Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS

There is excitement in the air today as all make the final preparations for their holiday doings.

As you can see progress is being made by Yarn Elf. Though a few things may not make it.

Some small stockings are done and were put into a kit for giving

Hats are being worked on for my sister's three granddaughters. They should keep some heads warm and make them look like the little angles they are. Well most of the time.

Another purple and white (with a touch of hot pink) stocking was finished

As you can tell there is always something being done in the workshop. Some times some things are a little different such as the purple stocking which was a special request.

Hopefully your special gifts are on the down side and you have time planned with the special people in your life. That is what started Christmas as we were special to God so that he sent his own son for us.

Busy Time

It is a busy time in the shop. Packages are being wrapped for customer pick-up, items boxed for shipment so a customer can finish her project, or it might be a Christmas package wrapped and shipped. At this of the year we get to be involved in many different Christmas or Holiday gifts and traditions. It is a time of learning as well as excitement as no two years are ever the same.

Some of my own projects are near completion. Mr. Snowman is almost finished in this shot. He will hold candy canes for the visitors to my parents home.

He was finished and shipped. At his new home he will find a friend, Mrs. Snowman was made last year and her apron has pockets to hold goodies also.

At this time of the year can you have to many goodies?

(As a note my Mom was so thrilled to get him.)

Then I have the mate going for my purple and white stocking given last Christmas. This one has snowballs, snowflakes, and snowmen as the theme. Yes she likes some snow, as she spent time in snow while going to college.

Along with the current going ons, it is also required to begin plans for the new year which is fast approaching. Maybe a shop KAL or two. Then there is also all the end of the year things which have to be done.

So how are your holiday projects coming?

Giving Thanks

The holiday season will officially begin tomorrow. It is time to reflect on what we have to be thankful for and to also remember to not get so engrossed in the tasks of the season not to enjoy this time of family and friends.

First everyone should be thankful of the country they live in and for all those past, present, and future who have, are, or will serve to give you the precious gift of freedom. Then you have a family and special people in your life, some you deal with on a daily basis and some only on occasion. Due to some up and downs this year I have gained the gift of a few extra extra special people in my life. Family should always be special. What do you have to be thankful for? Health, food on the table, a hobby you can share, or a year that has been good for you to name a few things?

Yes, it is a busy time as the pictures below show, things are being worked on the season fast approaching. There was a customer in a few days ago who was making Christmas gifts for her friends, because she was wanting to share with them for their special day. This may not seem strange till you consider she is Jewish. The friend with her said that they were going to share Hanukkah -a learning time for both.

The first picture shows the Tweedle Dee Project. One skein knitted, as you can see the color repeat is long. This would make an interesting sweater.

Stockings are progressing along, heels turned and foot to begin. A gift that gives for many years.

Wishing all a HAPPY THANKSGIVING and many happy memories ahead in the holiday time.

Thanks to some special friends for the gift of friendship and support, Yarn Diva, Yarn Vixen,Yarn Elf Substitute, and Lupe.

LACE LACE AND LACE

The discussion in the work shop the last several days is what kind of lace project to choose. I really like this one and this one and this one. Should it be a big project or a small. Will I get tired of repeating this pattern for the ? time. What kind of yarn to use ? Alpaca? Silk? Wool? Would lace work for a shop knit along in the new year?

What started this discussion was the arrival of the February Knit N Style and Interweave's Knitted Lace of Estonia.

The Lace Diamond Shawl in Knit N Style is very eye catching and would be a boost to the winter blues in the early spring.

But not to be out done there are some nice lace scarf patterns along with shawls in the Knitted Lace of Estonia. Check out their Webb sites for more details

http://www.interweave.com/knit/books_knitting.asp

http://www.knitnstyle.com/

On the shelf is some of Skacel Merino Lace, that would work up wonderful in some of the patterns. Also there is some fingering weight both in skein and cone in Brown Sheep"s Nature Spun which covers some of the other projects.

http://brownsheep.com/ns.htm

http://www.skacelknitting.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.8781/.f

You will have to stop back and find out what was decided. Will it be one project or two? Which yarn won my heart for which project?

What Happening

As you can see customers have there own ideas for Christmas. Here are two creatures that have been brought in for display as Christmas toys. There is a snake in Light and Lofty and a turtle in Super Saver, both yarns from Red Heart Yarn. They are made up as they go, by this creative friend of Yarn Elf, who is my substitute when I am gone, His nick name is Yarn Elf Substitute.
He likes to do his own thing in crochet and does quite well without patterns, though I do offer suggestions on crochet technique to help him out so it looks more professional or finished.
http://www.coatsandclark.com/



Some books arrived yesterday to help with gift giving thoughts and maybe some small projects.
One or two skein projects can work up fast. Or Maybe the books could become a Christmas gift.
Another thought could be a book and the yarn for a project out of the book.






