Ok, so the closer it gets to the holidays (or the f_in' holidays as my friends call it) the more I try to gauge how many presents I can knit in time. So far I have ZERO presents done. That leaves about 20 left. Right now I think I'm going to make all the guys the Swell hat on Knitty. I'm almost finished with one in blue and white stash yarn (Patons classic wool doubled on 8 needles).
Even though the gauge seemed right (4.5 per inch) the hat seemed small to me (I used the medium version for my nephew Frank's head). Plus the carry method of changing colors always makes the pattern area less stretchy. I also had to make it a little longer before I started the crown shaping. If all this fussing around makes a good hat, I'll make 4 more for the rest of the guys in different colors. I have some pumpkin and olive patons classic wool that I was going to make my Kurt Cobain sweater with, but opportunity knocks and I don't have any money to buy more stash.
I think the women are all getting arm warmers. There are piles of good patterns out there if you want to check them out. I made the first set for MB's birthday with Wool-Ease in a shiny white:
Mikado Fingerless Gloves
Snowball's Chance Armwarmers
Lion Cashmere Arm Cosies
Funky Punky Armwarmers
Supple Rib Knit Armwarmers (I like these)
Striped arm and leg warmers
Merino Stripes Gauntlets (that's a fancy medieval name for armwarmers!)
Patterned Armwarmers
Ribbed Armwarmer ($4 pattern)
Wacky Armwarmers
Faux Cable Armwarmers
ShitLoad of Armwarmers!!!
Everyone is getting these this year!!!!
take care, sue
