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.