To update you on one of my projects. The snowman
candy cane holder, has the snowman finished. All he
needs are the arms sewed on and the face applied. There is a crocheted hat and scarf to finish him off. He should be a great hit with the great grand kids this year as well as there other visitors.

Need To Be Inspired

New magazines have arrived to tempt you. If you are as a some of us who do it all or have many creative outflows. Anna maybe your magazine. It reminds me of Work Basket of the bygone days. Is your stash not only yarn, but beads, embroidery floss, or material to name a few things.

You crochet, knit, quilt, or do cross-stitch, etc. and you can not go anywhere near any kind of sale because there is a chance you could add to your collection of future projects. Then you might check this one out if this is your profile.

http://www.handknitting.com/Verena_Knitting_p/verenaf08.htm

http://www.annacrafts.com/

http://www.knitnstyle.com/

Also Knit N Style the February 2009 is in. Can you think 2009 yet? That is two knit magazines to inspire your fall knitting. If you are up to a lace challenge Knit N Style has a shawl called Lace Diamond Shawl, that might fit this need. Or if you are think a new sweater for you or your love one check out the Verena issue, it has a nice mix of fair isles, cables, and lace patterns.

As for Yarn Elf , he is still working on Christmas and progress is being made. There are several stockings in progress and a snowman candy cane holder that my Mother wants

Then there are projects from others to share so maybe you will be inspired to share your talent with others. One is a crocheted hat with ear flaps and mitten set and the other is a crocheted place mat.

Projects To Share

Time to be inspired and to share a project brought in for show and tell before it is given as a Christmas gift.

This lap robe size afghan is also the perfect size to give a child to carry around. It is done in Caron Simply Soft Brites and a pattern from their web site. The blocks have different stitch patterns so you can not get tired of doing the same thing over. She chose Lemonade, Limelight, Watermelon, and Grape. The pattern is Soften Your Mornings.

http://www.caron.com/color_cards/cc_brites.html

I am sure the special girl getting this special gift will enjoy the colors and be kept toasty warm also. Thanks Yarn Vixen for sharing your project with us.

Also an up date on the Tweedle Dee Warp. It is knitting up soft and the color way is interesting as you can see by this updated picture. It is working up quick so you could have one done for your holiday wear. No time for a Christmas project? How about a small simple project for the hour you watch TV.

Christmas Surprise In November

This young lady is a regular at the shop and has been going to college along with working. So I and another of her dear friend had a discussion back in April because I wanted to do something for her graduation which will also be close to Christmas. So one of my projects for the year has been a graduation/Christmas gift. She had been looking a pattern in Knit N Style , April 2008 issue called Slant on Nature so that became the project which was going to become a kit of knitted pieces hat would require assembly so she could make it her style.

http://www.knitnstyle.com/

Next I had to find a yarn, she had been admiring Patons's SWS for awhile, could that one be used. It is an mix of wool and soy, so after playing with some the decision was yes. I liked the feel and the way it was working up. Next choice was color, I know some of her likes and dislikes. the one that caught my attention was Natural Geranium. The name went with the project title, and also she is a fan of Debbie Macomber so it just seemed right to use that one.

http://www.patonsyarns.com/product.php?LGC=sws

http://www.debbiemacomber.com/

After a few bumps in the road this year , you see the results of my knitting

Christmas would not be Christmas without a few surprises and I am sure she will enjoy her surprise for many years.

Progess For The Holiday

This time of the year brings those out who are beginning to think of the holiday gift giving and the trend seem to be I want something useful but also want it to look special. There are many basic yarns as well as some yarns that could create a special project and still allow you to say within your budget range.

There are many nice books that offer small projects or one skein projects that would provide ideas that can go quick and yet be that gift that keeps on giving all year. Easy care for kids is something to think on, but school colors or their favorite color could be jumping off point. the same could be said about the special friend or coworker. Some offices are cold so the fingerless

mittens or leg warmers could be a special gift.

Do you have an elderly special someone one, lap robes can big just the right item and a 36 x36 square is about the right size for many, and they can also be thrown over the shoulders also.

YV, a special customer knew I had been wanting to try the Tweedle Dee to see how it worked up convinced me to give in and here is the beginning of the stole pattern off the skein I will have to share this as I get it further along. The size 13 needles seem big as it has been awhile since I have used that size and the yarn is knitting up soft. The yarn seems to have a long stretch before another shade comes along and pattern seems to be a chevron.

http://www.modadea.com/tweedledee.htm

Then I still have my special stocking project going on. I have one in a Fair Isle Pattern, one in color work, and one in Aran Pattern. I am converting a cross-stitch pattern to make one of my

stockings using some of her favorite colors. The

Aran is being done in a burgundy color. This is creating a rich looking stocking with bobbles, seed stitch, and twisted stitches. A cable can be used to create texture which looks very time consuming and real is not.

