Spindleknitter's Stockings by Kristen Hall are my first must knit rave of the 2013 holiday season. Knit 'em up. The pattern is free, and it's really good. I've read it through and these are definitely on my holiday list. Add 'em to yours!
Showing posts with label holiday knitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday knitting. Show all posts
Monday, September 2, 2013
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Gift Knits Club is Open!
It's here! The Gift Knits Club is open for membership. Knit the gifts you want to give (or keep - we won't tell!) at a manageable pace throughout the year. Each pattern comes with the recommended yarn, so you'll never be searching for that last, elusive skein to finish a project. Membership is limited, and will be closed without notice when the club maximum has been reached.
Features:
New kit each month including original Liz Marino pattern and premium yarns to make the Gift Knit of the Month, shipped on or about the 15th of the month
Exclusive Liz Marino Club patterns will not be made available to non-club members until 3 months after Club release date
Kits will not be made available retroactively or to non-members
Jan = Straight needle gloves for her (s,m,l)
Feb = Snuggly Socks - adult (men, women)
Mar = Woven-look Purse
Apr = Eco-Friendly Washcloth Gift Pack
May = Holiday Knit-Ahead Hat
June = Yoga Stirrup Socks - one size
No substitutions are available. Color and size is determined by Liz Marino. Each month's kit is the only kit available for that month. Kits are not available retroactively.
Membership will not be automatically renewed for July-Dec. Membership will be opened to current members in April and non-members in May based on availability.
Membership is open to North American mailing addresses only. The price is $27 per month, for a total of $162 USD. Payment must be received in full; no month to month memberships are available.
Thanks for joining this adventure! I can hardly wait!
Features:
New kit each month including original Liz Marino pattern and premium yarns to make the Gift Knit of the Month, shipped on or about the 15th of the month
Exclusive Liz Marino Club patterns will not be made available to non-club members until 3 months after Club release date
Kits will not be made available retroactively or to non-members
Jan = Straight needle gloves for her (s,m,l)
Feb = Snuggly Socks - adult (men, women)
Mar = Woven-look Purse
Apr = Eco-Friendly Washcloth Gift Pack
May = Holiday Knit-Ahead Hat
June = Yoga Stirrup Socks - one size
No substitutions are available. Color and size is determined by Liz Marino. Each month's kit is the only kit available for that month. Kits are not available retroactively.
Membership will not be automatically renewed for July-Dec. Membership will be opened to current members in April and non-members in May based on availability.
Membership is open to North American mailing addresses only. The price is $27 per month, for a total of $162 USD. Payment must be received in full; no month to month memberships are available.
Thanks for joining this adventure! I can hardly wait!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
The Busy Season
It's happened again. The LYS has its most tempting fibers in the most dreamy colors, and as the leaves turn colors we start lining up the 87 patterns we plan to have finished by the first of the year.
The only problem with that, of course, is that there aren't even 87 days left until the first of the year! That complicates fulfilling this fantasy, unless we're making tiny projects out of big, bulky yarns. So, what to do?
Well, as tempting as it is to caffeinate within an inch of my life and knit straight through, my family and dog expect me to spend time with them, my boss thinks I should go to work, and frankly, I'm a total psycho on no sleep. Instead, it's time for a plan.
Short of some of those very helpful fairies who help finish my work while I sleep, I need to accept that I'm not gong to finish everything I want to. Here's what I do: First, I try to get real about the number of projects. It makes sense to adjust the priorities and shorten the list. (This is tough when everyone you know asks for knitted stuff for the holidays, but there really is only so much you can do.) Than I plan my workflow: gifts first, alternating less technical patterns with complex ones. I check the patterns against stash yarn, and see if I can save myself some shopping time.
Next, I make a queue, alternating big projects with little ones. When I can't stand one more stitch on the blanket or sweater, it's great to pull out baby booties or a pair of mittens. (There's faster gratification on little projects.) Once I feel good about finishing my (much shorter) gift list, I'll let myself cast on a project for myself. Then, a few rows on the project for me is a reward for meeting a knitting goal on some other project.
I won't finish everything. I know me: I'll keep adding things to my list until New Year's Eve. But that's part of the fun, really. I'd hate to wake up one morning and not have twenty things I'd love to knit that day. I'll get my gifts finished, though. That's a start.
The only problem with that, of course, is that there aren't even 87 days left until the first of the year! That complicates fulfilling this fantasy, unless we're making tiny projects out of big, bulky yarns. So, what to do?
Well, as tempting as it is to caffeinate within an inch of my life and knit straight through, my family and dog expect me to spend time with them, my boss thinks I should go to work, and frankly, I'm a total psycho on no sleep. Instead, it's time for a plan.
Short of some of those very helpful fairies who help finish my work while I sleep, I need to accept that I'm not gong to finish everything I want to. Here's what I do: First, I try to get real about the number of projects. It makes sense to adjust the priorities and shorten the list. (This is tough when everyone you know asks for knitted stuff for the holidays, but there really is only so much you can do.) Than I plan my workflow: gifts first, alternating less technical patterns with complex ones. I check the patterns against stash yarn, and see if I can save myself some shopping time.
