Sunday, December 28, 2008

Branching Out

I got an email from amazon today, the subject line of which shouted at me to START A NEW HOBBY IN 2009. Well, maybe, I thought. So I click on it and find out that yes, there are hobbies I haven't tried. And maybe there are some you haven't tried either. So, like it or not, I'll share my top three favorite picks from the email.

First, there's this one:



Surely in a Big Ass Book of Crafts there must be something I haven't done. Yeah, I'm sure there is. Maybe I'll order this.

Then, there's this choice:



Ok, so this is a legitmate new slant on a time-tested hobby for some. Legos. They're safe, reliable, and timeless. I'll keep this on my list. Perhaps for the lego-lover in my life. A Christmas 2009 gift idea? It could work.


And, finally, just in case you've done it all (in the craft world, that is), this bud's for you:




If you decide on the latter, don't forget to stop by the mercantile to get your feed. Chickens need to eat, too.

For me, I'm stickin' to my knittin'.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Christmas Unwrapped!

Now that all has been wrapped, mailed and unwrapped I can post the projects I did for Christmas this year (off to find where I downloaded the pictures to...)

Aw..success, and on my first try! I admit, tho, to spending an hour or so one day last week refiling and organizing all of my knitting files on the computer. But, an endeavor which was well worth it, because I found the pics straight-away!



First, a 'manly' scarf for my husband's son. The pattern is Campus Scarf found in Scarf Style, by Interweave Press. This book has 31 patterns for scarves, both knit and crochet. It's a good one! I knit this scarf with a cashmere blend so it's very soft and non-scratchy for the neck. All knits and purls, a bit boring to work on but a good project to sit in front of the tube with.


Scarf number 2 (and 3)


This pattern, called Jute Rope, (available as a free download on Ravelry was made for my daughter, Jen. I used KnitPicks bulky weight and did most of this in the car on our trip to Las Vegas. Actually, I even did quite a bit of it in our hotel room, after I had decided that I might want to find something to do other than gamble, thereby assuring we would have enough money to buy gas on the way home! (Luckily, my hubby won back what I lost, so all was good).

But back to the scarf....I loved the weight and texture of this scarf, and enjoyed making it so much I decided to make another one for my step-daughter. So I did. It's gray.











And one last scarf ('tis the season to be warm!) made for my step-daughter-in-law (whew!, that's a lot of words!)



This is called the Asherton Reversible Scarf (for obvious reasons) and is also available as a free download on Ravelry. Speaking of which, you must be a member of Ravelry to access the site's goodies. Do it! It's great!

More stuff later. It's raining, and I must get out the book I'm almost finished with. Gray skies and rain call for reading.