This morning I finished a sock. It’s a pattern I’ve tweaked rather extensively.  It started as an Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen pattern.  I’ve made them before, but really didn’t care for the toe or the heel.  The original pattern called for a flat toe, with the ends woven with the Kitchener stitch.  And the heel is a saddle heel.  In looking for a toe that might be more comfortable, I came across a pattern in a needlework book from the 1940s.  It suggests a rounded toe can be made like a mitten. And you know what? I like it better! As I was casting on this... (Read More ...)

Wouldn’t it be nice to knit a Christmas stocking for each child in the family?  One that can be personalized for their favorite colors, names and more.  Hand knit Christmas stockings can easily become a Christmas tradition.  One you can’t buy in a store. They can be as simple or as complicated as you wish. The patterns can be plain, stripes or even complex patterns reminiscent of Fair Isle knitting. Before last year, I never tackled Christmas stockings.  Then a friend suggested I create some.  And before I knew it I had three different versions! What are three reasons you should... (Read More ...)

One of the most popular knitting books this Christmas is a book for knitting Christmas decorations. Here’s one of the best reviews I read… 55 Christmas Balls to Knit: Colourful Festive Ornaments * Tree Decorations * Centrepieces * Wreaths * Window Decorations by Arne & CarlosSearch Press 2011ISBN: 978-1-84448-781-3   This book was first published in Norway in 2010 and was a huge hit. Under the title Julekuler it sold 37 000 copies, and was on the Norwegian bestseller list for four months. To follow up this success, versions of the book are now (October 2011) available in Finland,... (Read More ...)

Have you been thinking about knitting socks and don’t know where to start? What about a Christmas stocking? Oh, yes it looks like a large project.  Basically a Christmas stocking is a sock knit on larger needles with thicker yarn.  And because of that it may be easier to knit than using fine needles and yarn.  Or “toothpicks” as my sister calls my Size 1 double pointed needles. Whether you’re just learning to knit socks or want a simpler project because your time to knit is unpredictable like in caregiving, a Christmas stocking may make a good option.  It’s still... (Read More ...)

Image by beccaplusmolly via Flickr When I was a kid, often our Christmas stockings had individually wrapped gifts. Each gift might be small, but it was exciting to open them!  And it was only later we realized Santa used the wrapping paper my mother carefully saved from presents the year before. Santa was thrifty! And those Christmas stocking stuffers were often something we could enjoy for more than just a moment or two. I remember practical gifts, such as socks and Chapsticks.  I don’t ever recall feeling deprived of toys, although many of today’s children might feel that way. You... (Read More ...)