Winifred

With just a few days left before the big day, have you finished all of your holiday shopping and Christmas knitting? My last knitted gift was shipped off just a couple of days ago to my mother. This holiday season, I knit 4 Christmas gifts, 2 baby gifts, 1 stocking and 2 new patterns. All in all, not too bad.

I can remember my first Christmas, after I had taken up knitting, I felt the need to knit everyone gifts. That first year, I made 7 scarves. My father caught me finishing his late on Christmas Eve... and this was before I knew about blocking. Luckily, this year there will be no true last-minute knitted gifts. Sigh (of relief)...

However, if you find yourself in need of a true quick knit... as in one that can be finished in the time it takes to watch 2 Christmas movies... well, then... here you go...

Meet Winifred.

The Winifred Cowl is the perfect marriage of structure and squish. This large cowl features a wide rib stitch pattern knit in the ever-squishy Puffin yarn.

It is knit in the round from the bottom up with a larger base and subtle gradual decreases, working up to a smaller top collar. The top half of the cowl is worked flat and features 3 buttons, which provide greater ease in putting on the cowl and greater flexibility in how the cowl can be worn.

I really don't mind having my picture taken, I'm not one to hide from the camera at the party, but I do feel a bit silly being the model. However, the day my friend, Sara, took the pictures it was freezing cold and very windy. We did the shoot in about 10 minutes so I didn't have time to feel silly.

I can honest and truly attest to the effectiveness of this cowl. It really is incredibly warm and cozy. After this speed session we quickly headed over to Starbucks and warmed up with holiday lattes for about 2 hours.

So how will you wear your Winifred Cowl? 

Super Fast Knitted Gift Ideas

As promised, here is a list of super fast patterns that knit up really quickly. And when I say super fast... I mean you can make it in a few hours (after you've had your cup of strong coffee).  Ready, set, go!

For children:

Pugsy by Andrea Sanchez

Circlet by Dani Sunshine

Stars or Stripes Mittens by Odessa Reichel

Little Bobble Scarf by Meg Roke

For her:

Sporting Beret by Meg Roke

Cullin Cowl by Pam Allen

Women's Hand/Wrist Warmers by Joelle Hoverson

 

Jeannie by Meg Roke (remember, it comes in an adult size too!)

For him:

Chunkeanie by Woolly Wormhead

Turn A Square by Jared Flood

Nicholas by Jane Richmond

Fingerless Mitts by Bruce Weinstein

For anyone:

Argyle Ornaments by Anne Berk

Yarn Ball Bookmarkers

Cable Vision Wreath by Hilary Hunt

Braided Mug Cozy by Sarah Alderson

Want some more ideas? Check out Joelle Hoverson's smash hit books: Last-Minute Knitted Gifts and More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. Here is a list of books with even more great quick-knit gift ideas:

Gifted
Closely Knit
Holiday Knits
Weekend Knitting
Handknit Holidays
60 Quick Knits

Happy knitting!

Holiday Shopping for Knitters

In May, I wrote a post about gift ideas for knitters (you can read more about it here). However, since Christmas is quickly approaching (and I apologize for not getting this up before Chanukah) , I thought I'd share a few more ideas, just in case you are still searching for that perfect gift.

Aranware Pitcher

Yarnball Chocolates

Sweater Weather Pot

Cable Print Flannel Bedding

Knitted Glass Art

High Fiber Tote Bag

Knitting Macbook Decal

Phil Basin Soakworthy Tub

Gleener Fuzz Remover

The Yarn Whisperer by Clara Parkes

Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting by Ann Hood

Big Foot Knits by Andi Smith

Green Gable Knits by Joanna Johnson

The Rhinebeck Sweater by Ysolda Teague (and more)

Tomorrow I'll post about some great super-fast-last-minute-knitted-gifts.

In the mean time, happy shopping!!!

Siblings Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to "Afh163" who was selected to win a free copy of my latest pattern, Siblings. I'll be contacting you on Raverly today to let you know and to send you the pattern.

Thank you to all who left comments. I really enjoyed reading your responses. My brothers and I have had our fair share of disagreements throughout our childhood (including a rather nasty one that involved a bagel, a cup and a trip to the hospital), so I sympathize with you all.

Remember to keep checking back with my blog. I'll be taking a week's break for the holiday, but I promise I'll be back with more posts and giveaways before the next holiday.

Have a very happy Thanksgiving and be sure to keep knitting!

Siblings

I am the youngest of three kids: the baby girl with two big brothers. I don't remember my brothers fighting over much, but I definitely remember fighting with my brothers over everything when we were little.... or maybe not so little.

