crafts

Christmas knitting revealed, part one

It’s a rarity for the child of a knitter to request even more knitwear, so when Charlotte mentioned before Christmas that she could use a new pair of mitts, I was all over it.

Hat, cowl and mittens of my own design (only using 2 x 2 rib so not as impressive as it sounds) in a long-stashed blend called Glen by Debbie Bliss. I think they’re okay.

a baby blanket for Emily

When Charlotte said she would like to make a handmade baby blanket for her friend Emily, but just didn’t have time to do it, I (Ms Tendonitis) said, no problem, pick the yarn you want and I’ll knit it.

The good news is that knitting doesn’t hurt nearly as much as working at the computer. The bad news is that my arms were so screwed up from working at the computer that I could barely bring myself to knit.

Still, I am tough/stupid (30% tough/70% stupid) enough to persist and I got it done in the nick of time with only this lousy photo to commemorate the finished product. It was pouring rain outside and my photo stylist, Foster, was busy eating lunch so I snapped this about five minutes before Charlotte came to pick it up on her way to the baby shower.

Now to start the Christmas knitting…

a bright red baby blanket

I’ve knit dozens of baby blankets over the years and photographed very few of them, mostly because I forget, but also because it’s hard. How to make a big square of fabric look more enticing than just a big square of fabric? Luckily, Foster photographed this one, which was a gift for our lovely friend Amanda who is due in August.

a poncho for me

This is why photos in magazines are created by a team of stylists, lighting experts and professional photographers with good equipment.

I made simple ponchos for the girls when they were little, but I’ve never made one for myself. I think they’re the kind of thing that only look decent if you’re tall and willowy, which I most decidedly am not, but I’ve been wanting something quick and easy to throw on when I’m at my desk and throw off again when I do something more active.

Note for future me if I want to make another: this took three skeins of Lion Brand Homespun. I used 5.5 mm needles for a fairly firm fabric that I hope will help resist drooping from gravity. You will know if this worked.

a sweater for Anna

Knit from a pattern I will not name because it had issues.

After having to make a million modifications, I have finally finished this cabled yoke sweater for Anna. It’s seriously overcast today (good for my head, not so good for photos) so the yarn isn’t showing itself to be the pretty green it is in real life, but this photo is better than nothing. I’ve given away so much over the years, either forgetting to get a picture first or naively thinking I’d get a picture of it being worn/used later, and now have nothing to show for it. I’m trying to do better.