Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Just keep knitting, just keep knitting... what do we do we knit


Just trying to keep up with Christmas commitments, ah! 1.5 legwarms to go plus 75% of a color-work mitten and possibly a reading pillow. But I really want to make caramels this weekend so we'll see what happens.

Above is a reading pillow that my friend is giving in a Christmas exchange (we exchanged: my sewing for her yarn). And to the left are a pair of custom mitts I made for my Etsy.

Hope all your creative gifts are coming together!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Boot Liners

I generally don't talk much about shopping but these I had to share.....

Target has some very cool galoshes for women and I was lucky enough to find a returned pair at the Target in Fort Wayne, Indiana two years ago for $8!! Needless to say I snatched them right up.

When we lived in the valley, being the desert that it is, I didn't wear them very often but I did where them when I could. Now that we are farther north and into a little more precipitation I have been wearing them much more.

I don't own winter boots. I own my galoshes and hiking boots. And although there are some super cute winter boots out there, I am cheap. My hiking boots work for snow shoeing, which is my only extended time in the snow (other than skiing which has its own boots). Because of that I just wear my galoshes to and from the bus etc. because they keep the snow out though they aren't that warm. Until now!

Browsing Target I came across these (photo above) boot liners for galoshes! How perfect. You are probably saying, "But Emmy, you are a knitter and you know people who are really good at felting, why not just make some?" Point taken, and I had considered it last fall, but I was always afraid they would be too thick and make my boots not fit - plus I didn't find the project to be very motivating when I could be making sweaters.

So for now I have picked up an ivory pair of these fleece boot liners for $10 and am perfectly happy.... maybe in a few years I'll tackle making some awesome knitted ones, but for now my toes are warm on the way to the gym.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Slippers, with much love


We are just gonna pretend that I have been away for awhile making all kinds of secret Christmas things. :)

I have a new knit that I am in love with, these slippers. I wear them ALL the time. They are so warm and so gosh-darn-cute! The pattern is called French Press Felted Slippers and it has been all over Ravelry! They are called "French Press" because that is the name of Melynda Bernardi's Etsy shop.

They slippers are super quick to knit up on size 15 needles and even the felting went pretty quick, but the seaming slowed me down a little. I know, I know, it is hardly ANY seaming, but even so. And I should clarify, that even though I say "slowed me down" they were still done in two days, so yeah, not that daunting.

So if you are looking to treat yourself or for some awesome Christmas gifts - this is your pattern!