Now I am a mother and have two little ones of my own. Tommy wants everything and anything his big sister, Emma, has. Last month, it was her collection of dollar store beaded necklaces. Last week, he wanted to color with the crayons she was using. Yesterday, he wanted her bagel. And so it continues...

Tommy could not resist the pumpkins...

...he threw one at the photographer just before she took this picture!

He wants what she has, and she wants what he has.

The Siblings hat was designed with two such people in mind. This gender neutral hat is perfect for two people who struggle with sharing, whether they are little kids or just kids at heart.

Maybe the pair you have in mind for this hat are best friends, a couple, or even like-minded co-workers?

The pattern calls for one skein of Spud and Chloe's Fine yarn and includes instructions for two hats: one with cables and one without.

It comes in a wide range of sizes too: infant through adult! More specifically: 0-6 months (6-12 months, toddler, child/women’s small, women’s medium/large, men.

So which hat will you fight over?

The Siblings hat pattern can be purchased on Etsy and Ravelry.  How would you like a free copy of the Siblings hat pattern? Leave a comment below telling me what you fought over most with your sibling/best friend. You only have the weekend to post a comment. Next Tuseday, November 26, I will select a winner using the online random number generator. Be sure to let me know your Raverly name or email address so that I contact you!

Giveaway #4: Winner!

Congratulations to Andrea for being selected as the winner of the Jeannie cowl Giveway! I will contact you today to send you your new copy of the Jeannie cowl pattern.


Keep checking in with my blog often, you never know when I might have another giveaway. In fact, I do have a few things up my sleeve for the next week... so stay tuned... and keep knitting!

Giveaway #3: Winner!

Congratulations to K8erpillar for being selected as the winner of the Rosie cowl Giveway! I will contact you today to send you your new copy of the Rosie cowl pattern.

Today is the last day for the Jeannie cowl giveaway. So please don't forget to add your comments at the bottom of that post for another chance to win a new pattern!!!

Giveaway #2: Winner!

Congratulations to Debbie (aka Debbieduck on Ravelry) for being selected as the winner of the Janie cowl Giveway! I will contact you today to send you your new copy of the Janie cowl pattern.

Today is the last day for the Rosie cowl giveaway and tomorrow is the last day for the Jeannie cowl giveaway. So please don't forget to add your comments at the bottom of each post for another chance (or two) to win a new pattern!!!

Giveaway #1: Winner!

 

   Congratulations to mobyknits (aka vernalequinox on Ravelry) for being selected as the winner of the Open Carriage Gloves Giveway! I will contact you on Ravelry to get your mailing address so that my lovely skein of Chickadee yarn soon becomes your lovely skein.

Jeannie

 Ah, Jeannie.

This is my personal favorite of the Best Buds’ cowls. I had a completely different vision in mind for this cowl, which was made for my daughter's friend, Miranda. About halfway through knitting the original cowl, I ripped it out and went in a totally different direction. Boy, am I glad I did! I just love how this turned out.

Don't you just love that there are leaves stuck in her hair? Ha!

Miranda, the sparkling red-headed model, is a vivacious girlie girl with a dramatic flare. I do believe we will see her in the spot light on stage someday.

This cowl, worked in the round from the bottom, features a combination of stockinette stitch and a squishy textured stitch throughout the body. Eyelets on one side are cinched together with an i-cord ribbon. The combination of the side ruching, big bow and different stitch pattern make this cowl perfect for that little starlet in your life.

Like Rosie and Janie, this cowl pattern has instructions for both child and adult sizes. It is also another great stash-buster because it uses approximately 120 (145) yards of aran weight yarn (this includes the yardage needed for the I-cord). I made the adult sized cowl for Miranda's mom, my friend Michelle. Both cowls were made with Osprey for the body. Miranda chose the Lichen colorway for herself "to match her flower dress." With left-over Sorbet from Emma's cowl (Janie), I worked up the I-cord ribbon. These two colors make a great team.

I chose to make Michelle's cowl in Cypress because I liked the idea of mom and daughter looking similar but not identical. Her I-cord ribbon was worked in something totally unexpected: Noro's Kochoran. Just by accident, truly, a ball of deep-stash Kochoran rolled toward the cowl on my bed while searching for that perfect contrasting colored yarn.  I love how these look together. What do you think?

And now it is time for another giveaway? How would you like a free copy of the Jeannie cowl pattern? Leave a comment below telling me what color/yarn combination you'd like for your Jeannie cowl. You have ONE WEEK to post a comment. Next Thursday, November 14, I will select a winner using the online random number generator. Be sure to let me know your Raverly name or email address so that I contact you!

Don't forget to keep checking back for more giveaways this week.... anyone interested in... yarn?