Fun Gifts For Knitters - #1

Thought I'd spotlight some fun knitter gifts that are not yarn, fiber or patterns.

Love this! Nail transfers for crafty folk! What next?!

 

If you're interested in these go here. Etsy is the source of all that is good. I'll be bringing some more knitter gifts to your attention in the next couple of days.

What I'm Knitting

Here's what's on the needles these days. Gift time is ramping up, so I can't show you everything (because some recipients read this blog - you know who you are....), but Momogus Knits Industries is chugging away.

Look at this uninspiring piece of red chunky weight garter stitch:

This will become a Child's Easy Wrap Poncho - next pattern on the Momogus Knits Patterns conveyor belt. There's an adult version as well, with a more interesting stitch pattern. Ponchos are getting popular again, and I love the idea of them, but I can't get with the Brady Bunch look. These ponchos are simply a long rectangle seamed on to its own edge. Because you can wear them with the point forward or sort of draped off to one side, they're a little more versatile and (I think) better-looking.

These Mighty Mukluks just came off the needles in a frenzy. I'm teaching a class on them in January and wanted to take them out for a spin.

They're awesome. It's a little unwieldy and uncomfortable knitting chunky weight yarn on a #7 needle, but not enough to dissuade me from making more. I also added a 2nd sole to the bottom of each for comfort. I just followed the sole directions, made a 2nd sole and added it to the bottom of the completed mukluk with a 3-needle bindoff.

Here's a project that feels like it will be on the needles FOREVER (but it's actually only been a year):

This is the Two Hearts Pullover, from one of my favorite books of all time, Lisa Lloyd's A Fine Fleece. The yarn is Berroco Vintage. It's a beautiful pattern and not unenjoyable, but all of those cables switch on every other row and it's quite time-consuming. I pull it out and chug away at it for a couple of days every month. I'm almost up to the armholes. Someday it will be finished......

And now, my most obsessive current obsession, courtesy of this book:

I am a sucker for kooky fussy patterns, and here are 55 of them! I've made two balls - each took one satisfying day - and I can see myself obsessively working through the book because I like every one of the patterns.

Warm Hats, Warm Hearts Update

All those fingers out there must have been FLYING! In this post, I wrote about Warm Hats, Warm Hearts, an organization that was gathering handknit winter accessories for victims of August's horrible flooding in Vermont.

Here's what I sent them this week:

That's 32 beautiful hats, 2 pairs of beautiful mittens and 2 beautiful scarves (and one cat who refused to give up prime space on the couch)! Thank you so much to all who contributed (I'm looking at you, Dana, Leslie, Andrea, Kate M., Kate J., Joe, Kelly, Nick H., Mary, Barbara, Alice, and Patty - you all rock!) - there are going to be some warm, happy people in Vermont thanks to you!

If you have items to send, here is the address again:

Warm Hats, Warm Hearts

c/o India Tresselt

251 Huntley Road

Westford, VT 05494

And also, if you'd like to make a simple children's cap, leave your email address in the comments and I'll send you a free copy of the Momogus Knits Easy Children's Cap pattern.