Handmade Gifts: The Captain's Football Scarf!

As I mentioned in my 3 Cowls post, everyone's gifts last year were late.  After taking a break from the Captain's gift to knit Gabby the Garden Monster, I finally finished his scarf!

I had SO much fun doing this.  It was a bit intimidating, being my first attempt at following a chart pattern, and it took 3 tries before I finally figured out which way to hold the yarn while slipping stitches (even though it says how in the directions!), but once I got the hang of it, it went very smoothly.

In the beginning.

It did take a while though, because it takes 9 repeats of the chart.  I hope to incorporate some footballs into some other projects using Verdigris Knits's free pattern. 

All wrapped up and cozy.

Finished in time to watch the Seahawks in the playoffs!

I think this is my favorite knitting project so far.  It's also inspired me to try my hand at making a charted pattern, but I won't have time for that until I finish the rest of the late Christmas presents!

When Tragedy Strikes, Knit a Monster

Like many who turn to blogging for comfort, the day of the Sandy Hook shooting I wrote this post.  Then, in my grief and search for comfort (because what parent didn't need comfort after imagining those horrors) some friends helped me find Knitters for Newtown and  600 Monsters Strong.

The Captain asked me to put his Christmas present on hold so that I could make a Monster for a child affected by gun violence and I'm SO HAPPY to share her with you today.

This is Gabby the Garden Monster.

She's from Rebecca Danger's Big Book of Knitted Monsters.  My initial hope, like all the knitters in the 600 Monsters group, was that she would go to a child or family in Newtown, but the cause has gained so much momentum that it's expanded to include ANY child affected by gun violence. 

It feels like such a small gesture, compared to the terror these little ones go through, but I can't just do nothing.

I'm waiting on my 2 skeins of yarn from the Knitters for Newtown group, which hit their goal of raising $10,000 for families in Newtown.

I'm proud to be part of this movement.  When I have idle needles I plan on making more, to keep the flow of love and hugs going for children who need it.  I invite you to join me, whether you knit, crochet, sew, or have $5 you can donate towards causes like this.

Be the change you want to see in the world my friends.  You could very well change a child's life for the better.

3 Cowls

This holiday season the Captain and I discussed doing homemade gifts for everyone.  Which roughly translated to me making gifts for everyone.  Which translated into, everyone's presents are going to be late, late, LATE, including Captain's.  

There were 3 gifts I DID finish on time though!

 

Mom's a Ravenclaw, but her heart belongs to Gryffindor.

Mom wanted a cowl that wasn't tight against her neck, but I know how cold she can get, so I made hers long enough to double up.  It's a simple pattern I came up with on the fly, done in the round, knit 6 rows in the main color, purl 4 rows in the contrast color, repeat until your desired width, ending and binding off with the main color.

Dad works outside a LOT.  Every day he has a project or two going on, so he wanted something snug.

He's a hunter, so I went with a color that would match his camo.

 

This was just a basic knit 2 purl 2 in the round pattern.  Super stretchy, squishy soft, and warm.

My mom's sister, who the kids call Gabby, is pretty trendy and loves the color purple almost as much as I do, so when I saw a skein of scrumptious purple Chenille yarn at the store, I had to get it.  AND, it included this free pattern!

She still hasn't sent me her picture, so she doesn't get to be immortalized on my blog for MILLIONS to see.  Hah.

I almost kept it.  But that would have been rude.

I still have a giant bag of yarn waiting to be made into lovelies for family and friends, so I'm off to knit!!

What great things did you make as gifts?