New Year’s Eve Slippers

Posted on December 31, 2020December 31, 2020 Posted in art, design, finished objects, holidays, inspiration, knitting, sewing8 Comments

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.

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!

Paris (Twilight Tunis) Toujours Shawl (also dyed the yarn in a gradient for this)
Deschain Tee
Hermione’s Everyday Socks
Pride Socks
Purple emPower Bandaner
Shetland Tweed Throw
Arachne Sweater
Four Square Cowl
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.
Pumpkin Spice Latte socks
Broom Riding Cowl
Halloween Socks
Trans Pride Socks
Accidental Autumn Barley Light Hat
Rikke Hat
Meep the Christmas Mouse

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

Knitting Design

Completed Sewing

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!

New Year’s Word

Posted on December 30, 2020December 30, 2020 Posted in holidays, inspiration4 Comments

Many people choose a word for their New Year: something they want to focus on and manifest in their lives. I thought it might be a good idea to knit this word on a coffee sleeve so you don’t forget it, although you will have to chart your word yourself. Word Nerd Drink Sleeve free pattern by Ladybits Knits (Book Riot website link )

What about you? Do you choose a word for the New Year? Do you know what your word will be in 2021? Are you willing to share it in the comments? I’m still working on my word for 2021 but I will share it on January 1.

Only two more days of 2020. I’m trying not to expect too much from 2021 so I won’t be disappointed.

Something weird happened to two of my older posts. I found them in draft mode and I had to republish them.

Advent Scarf for 2021

Posted on December 29, 2020December 29, 2020 Posted in holidays, inspiration10 Comments

Looking ahead to Advent 2021, I would love to knit this gansey stitch advent scarf by Tricia Weatherston (Ravelry link). It calls for worsted weight yarn. What’s funny is there was a day when solid color worsted was most of my stash. Now it’s mostly hand dyed sock yarn. But I do have some gray DK that would probably work out for this pattern.

I’m curious now. What’s your yarn stash look like? Lots of hand dyed sock yarn, like mine?

A Winter Wedding Coat

Posted on December 28, 2020 Posted in art, holidays, inspirationLeave a comment

Look at this beautiful garment. It reminds me of the Northern Lights. I would probably never knit it. It is a combination of double knitting and fair isle knitting. It’s complicated. But I would definitely wear it. It’s gorgeous. They have kits for sale. I will think about it. A Winter Wedding Coat by Meret Buetzberger (Ravelry link)

Dyeing wool blue today. My next felt piece is about the blue moon we experienced in October.

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!

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, yarnadvent10 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!

headknits

Category: inspiration