Now that November has started it feels like Christmas is only round the corner, apologies if you didn't want to be reminded. In years past I have been in the middle of a frantic period of making gifts from a list which seemed to grow as fast as I could complete anything. Knitting everything meant that I had to start back in August but spending five months of the year making Christmas presents was not something I wanted to do every year. So far, this years list doesn't contain much knitting what is included is not cast on as yet, so I currently on the needles is several projects for myself which seems rather indulgent........a cardigan using the blue yarn, it was one huge skein that I bought really cheaply from a friend of a friend I have guesstimated the length. I have been creating fairisle swatches for the yoke as I don't want to play yardage chicken* with the blue yarn, I think I need a creamy coloured yarn as well which means a trip to the yarn shop........
......in the meantime a sock for me, my knitting is very colour co-ordinated at the moment!
Other projects include some wee presents for friends, a story sack in planning, quilt squares and a birthday bag for Alice's friend, she wants one now, of course! I am trying to find that all important balance of making some gifts and ensuring that I have time to do so within family life. I always buy a few too as some of my family are difficult enough to choose gifts for as it is, without spending the time making something that I am not quite sure they will like or want. It is of course early days and come this time next month I may be feeling slightly overwhelmed by my own planning.........
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*when you are not quite sure if you have enough yarn to complete a project.
Joining Nicole
Gorgeous projects. You are right about the cream for the fair isle and I love the purple Celtic knot(?) running up the leg of the sock.
ReplyDeleteSan x
It is a Celtic knot :). This pattern requires a lot of concentration on my part so I can see it growing very slowly......
DeleteOh wow, so much handmade goodness in this post. Love the sock pattern, and the yarn and colour look so delicious :) The little stars are adorable, and that birthday bag is awesome. I'm with Alice, I want one too :)
ReplyDeleteHappy creating!
Thank you Kim! The bag was fun to make, I made one for myself over the summer perhaps I should share that too?
DeleteI love the sound of all your project plans. I think I may have been a bit too ambitious with my own holiday making intentions, but we'll see what happens. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is so easy to be over ambitious isn't it, when we want to make gifts for everyone!
DeleteGreat projects. the bag is my favorite! I don't think I completely realized it was November until I read this. We have birthdays to get through first, so I'm in a bit of denial about the holidays still. :) Have a good week. :)
ReplyDeleteWe have a birthday next week. The quilt was meant to be for that but illness put paid to that being finished in time. I know it will be well received whenever it is finished........
DeleteBeautiful projects, I'm totally impressed! I struggle with knitting... I do cross-stitch and am trying to learn crochet. It's just finding the time for everything! x
ReplyDeleteIt is about finding the time for everything, I agree! I have not been able to master crochet, hope you can :)
DeleteAll your yarn colours are wonderfull. Love that sock pattern, I need to move out of my sock comfort zone and try something different like cables.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the finished quilt - is a a log cabin design?
I think the quilt design is based on the log cabin I am au fait with all the different quilt designs I am sort of following instructions from a book! The cable pattern is beautiful but not one I can knit without consentrating I can see progress with be slow ;)
DeleteYou are so right, it feels like Christmas round the corner - and it is!
ReplyDeleteWe are totally in the mood for baking and making presents and will savour the next weeks!
Your socks are beautiful - and all that lovely yarn! And I really like those little red stars too!
Thank you, Christmas always seem to arrive quickly once November has started!
DeleteYou have lots of nice projects going on! The sock pattern is really pretty!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anke. The sock pattern is just what I was looking for but it is not one I can knit without concentrating hard, progress will be slow.......
DeleteYou've got some wonderful projects on the go and I'm looking forward to hearing more about the story sack, you've made some fabulous ones in the past, I think they're such a good idea. Love that house fabric too.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to getting started on the storysack, I do love making them!
DeleteAll the yarn looks so lovely! Happy crafting!
