Nest Boxes for Boxing Day

Posted on December 26, 2020December 26, 2020 Posted in holidays, inspiration4 Comments

In the last couple of years, I’ve started feeding the birds. I’ve really enjoyed watching them at the feeders. At our new home, we have wrens that nest around the house. While I have a felt birdhouse shaped like a caravan that I love, I’m wondering if I should try knitting (and maybe felting) some of these nesting boxes? They would be so colorful and fun to look at year round. This is a free pattern by Fleur Duivis. (Knotions website link)

Are you curious about Boxing Day? Me too. Wikipedia isn’t clear, either. The origin is connected to the poor and servants collecting alms for the Feast of Saint Stephen. (Wikipedia link) Another custom linked to Boxing Day is Mumming, a tradition I’ve always thought should make a comeback. Hipster mummers, please.

My Boxing Day tradition is having a clear out, which I’ve done. Now it’s time to play with yarn!

Go Big or Go Gnome

Posted on December 25, 2020December 25, 2020 Posted in holidays, inspiration, yarnTagged hand dyed yarn, yarn advent9 Comments

Merry Christmas! If you are really into gnomes, you can knit a hat, mittens, and pullover with these super adorable yard fellows, as I am now calling them. This is a free pattern by Sarah Schira. (Knitty website link) I would probably not knit them in red and blue, as they are looking too All-American for me. I think I would go red and green because, hey, you might as well go big or go gnome for Christmas. What color would you knit your gnomes?

Meep was a big hit with JoJo. Now we are waiting for the child to awaken so we can open presents. I made cranberry orange waffles for breakfast. Later we can FaceTime with the other kids.

The entire yarn advent, lined up in my order.

I have to admit I feel a little overwhelmed by my choice of advent pattern and how to organize the colors. I almost wish I had just knit them in the order I opened them so I didn’t have to think about it. Any suggestions?

I hope you have a wonderful holiday today!

Meep the Christmas Mouse

Posted on December 24, 2020December 24, 2020 Posted in finished objects, holidays, knittingTagged knitting, softies, toys9 Comments

This was an easy knit, although next time I think I’ll try to knit it in the round. I simplified the fair isle chart (because I didn’t have six colors of DK weight yarn with different values) and stuffed her with wool and catnip. Now JoJo has something in her stocking. Pattern is Fair Isle Mice by Janet McMahon (Ravelry link)

Have you knit any toys or softies? Do you have any patterns to recommend?

I hope you’re having a good holiday so far!

Christmas Eve Stocking Cap

Posted on December 24, 2020December 24, 2020 Posted in holidays, inspiration, yarnTagged yarn advent2 Comments

“And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap” — from A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore

Whenever I see a stocking cap, I think of this poem, and Ebenezer being visited in his nightgown and cap, and elves, tomten, and nisse too, of course. This worsted weight stocking cap is a free pattern. Jolly Stocking Cap by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas (Website link)

Skeindeer Knits has her own Nisselue stocking cap pattern in fingering weight that is also free. (Ravelry link) I really like the idea of knitting a stocking cap in self striping sock yarn.

This led me to the Wikipedia entry on Nisse, which is a fun read. I’m going to start calling our gnome Pete our “tunkall” or “yard fellow.”

Happy Christmas Eve!

Noël d’antan

Posted on December 23, 2020December 23, 2020 Posted in holidays, inspiration, yarnTagged yarn, yarnadvent4 Comments

Because I took French in middle school and high school, around the holidays I sometimes randomly break into chanson française. My favorite is “Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabella”. I regret I can no longer speak French, but at least I can sing a song fluently… even though I may not know the meaning of the words anymore. Aren’t these Noel socks charming? I think holly is my favorite Christmas motif. Noël d’antan pattern by Elyse D’Amours Designs (Ravelry link)

During the holiday season, I listen to a lot of Kitka’s Wintersongs. This year in December they are releasing a YouTube video each day. Although I love the music the most, yesterday’s video was a sweet little story. Here’s a video with two of my favorites, which you may recognize.