Check back often and see what is going on. You never know whar or when something will be shown

Preparing For The Holiday

Yarn has begun arriving for Holiday Projects. Several boxes came in to supply materials for projects.

There was a limited special Christmas yarn in acrylic and cotton from Bernat. The cotton is Bernat Handicrafter Holidays Sparkle in red and white with a silver thread wrapping it. The acrylic is Bernat Happy Holidays in red and green with a silver thread wrapping it. Then of course you have their everyday yarn in red, green, and white. You can view their fine yarns at:

http://www.bernat.com/

Then we also received the Red Heart Eco-Cotton Blend which is a recycled cotton yarn and Moda Dea Tweedle Dee which is a shaded effect yarn. Both should make some fine gits for the hard to please. For more information check out their sites.

http://www.coatsandclark.com/Products/KnittingCrochet/Yarns/Medium/Red+Heart+Eco-Cotton+Blend.htm

http://www.modadea.com/tweedledee.htm

Tweedle Dee has a nice stole pattern on the label which takes only three balls and a pair of #13 needles. At 45 stitches it should work up fast and be a warm addition to your holiday wardrobe.

Have you been to your favorite place and wander it to see what is taking place?

Christmas Future

Any holiday is based on things from the past, we expect certain foods or decorate because of memories. The things we make now will form the fabric of the future. That special person will remember you ever time that scarf, hat, socks are used. Homemade stocking are a reminder though the season of a special friend that is there in spirit to share this time of family and friends. I have been designing some small stockings for my sister with the thoughts of the grand kids in mind.

The books and magazines are out on the table to help get some ideas. The Debbie Macomber Friendship Shawl has some nice ideas for a quick gift, there are several knit on large needles (9, 10, etc). http://www.debbiemacomber.com/ that might be a thought. Interweave Press Knits Holiday Gifts and Knit Simple Holiday 2008 just came in to also inspire me.

http://www.interweaveknits.com/holiday/holidaygifts2008/

http://www.knitsimplemag.com/

Are you beginning to think of the memories you can make and share this season? Does something from your past come to mind? You still have time to create the next memory of the holiday.

Christmas Past Christmas Present

Are you begining to think Christmas and the sharing of your knit or crochet talents? I enjoy sharing with family and friends and wish I had more time to do so.

As you can see from last year picture stockings was on the must do list, everybody seems to like them, my whole family wanted one. But do many knitters really knit them? Schoolhouse Press had one in a KAL. http://www.schoolhousepress.com/christmasstocking.htm which might inspire you. I also did an unfinished pair of a Gingerbread Boy and Girl (the shadows only) to create a kit so a special friend could make them her own. Maybe she will finish them and allow them to be shared with our readers.

If you are into mysteries and like to have quick knit projects this years KAL is going on-- check out http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holidaymysterygifts/ for some fun and Christmas gifts made.


Or if you want to do small Christmas Stockings, this site has great instructions and pictures to help you along the way. I knit some in an acrylic sport weight yarn so they are easy care. These make great tags for gifts, small gifts to give, or ornaments. They could be a way to use up some of your odds and ends also. I use easy care for those gifts that are given to those who do not realize wool projects shrink.


http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/photos/free_pattern/stockings6.html








Are you into crochet, I had one customer last year use the pattern from Coats and Clark/Red Heart Yarn and crocheted some. The pattern she use can be found at:



http://www.coatsandclark.com/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=478&page_id=2885888&query=chochet+christmas+stocking&hiword=STOCK+STOCKED+STOCKINGS+STOCKS+christmas+stocking+

Christmas Before Thanksgiving

As a child I remember no Christmas

before Thanksgiving. Now it seems to come earlier and earlier.

If you are into giving the hand made gifts of love it starts early in the year and closer to the holiday you will find the magazines offering quick projects to give.

I have been working on Christmas stocking for awhile. Most of mine are custom designed as to whom is receiving them and I have two sizes going.

I have a Mrs. Snowman (or as some say snow -women) with a hooded cape of fake fur (eyelash yarn) and muff. Also one is of the Fair Isle design in large or small.

I am always on the lookout for things that will create an interesting stocking and sometimes my color choice is different for Christmas. Last year one stocking that caused a big stir was my white and purple stocking for a very special niece, who likes angles and purple.

Then there are gifts to make like socks, hats scarves, mittens that can be an easy but special gift.