Next, I make a queue, alternating big projects with little ones. When I can't stand one more stitch on the blanket or sweater, it's great to pull out baby booties or a pair of mittens. (There's faster gratification on little projects.) Once I feel good about finishing my (much shorter) gift list, I'll let myself cast on a project for myself. Then, a few rows on the project for me is a reward for meeting a knitting goal on some other project.
I won't finish everything. I know me: I'll keep adding things to my list until New Year's Eve. But that's part of the fun, really. I'd hate to wake up one morning and not have twenty things I'd love to knit that day. I'll get my gifts finished, though. That's a start.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Sarcasm
Holiday knitting is sometimes more labor than love. I'm feeling a little sarcastic today, and think that could manifest very well in knitting. Sarcastic gift suggestions follow:
For the folks who have to put on jewelry with everything, make socks with gold yarn and sequins.
For the fashion forward type, obviously something convertible so they can change it at their fashion whim.
For the one who is always cold, a sweater with an inside p-p-pocket for a hot water b-b-bottle.
For the one who is always warm, start a sweater, and give it to them unfinished so they'll never feel obligated to wear it.
For the shy, I recommend a flesh toned balaclava (ski mask).
For the wine drinker, something in a nice Cabernet (color). For the beer drinker, something washable in case they spill while excited watching the game. For both, a little pocket for the Tylenol for the possible impending hangover.
For the couch potato(e for Dan Quayle), a sweater with pockets for remote, phone, and snacks. The design on the front could be the blip line of an EKG, illustrating they still have a pulse.
For the angry curmudgeon type, any garment with a smiley face would be great. (Gotta love the contrast.)
For the very vain, a hat that looks like their hairstyle so they'll never have to worry about hat-head.
For yourself, a good laugh and a good-natured hug. Enjoy your holiday knitting projects!
For the folks who have to put on jewelry with everything, make socks with gold yarn and sequins.
For the fashion forward type, obviously something convertible so they can change it at their fashion whim.
For the one who is always cold, a sweater with an inside p-p-pocket for a hot water b-b-bottle.
For the one who is always warm, start a sweater, and give it to them unfinished so they'll never feel obligated to wear it.
For the shy, I recommend a flesh toned balaclava (ski mask).
For the wine drinker, something in a nice Cabernet (color). For the beer drinker, something washable in case they spill while excited watching the game. For both, a little pocket for the Tylenol for the possible impending hangover.
For the couch potato(e for Dan Quayle), a sweater with pockets for remote, phone, and snacks. The design on the front could be the blip line of an EKG, illustrating they still have a pulse.
For the angry curmudgeon type, any garment with a smiley face would be great. (Gotta love the contrast.)
For the very vain, a hat that looks like their hairstyle so they'll never have to worry about hat-head.
For yourself, a good laugh and a good-natured hug. Enjoy your holiday knitting projects!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Anniversary
I finished cabled mitt number 1 for my daughter, and continue to love both the pattern and the yarn. Cascade Greenland really rocks for garments you need to be durable. This isn't a super soft yarn, but it's totally not itchy, really high twist with nice loft, and gorgeous stitch definition. The new mitt is on the top, my old one is on the bottom, both in Greenland.
I'm a bit behind where I want to be on the holiday knitting front, mostly because I keep adding things to the list (like cabled mitts for my daughter). And that I'm not a really fast knitter. And that two knitting hours a day is maybe less than I need. And I mostly want to make things with a zillion stitches, like socks. I need to sleep less or plan better. Plan better. Karma is biting my gift-giving butt!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Holiday Knitting
If you haven't discovered it yet, you really should look at Knitty, an online knitting magazine with free patterns and articles for knitters of most levels. This season, as with most, they have fabulous patterns and articles. The Queen City Mitts are a good example. They are an excellent first or second cable pattern for the new cable knitter. There are only a few cable crosses (5 I think), and the finished garment is beautiful and unusual. For more experienced knitters, it's a great pattern to add to your holiday gift pattern list.
Speaking of holiday knitting, I'm behind. Yes, I have been studying too much and knitting too little (depending on your priorities) and the socks for the Mr. are still not done. I'm also working on a Christmas stocking pattern to teach for a class at Karma. It's a modification of one I've made before, and I want it to be fast and painless for the students, while still creating an attractive product.
What are you working on for your holiday projects? Is this your first year making knitted gifts, or are you an old hand? Do you have any favorite holiday patterns? Share them! Thanks.
Speaking of holiday knitting, I'm behind. Yes, I have been studying too much and knitting too little (depending on your priorities) and the socks for the Mr. are still not done. I'm also working on a Christmas stocking pattern to teach for a class at Karma. It's a modification of one I've made before, and I want it to be fast and painless for the students, while still creating an attractive product.
What are you working on for your holiday projects? Is this your first year making knitted gifts, or are you an old hand? Do you have any favorite holiday patterns? Share them! Thanks.
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