Category: holidays

Jingle Bell YOP

Posted on Posted in holidays, knitting, Year of ProjectsTagged , 21 Comments

I’ve made a good start on my Christmas Ranunculus sweater. I thought I was going to have to go with the modifications for a larger size, but since I’m knitting it in Aran weight, I think it will be okay using the regular pattern. I haven’t even finished the yoke yet, and it’s pretty roomy.

I’ve started my holiday decorating.

Thanksgiving Day was nice but quiet. The kids came for a visit and a meal on Saturday, which was swell.

I haven’t sewed or spun. It was a rough week.

Yes, I intend to work YOP into the titles of as many holiday songs as I can.

This has been a Year of Projects update. You can find out more about the group here (Rav link) or here: Backstage Kath’s YOP bloggers list. You can read my updated list of projects here.

The Gift to Myself that I Keep on Giving

Posted on Posted in holidays, knittingTagged 16 Comments

This year, I purchased an advent chest. Today, I spent a couple of hours winding the small cakes of yarn that I had left over from my yarn advent last year. I put 13 mini-skeins of yarn in the odd drawers. The even drawers have a chocolate. I also have one seasonal stitch marker in the first drawer, and I have a pin on the way for another drawer. Yes, some of the drawers have more than one thing in them.

My plan is to knit a mitten ornament with each mini-skein in December, and then on the 24th make the icord to hang them on for a garland. 12 mittens! 12 days of Yuletide!

I also did purchase a yarn advent this year from Lizzie Bird Yarns. It’s a little smaller than the one I purchased last year, which is a good thing.

Do you have any special holiday knits in the works? I am knitting a few gifts, but I’ll blog about those another time.

Happy Halloween!

Posted on Posted in finished objects, holidays, knitting, sewing, Works in Progress (WIPs), Year of ProjectsTagged , , , 21 Comments

Happy Halloween! It’s my favorite holiday, as you may have guessed. I’m wearing my Sleepy Hollow dress and Cemetery Drive cowl today.

I have a leather jacket that an artist I know painted, and I love wearing it. But I don’t always love having the back of my jacket painted as it attracts a lot of attention. So I purchased a used, plain leather jacket on Poshmark and I’m very happy with it. I wouldn’t buy a new one, but a used one feels less harmful.

I haven’t been blogging much lately. I’m knitting and sewing here and there. I had another “this is my hobby not my job” epiphany. Work has been busy with events for Fair Trade Month. And now we’re moving into the holidays. It feels very sudden!

I needed a knitting pick me up, so I stash-dove and decided to knit an Aurealis sweater. I’m just now starting the short row shaping on the neck, so not much to see yet. I’ve updated my Year of Projects list.

I sewed some monster PJ pants for Bob.

This Halloween Livie shawl won’t be done today, so I may pack it away for next fall.

What about you? Any Halloween makes this year? Are you ready for the holiday season to begin?

Saturday Sewing: Piedra Dress

Posted on Posted in finished objects, holidays, sewingTagged , , 25 Comments

I sewed a dress today! This is Seamwork’s Piedra Dress in There Will Be Cute’s Headless Horseman fabric from Spoonflower. I used the 100% cotton jersey for myself as I prefer the way all natural fibers breathe.

Close up selfie so you can see how cute the fabric is. It was a quick, successful sew. Which is good because I needed a win today.

Next up I will sew a couple of these for Freya in Halloween fabrics she picked out. She wears the same size as me, which is handy.

Have you had any crafting wins lately?

TLC Tuesday

Posted on Posted in holidays, knitting, life, sewing, sweaters, Works in Progress (WIPs)Tagged , , , 15 Comments

Last week was busy at work. We took a trip to Cleveland to visit kids on Friday and Saturday. And then, I had a colonoscopy yesterday. So, I took today off as well to recover from the anesthesia. I don’t want to be making important work decisions with anesthesia brain.

This is my second DIY fall advent bag. I am definitely making these, but I haven’t started on the first project yet! I guess I can always rebag what I don’t get to for next year.

This is the first pair of Halloween PJ pants I’ve sewn plus a new seasonal shirt. I’m going to stay in PJs today. I’ve started calling JoJo “JoJo Binx.”

I worked on my Milkshake Cardigan yesterday as it’s pretty straight forward. Once I finish the second sleeve, just the button band to go! I look forward to wearing this cardigan when the weather turns chilly.

Last night we started watching Chapelwaite. It is so good, and is getting me in the mood for the spooky season! But before I immerse myself in autumn leaves and pumpkins please, I need to can some tomatoes.