If you like Celtic music, tonight at 6PM EST, Celtic Colours will have a live Christmas performance on their YouTube and Facebook channels. Bob and I are going to tune in.

Needled

Posted on December 22, 2020 Posted in holidays, inspiration, yarnTagged moondrakeco, yarn, yarnadvent4 Comments

Today’s HoliDaily pattern share is Needled by Hunter Hammersen (Ravelry link) These would be fun and festive to knit up with scraps, and I particularly love the addition of the beads. I’m still trying to figure out what kinds of holiday decorations I would like to knit, but I’m getting some ideas!

I love the golds with these pinks. I think I’d make an entire sweater out of this! It’s such an unlikely combination but it really works.

Happy Winter Solstice | Sock It To Me Monday

Posted on December 21, 2020December 21, 2020 Posted in holidays, inspiration, knitting, sewing, yarnTagged winter solstice, yarnadvent9 Comments

I made a new wintry project bag to celebrate the winter solstice.

It’s quilting cotton lined with linen.

I didn’t have much ribbon to choose from, and although I would have liked something gold or silver, this ribbon has sheep. If you look closely at this pic you will see a sewing error. I didn’t notice it until I finished sewing the lining in. I decided to leave it since it’s just for me. I still love it, and of course I will know to check that seam next time when I assemble the pieces.

Project Bag sewing pattern is Drawstring Bag (Etsy link)

But what’s in the project bag, you may ask? And I’m glad you did.

It’s my Aurora Borealis Cowl! (Ravelry link)

Today’s Winter Solstice HoliDaily share is Norrland by Sarah Huntington Birch. (Ravelry link) If you could turn the Winter Solstice into a hat, I think this is it. I’ve shared this pattern before as I love to look at it. But I think if I were going to knit something this extraordinary, I would hang it on my wall. In fact, I might do that.

I’m almost to the toe of my first Christmas sock! I think Santa approves.

Moondrake Yarn Advent Day 21. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to work our twinkly twilightly icicle lights into a photo since December 1! I finally did it it. Happy Winter Solstice!

Winterberry Socks

Posted on December 20, 2020December 21, 2020 Posted in holidays, inspiration, yarn13 Comments

Yesterday, Bob and I went for a walk on a new trail and we saw lots of cheery red berries against the snow. I tried to get a good photo, but it was challenging.

Winterberry Socks pattern by Handmades by Olivia (Etsy link)

We also visited the cutest coffee shop in the world in the cute little village of Galena, Ohio. I always wanted to stop here on the route I take Freya to school, and now I have.

Today is our Blogville Knitters Virtual Knit at 1PM Eastern. If you are new and would like to join us by Skype, please DM your Skype ID to me on Instagram or Ravelry.

Deer With Little Antlers Hat

Posted on December 19, 2020December 19, 2020 Posted in holidays, inspiration, yarnTagged yarnadvent6 Comments

“are you tired of trying to grow antlers with no luck?
then this little hat is for you!
Its perfect to wear when
hanging out with your
animal friends in the woods.
you will blend in like a charm!”

You might also wear this hat with a red nose on Christmas Eve while you’re waiting for Santa. Maybe he will bring you along for the ride! Deer With Little Antlers Hat (Ravelry link)

Christmas is less than a week away now. Are you ready? All our packages have been wrapped or mailed. We are making (and eating) lots of cookies. Cards are mailed. Decorations are up. We are really missing our kids but we’ll have the youngest here. I think we’re ready!

Jingle All the Way

Posted on December 18, 2020December 18, 2020 Posted in finished objects, hats, holidays, inspiration, knitting, yarn18 Comments

Happy December 18: Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf Day! If you’ve never watched the film Elf, that means you answer the phone like this, “Buddy the Elf, What’s your favorite color?” Elf is a big favorite in our family. These socks are perfect Elf watching socks. Jingle All the Way pattern (Ravelry link)

I also have a Friday FO! I finished my Rikke Hat in Ramen Needles Christmas Village colorway.

Pattern is Rikke Hat (Ravelry link) I will probably make more of these. I’m also wearing my red Carbeth sweater. And it’s snowing! Festive!

headknits

Category: holidays