Friday, December 13, 2019, Issue 127: Just over 1 weeks until Christmas!

This week we had a lovely little Christmas party at our regular Tuesday Knit Afternoon and another at the regular Thursday Knit Night! Lots of good food, friendship and knitting!

Here is Nicole in her Weekender by Andrea Mowry wearing her just finished Classic Cuffed Hat by Purl Soho free pattern. She knit the gift hat using Berroco Ultra Alpaca held double with Garnstudio Drops Kid Silk. Angie above is wearing her Missoni Accomplished by Espace Tricot knit using Berroco Ultra Alpaca and Linda is wearing her Joanie by Martina Behm that she knit in 2015!

Carol in her Deschain by Leila Raven, Bev in her Pavement by Veera Välimäki, Rita in her Love Note by tincanknits, Linda in her Rosina pullover by FadenStille, me in my Magnolia Chunky Cardigan by Camilla Vad and Connie in her Ranunculus by Midori Hirose!

A FEW FESTIVE FREEBIES!

Little Cotton Rabbits (Julie Williams) Mini Christmas Stocking Ornaments are a free Ravelry Download. I have knit these before but given them all away! One day I will knit some more for my tree!

Connie knit these (and the one that she gifted me!!!) using Berroco Minutia ‘14 which is a free Ravelry Download. Berroco also has a free pattern each year that are all similar but different.

These beautiful ornaments are the Mitten Garland Advent Calendar by Kathy Lewinski is a paid pattern on Ravelry that is also free on her website.

There are so many wonderful festive patterns available on Ravelry!

WIP's and FO's

Since finishing my bigger projects and starting my gift knitting, I have to admit that they are not coming along quickly at all! In fact, since I am really not fast at knitting stranded sweaters they are coming along very slowly!

Progress on vest number 1 - I am using charts from tincanknits’ Dog Star and parts of Ann Kingstone’s Port and Starboard.

This is the vest just before skeeking it! In knitting, steeking is a shortcut used to knit in the round without interruption for openings or sleeves until the end. After completing the tube, a straight line is cut along the center of a column of stitches, in order to make room for an opening or place to attach another piece. In the case of this vest, the armhole ribbing and the neckline ribbing is picked up and added after steeking.

One of the vests I am knitting my grandsons is almost done! Ends to weave in and blocking! I am not really happy with my steeking though...I am not happy with the tension in the stitches my sewing machine made.

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

The current Knit-Alongs are the Knit Your Any Sweater KAL and the Knit Any Shawl KAL and the Knit Your Project: the everlasting knit-along to encourage and support you to knit is running from September 1 until December 31st which is coming up fast. Don't forget to post your finished projects to the Ravelry Sue2Knits Group so that you will be included in our quarterly draw!

There is a Butterfly / Papillon Knit-Along starting in January during our Thursday Knit Night! We will also have an informal Nightshift Knit-Along. Of course, like usual everyone is welcome post whatever they are working on and finished to be included.

Christina’s Christmas Nativity by Devin Ventre

Christina knit this Hot Mess Headband my Heather Walpole, a free pattern that is quick to knit. Add this cute little accessory to any outfit for a touch of color and cute.

Linda’s finished Jason’s Cashmere Hat by Melissa Thomson, knit using Shibui that she was gifted.

Linda also knit a bunch more The F Bombs by Jenifer Spock-Rank

Sandi knit some and her daughter Tamsin crocheted some of these 2528k - Tea-Light Snowman Ornaments by Emi Harrington. Sandi adapted the pattern after the first one to knit hers in the round.

Natalie knit this scarf to gift using the free pattern download for the Twisted Squish Scarf by Crayola Bolger.

Lise (Mattedcat)’s Flutter of Butterflies test knit for Taiga Hilliard is a winner! She knit it using Garnstudio Drops Baby Merino.

Kathy (chantrykathy)’s European Robin socks using Winwick Mum’s Candy Cane Socks pattern

Connie (knitnut246)’s Plain Vanilla Socks by Keri McKiernan in HBC colours!

Love all of Jeannie’s growing knit Little Cotton Rabbits menagerie!

Cathy knit her Morning Sun shawl by Suvi Simola using Hedgehog Sock in Déjà Vu

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS!

More Christmas Gift ideas! For us knitters, there is no shortage of ideas!

I sold out the same day that I received Koigu’s limited edition Sparkle Pencil Box...I snagged a few more! Each beautiful box is features 10 skeins of Koigu Sparkle, bringing an extra twinkle to your ordinary box. 

• Sparkle Demi
• 94% Merino Wool, 6%Lurex
• 10 x 82 yds / 80m / 25 g
• 3.25-4 mm (US 4-6)
• 24 stitches over 10 cm / 4 inches

For the makers in your life, check out all of these gift ideas and stocking stuffers!

Wrist Rulers, Original Shawl Cuffs, Eucalan Wrapture Balm, Gleeners and more!

Assorted tags, labels and tools for makers from Katrinkles and foldover leather labels from MannAndCoHeritage!

Sock blockers and mitt blockers...

Assorted bowls, yarn winders and swifts...

Lots of kits to choose from to give as a gift or for yourself! Of course, you can customize your kit by swapping out colours. Call or message me!

Gifts for crocheters!! Gauge Swatch Measure tools and crochet hook gauge from Katrinkles, Furls Crochet Hooks and yarn...

HOLIDAY HOURS

I am open all of next week and although we are usually closed on Mondays, I will be open on Monday, December 23 and Christmas Eve for those last minute shoppers!

Happy Friday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!