We all do it. Sometime in the summer we declare: ”I am going to make all my Christmas gifts this year!”
I think we all know how this sad story usually turns out. However, Brandy and I did pull it together in the very end, and I am proud to present to you…
The Festival of Handmade and Somewhat Appreciated Gifts!
I can tell you that the first item, a fantastic crocheted Hello Kitty scarf for my sister, wins, hands down. Theresa, my sister, loves Hello Kitty. She is also a FANATICAL University of Washington sports fan (hence the purple and gold). I really thought she was going to cry when she opened this up. Made by Brandy, with her mad crochet skillz, of course. Hello Kitty diagram can be found here.
(She’s sporting some toasty fingerless gloves I made as well…)
Continuing on the University of Washington theme, I made my sis a striped phone cozy, and a warm and a toasty basket weave border hat. I wrote the pattern down somewhere for the hat, if you are interested let me know. I held two strands together for both the cuff and the body of the hat.
I slaved over this slouchy beanie concoction from Caron for Brandy. I used Lion Brand Amazing yarn in Pink Sands. This was a nail biter, down to the wire. But it turned out really cute and she loves it! (at least she says she does!)
Brandy came up with a great idea for two of her male friends who are from Viking heritage. She found this awesome pattern and knocked out these two crocheted Viking Hats.
Brandy made me the most beautiful ripple patterned crochet cowl! I have worn it pretty much every day. I have asked her to make me another one immediately! :) I forgot to take a photo of it – my bad!
We also made a slew of other items – see the photo montage below – crocheted cowls, knit beanies, bow headbands, and more.
Now that the holidays are over, it’s back to knitting and crocheting for ourselves – Brandy is working on a bobble bunny hat. She is now talking about bobbles non-stop. I finally finished my Twinkle Printmaker’s Pullover, which I had mentioned awhile back. It looks great on my dress form, but I haven’t gotten around to wearing it yet. And I just started designing a dress/tunic inspired by the shape of this Pinterest find. I am doing a top down, circular construction.
So for all you gift knitters and crocheters, our hats (no pun intented) are off to you! Did you finish in time? What is your next craft adventure?
Until next time!
M and B
