this photo actually shows the sweaters better.

I am the type of knitter that usually only has a couple of things on the needles. One small, and one big. I like to finish them before moving onto the next. As you can see, this is why. I made one while at the beach in August. I made the other one the other day. Somewhere down in the cables I had fewer rows on one. Damn. Years ago, I would have never given this to someone. I absolutely would have fixed this mistake.

Look what flew in from Erin! Thank you, Erin.

Everything over here is in pretty much the same state. The half completed state.
Half of the cards, half of the shopping, half of the sewing, one glove to be knit, one hat to be knit, half of the wrapping, half of the tree decorating, even Libby's craft, half way finished. She has joy written, and I noticed a heart on one side this morning. I guess we are just looking for a little peace.

Have a wonderful weekend.

For my mother-in-law: the cable comfort throw from lion brand. I know it is only a blanket, and I do realize that it is 80% acrylic, but I am so in love with this. It is really heavy, and oh so warm. And guess what? It is a really quick knit! I did a little figuring to let you know how many hours it took, just in case you still have someone on your list who needs something to keep them warm. (Hey, others have actually counted stitches, that might be next for me.) All right now, this is knit in 5 panels (unless you are like Kim, and knit yours all in one piece). Each panel took me 4 hours. So, if you knit for 2 hours a day, you could have this knit in 10 days. See, still time!

The clicking sound of my needles has now turned into the machine gun sound of my sewing machine. (Wow, does it need a tune-up.) I stopped long enough with the gift sewing to make something for us. I knew I had to make some little trees after seeing Emily's. The whole time I was doing it, I had to remind myself of what Libby said, about making life nice. And, I really think they do. The fabric package pillows were made years ago, and are always a favorite around here.

I do have some knitting to show. Just as soon as I get some photos.
Enjoy your weekend.

Wow. The mailman has made me very happy lately. All sorts of fun stuff popping up in my mailbox. Melana sent me my very first skein of sundara yarn. I have never knit with this before, and am very excited to cast on for a pair of socks using one of the patterns she also included. And, she must have known how dry my hands get, because there was also a little tin of the most magical lotion made just for knitters! Thank you so much Melana, you are just too sweet.

Last weeks craft, advent calendar.
I really wanted this from Garnet Hill. Of course, I wanted to make it, not buy it. (They sold out.) However, there was no time to make it. Whip out the sewing machine, stitch two pieces of fabric together in the shapes of mittens and stockings. Something similar. Hopefully next year we will enjoy a knit one. When I took this photo, and when we woke up on the first day of December, I only had these three days finished. Over the weekend, the rest was cut and sewed. I just have to iron on the numbers. Just a few days late.
Last weeks cookie: Dunkin Hines brownie mix.

I forgot to tell you that the pattern for the charmed scarf, that I made for my father-in-law, is here. And, it is free. Isn't that charming? And yes, I actually took time to take a photo. jeesh. But hey, what's a post without a photo?
Happy Knitting.

Still don't know what to make those loved ones? How about something to keep their neck warm? For the gentleman who has everything, who is usually on call as a babysitter, who drops off coffee for you unexpectedly, how about a reversible cable scarf out of charmed. It will take 3 balls. I know it is a little pricey, but he is totally worth it. And, since you can't wait until Christmas to give it to him, just go ahead, give it to him early. (Yes, that would be my father-in-law.)

Really, I am thankful for so many wonderful things. Obviously, the obvious. Health, family, home, safety, friends. A few others, I wanted to share.
Clasic Elite's yarn, charmed (oh, does it feel good in my hands) :: the (new to me)new site for cookies to help me with our cookie of the week (it turned out more like cake, but was delicious) :: the movie sweet november (one of my favorite movies, keep the tissues near.)

Andrew wanted nothing to do with modeling his sweater. But a one mile drive with permission to throw rocks and the potential to get wet and muddy? He was in!Andrew, 8,( favorite book: cat in the hat)
All right, you know it. It's the cobblestone pullover from Interweave Knits. Jared did a fantastic job designing a sweater for everyone. Men, women, boys and girls. Anyone could wear it.

This is one of my favorite hat patterns. The absolute quickest knit, and a great gift. I made Andrew one last year, and he wears it all of the time. I have had to sew the streamer back on a few times. While playing football at recess, the boys grab it to try to stop him. I would just love to see that little boy standing there holding the hershey kiss streamer, as Andrew keeps running.
I am happy to check two gifts off of my list.
It is the meathead hat from Larissa. Her knitalong book will be out in March, and you can preorder it here. Although, anyone that sends $4.50 to Larissa's paypal account, at dumbmail AT larissabrown DOT net, can receive the pattern via pdf form. The pattern has two sizes, with children wearing the small size. Check out the flickr group for ideas on embellishments, or add a streamer out of interfacing for a hershey kiss.

I know, don't say anything. I can't believe that my youngest is eight. It really is such a shocker.
Monday, Andrew turned eight. But in true youngest child fashion, I am posting about it three days late. This is the child that always has a smile for you. Happy go lucky. The sweet little boy that completed our family.

I had three very exciting arrivals yesterday. Two came in the form of mail. The kind of mail that you can't wait to open. My first issue of MixTape. Have you seen this fabulous little zine? Justine and Nichola are the editors and publishers. It is packed full of crafty inspiration from crafty bloggers all over the world. It is really, really fantastic!