DIY Fall Advent: #1

Posted on Posted in holidays, inspiration, socks, yarnTagged , , , , 17 Comments

Last year I realized I got so excited about fall and Halloween yarns and knitting patterns, I decided to make my own fall advent with yarns from my stash. The goal was to keep me from going overboard buying yarn this fall. I paired the skeins with patterns (some I had, some I purchased, most were free) and stitch markers from my collection. Then I sewed fabric bags and tagged them with the date I should open them.

This is the contents of the first bag. I love it! I don’t have any socks on the needles, so I may cast these on. This colorway is Fall Sangria from Cornbread and Honey. I have two weeks until the next advent bag!

Happy New Year!

Posted on Posted in holidays, inspiration, life, lofty thoughts11 Comments

My word for 2021 is content, both adjective and noun.

Noun: state of mind which results from satisfaction with present circumstances

Adjective: having the desire limited to present enjoyments

It’s even a verb: to rest or be satisfied; to give satisfaction to

Content is related intent, from the root word tenere, to hold or stretch. Intent is focusing on stretching outward, while content is focusing on holding. So my intention for 2021 is to focus on what I have and be content. I feel I don’t do this enough, and it prevents me from really enjoying my life as it is. I want to slow down a little, settle in, and focus on the content of my life and find the joy there. I’m in a good place right now, and I am grateful for that.

Today we’re eating black eyed peas and greens, and I hope to Skype with kids. I will call my Mom and sister. And I will knit! I hope you have a wonderful day, and wish you a happy and healthy new year!

New Year’s Eve Slippers

Posted on Posted in art, design, finished objects, holidays, inspiration, knitting, sewing8 Comments
📸 photophreak
📸 elven

I love the French Press Felted Slippers pattern by Melynda Bernardo (Ravelry link). I have always fantasized about dressing up for a New Year’s Eve party, but I don’t think I ever have. I feel like 2020 is the year for dressing up at home with some comfy but fancy slippers. I might make these in a sparkly yarn and put a rhinestone button on them.

This is my last December HoliDaily. I really enjoyed posting a festive pattern everyday in December. I hope you enjoyed it, too, and that it wasn’t spammy. Just a reminder that I don’t get compensated in any way for anything I share. I do it for my own enjoyment.

I enjoyed my yarn advent photo taking so much, I had a calendar made. It’s hanging in my studio. I will use it to plan my projects in 2021.

I’ve noticed other bloggers wrapping up the year with a list of completed projects. I think that sounds like the perfect New Year’s Eve post for 2020.

“Haze Over Maize: Granville 2020“

Fiber Art

Two pieces completed. I’m not going to post pics of new pieces since they are for a gallery show in September 2021.

Completed Knitting

I’m proud of all the socks I’ve knit this year!
  1. Paris (Twilight Tunis) Toujours Shawl (also dyed the yarn in a gradient for this)
  2. Deschain Tee
  3. Hermione’s Everyday Socks
  4. Pride Socks
  5. Purple emPower Bandaner
  6. Shetland Tweed Throw
  7. Arachne Sweater
  8. Four Square Cowl
  9. Mistletoe Kisses Socks. I’m determined to finish these today even though JoJo chewed my needle and I had to cut the cable to get the knitting off, it was so mangled, and switched to double points.
  10. Pumpkin Spice Latte socks
  11. Broom Riding Cowl
  12. Halloween Socks
  13. Trans Pride Socks
  14. Accidental Autumn Barley Light Hat
  15. Rikke Hat
  16. Meep the Christmas Mouse

Looking back, I wish I would have completed more sweaters. I guess two isn’t bad!

Knitting Design

  1. Another Blue Beanie
  2. Hat samples for Kenya
  3. Saffron hat and cowl with OG pompom

Completed Sewing

Seamwork Ace top
  1. Ace top, two versions (one shown above)
  2. Billie jumpsuit
  3. Enchanted Kimono Robe
  4. Poudre linen curtains. Only one to go!
  5. Coffee filters
  6. Knitting Sheep flannel PJ pants
  7. Halloween Rachel blouse
  8. Winter Solstice project bag

In 2021, I’d like to sew more garments: another Rachel blouse, some pants, and a wool coat. And more PJ pants!

I hope you have something fun planned for New Year’s Eve. We’re still trying to figure out what to eat for dinner tonight, but at least we’ll have pie, both mince and chocolate! Happy New Year!