ReplyDeleteThank you Alina :)
DeleteI am in the middle of that frantic period you describe, I'm never going to get it all done! I love that sock pattern, you are very talented with all this craftiness going on ;-)
ReplyDeleteAw thanks Karen, hope you get all your gifts made in time!
Deletewow, so many amazing projects going! love those stars. :)
ReplyDeleteSo do I, I sat and sewed and stuffed three yesterday whilst the children were in a French class. They are a good portable project!
DeleteYour lilac sock yarn is beautiful and I happened to just have finished a hat using the same cable pattern! Ever since I completed the cardigan for my daughter that uses cables to make the owl pattern, I am hooked on cables!
ReplyDeleteCables are great aren't they, they work with all yarns!
DeleteSuch beautiful creations! I am in awe. Could you please show more of what look like red star decorations? I am just finishing off some knitted decorations for my tree and am after ideas for some which are reasonably toddler/cat proof. X
ReplyDeleteI will share them when they are finished off, they are red star decorations. They are basically two pieces of red felt cut into stars, one is embroidered with a snowflake then sewn together with a little wool stuffing to give them a bit of form. I am currently pondering what to attach to them to hang them up ;)
Deleteyarn chicken! haha, i like that.
ReplyDeletei always forget the xmas frenzy until someone mentions it. we don't do xmas at all, so the idea of spending 5 months making gifts is astonishing to me. whatever the reason, i love your dedication to making before buying.
and adore the sock colour.
I have stopped the five months of making I too thought that was over the top! I started in the middle of October this year, making a list and am slowly working my way through it :). Tell me how do you manage not to do xmas? My little family would probably be ok with it but the extended family..........
DeleteWhat a lovely little bag! x
ReplyDeleteThank you, I had fun making it.
DeleteI am drooling over your projects :) so lovely and inspiring and inviting!. I knit all year round, sometime I knit something and then decide well this can be so and so's gift. And like now, I'm knitting specifically for certain people. Remember my kiddos are grown up!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen. I always inspired by others do I am glad I can pass that on too :)
DeleteI admire your skill in stitching, and your wisdom in trying to pace yourself realistically...[my dreams are usually grander than my achievements :) ] I am glad you are giving yourself permission to enjoy making something for yourself!
ReplyDeleteI don't always get it right Gracie! I try and pace myself but am often to be found frantically trying to get it all done at the end!
DeleteYou have got a lot on the go, I am impressed. Happy stitching, knitting etc. x
ReplyDeleteThank you, I just hope I can keep up with it all.......
DeleteYou've got some great projects on the go! Love the cable and the colour of your sock. I have yet to knit a sock and perhaps this will be the year I face my fears :)
ReplyDeleteWendy
Give them a go, they are not difficult if you pick the right pattern. There are loads of easy patterns on Ravelry :)
DeleteWow, you are certainly very busy. Very impressive. I have visited here for the first time as I have come from thistlebear's blog . I do love the things you make. Have a lovely day
ReplyDeleteThank you. I am busy and will be for a few more weeks I think!
DeleteYour handmade gifts and projects on the go are all so very lovely - you will have some lucky recipients! I love your colour palate as well - beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI do hope they will be liked, they are all carefully chosen but I am always apprehensive when I wrap them up and gift them........
DeleteAll that beautiful handmade goodness... Like you, I get overwhlemed towards the end. Christmas always comes quicker than I would want it. But I've also come to peace with the fact that I simply cannot make everything. So we have equally split the list between store bought and homemade this year and my stress level has gone way down. :-) Your yarns aare beautiful... that gorgeous purple...
ReplyDeleteWe have such similar views Yanic. I too put myself under pressure to make everything but realised it was too much. I try to balance with some bought and some homemade :)
DeleteSome cute projects there. *I call it yarn roulette! You learn who to make for and who to buy for and indeed who not to bother with at all come to that! Happy making. Jo x
ReplyDeletehttp://joeveryday19@blogspot.co.uk
Thank you, you are right that you learn who to make for. Some are much harder than others so I usually buy their presents!
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