I have one sock almost finished. The self-striping sock yarn can make an interesting pattern as found in the rib, the pattern , and the foot. Stockings can be a good project to help you learn about socking making. A simple one in red and white stripes might be a good one to begin with. Yarn can be anything and any size needle will work as it does not have to fit and you only have to make one. Christmas Stockings also make a good gift that last for years, my Mom has a pair I made 30 years ago.

My Customers

When you visit the store you might find someone from my neighborhood such as these two young ladies who do fiber arts. They come on a regular basis to browse the shop and look through the magazine and pattern books as well as to see what I have laying on the table. One has a sock project going called Big O and the other is planning on making some mini type Christmas stockings.

Then you might run into some one from Alaska, Ohio, Oregon, Minnesota, or even Canada. In the late fall, winter, or early spring there are winter visitors who spend time in the area or some stop by as they come and go on their winter journey. Then I have a very special young lady in PA who use to work in this neighborhood till she moved across the country. Yes I ship to her on occasion. You can find out more about her using this link
http://www.fibernating.blogspot.com/

Our customers are as varied as the ways to knit or crochet are. Some only knit, some only crochet,and some do it all-- knit, crochet, spin, weave, or cross-stitch to name a few of their talents. Yes there are several male in the area who do their own fiber arts.

My Neighborhood

I am between Here's to Your Health (a health food store) and the Arizona Range News (the local weekly news paper office). This is one of the historical sights in town as it was founded in 1884. I can remember as a child when they were at press the whole block use to shake.

If you are in the mood to walk a quarter of a block to the stop light and a block down you are on Rail Road Avenue. The path down Maley has some museums as well as Rail Road Avenue. When I was a child the post office and the bank were located here also.

On Rail Road Avenue you will find a park on one side along with the railroad that runs through the town on the other are shops, Rex Allen Museum and the Friends of Marty Robins Museum, Rodney's Place -a food establishment that has been recognized in some national magazines, the movie theater, and a bar. On another corner is a railroad car, that is home to Big Tex, a restaurant featuring barbecue and you can smell the wonderful smells early in the morning as he prepares for the day.

On this avenue located at one end is the oldest continually operating store in Arizona or so they claim The Willcox Commericial.

The park on the opposite side has a memorial to those who gave their lives so we might have our freedom and another memorial to Rex Allen .

Or you can choose to drive pass this and visit the Chiricahu National Moment which is located in the mountains. You will travel from the high desert though cattle ranches and end up in pine and oak forest. It was home to Chiricahua Apaches and Buffalo Soldiers as well as some interesting rock formations and over the mountain is Portal and the home to hummingbirds where many travel to see them as well as the country of Mexico.

As you can see I live in an neighborhood that can be a fun place to visit or work.

Location Location

They say location is important. So when a company or sales rep calls (520-384-3197) and ask where I am and I respond Willcox, AZ, they say where?

I again state 116 S. Haskell Ave., Willcox, AZ. It is located in southern Arizona in a county called Cochise. It is the land of history and legends. It was a big cattle shipping town, there was gun fights just up the street at one time. This is where Wyatt Earp and his family roamed, or where the Apache leader Cochise lived. Or more up to date this was the home of Rex Allen.

You can drive about a hour from Tucson and find us. The store is fifty miles from New Mexico or eighty miles from the country of Mexico. Tombstone and Bisbee are just down the road. This area has something for everyone, bird watchers flock here in the early part of the year, winter visitors come in the fall and go rock hounding among other things, families go camping in the mountains around us and families come to visit the U-Pick Farms and Apple orchards in the Fall.

So if you are traveling I10 head to Southern California; Phoenix, Arizona; or El Paso, Texas the store can be found on Business Loop in downtown Willcox, AZ. Just look for the dark peach and green building when you hit the stoplight down town.

NEW LOCATION NEW BEGINININGS

After eleven years in one location the store was required to move and due to the economic times it was time to downsize, so begins a new chapter in my life. It seems life is always full of changes.

The yarn (with a little hobby & craft items added) shop and I are getting settled into our new location with hopes to share our adventures of knitting, crocheting, shop happenings, and the things of life with those who wander across our blog.

Here you will find WIP, UFO, and some finished projects. Christmas time has started now in the shop and it is always an extra busy time in a Yarn Elf's workshop. Christmas would not be Christmas without some surprises and those hand-made gifts that speak of love and caring just as the first Christmas gift did so many years ago.

Come wander the aisles, meet the people who also wander them, see new yarns, and enjoy the tales of a yarn and hobby shop, a place for the whole family to visit.

You are welcome to stop by any time and find out what is happening in a small shop in south west and the things from the world which have an impact also.