Cowl count down to Christmas

 

In conjunction to this years New Years Resolution, I have decided to finally try and de-stash my hoarding closet full of yarn!  It has taken 10 months to finally start this resolution - although better late than never and I'm actually feeling accomplished!  My mission was to find 1 skein of lonely yarn and match it with the ideal pattern.  This is a project in itself!  However, I think I found the right patterns and I know that I have the right yarn. 

 

So Christmas gift #2 is......

Pattern:  Purl Bee, The Classic Cowl
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/classic-cowl-4

Since I only had 1 skein, I cast on just enough stitches to work in the round on the long needles that I had.  I believe I cast on 168 sts.  This is a Brioche stitch which is slow moving but I love it.  I used every last inch of this Rabbit Angora yarn.  Cost of this cowl, approx. $18.

 Yarn:  Aslan Trends, Invernal

http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/aslan-trends-invernal

I love this yarn - mainly because Rabbit Angora is scrumptious and a luxury fiber.

It barely double wraps but on a cold blustery day, this turtleneck like cowl will keep you warm!  This gift is for my 15 year old who is into the camouflage green and wears infinity cowls well.  If she doesn't like it, I get it!

Christmas Gift #3

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/5th-avenue-infinity-scarf

Super easy 4 round repeat

 Yarn:  Cotton Fleece by Brown Sheep Yarns

http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/brown-sheep-cotton-fleece

I used this yarn because this gift is for my 1st born who seems to have skin sensitivity to just about everything itchy!  This cotton fleece is soft, squishy and has no itch. 

Feeling accomplished!

Once again, I only had 1.5 skeins of this yarn.  I cast on the 240 sts as the pattern states and I just knit until I ran out of yarn.  It is approx. 6.5" wide where as the pattern calls for 10" wide.  I don't think the extra width matters.  What matters is that I de-stashed again!  Woohoo! 

Heading back into the yarn closet to find some more loner skeins......

Knitting fingers on fire for Christmas this year!

There has been some years where I knit up a storm for Christmas (like the time I decided that all 15 of my nieces and nephews needed new ski hats for Christmas -- and the thought came to me on December 1st!) while other years (like the past 3 teen years) where I didn't knit a single gift.  I miss the busy knitting fingers.  I miss the late night knit nights trying to finish in time.  I miss the constant reminder of who I am knitting for and how much they'll love it. 

So this year, in conjunction with my New Years Resolution to downsize my yarn stash, I decided to rummage through my personal LYS closet and see what I can't use up.  I made a mess doing it but ended up finding 7 different skeins of yarn for 4 projects.  4 hats, 2 infinity cowls and 1 pair of socks.

Next, I cruised the Ravelry pattern pages trying to marry partial skeins with patterns.  Huge success in minimal wasted time.

So this seasons series will be on my Christmas Creations using existing stash (which also means free gifts!)

 

Project 1:  Tally's Hunter Rain Boot Socks.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-woodcutters-daughter

Yarn:  1 skein of Cascade Eco-Wool

Needles:  US 10

Seriously excited about these and super quick and fun to create. 

Souvenirs to last a lifetime

I find myself feeling overwhelmed with sentimental souvenirs from my many travels over the past 30 years.  I can't seem to throw them away - it's as if I am throwing away the memories from that trip.  For example, I have a black mask that I purchased in Venice, Italy in 1982 that I can't seem to let go of.  I had a Swiss clock from Switzerland and a Norwegian hand knit sweater from Norway that I have also been lugging around since 1982.  None of it goes with my décor these days and the sweater is small, itchy and has a hole in it.  Those are my oldest souvenirs, I still have all of the mugs and trinkets from the other 30 trips since 1982. 

So this past month, I changed my souvenir shopping to a whole new approach.  I now only buy local foods (honey, coffee, chocolates....) to savor when I get home and YARN! 

 



Yarn will last a life time - good quality yarn, anyway.  This one, although very spendy ($40!) is from Wyoming.  I'm not sure what hand pulled Bison is but I'm in love with the Bison here and had to have some of  their fiber.  It's local, supporting 2 small businesses - the indie fiber company and the local yarn shop where I purchased it.