This Christmas I decided that I wanted to knit something special for the members of my family. I asked the people I was unsure of what they wanted, instead of knitting something that they may not want.
My mom got a pair of socks. "Bonsai" is from "Knitted Socks East and West". I highly recommend this book to any sock knitters. It has some lovely patterns in it, they are easy to follow and produce beautiful results. I have made a few pairs from this book and I am in love with them all. These were a bit tight when my mom put them on, so maybe going up a needle size would have been a better fit, but once she got them on, they looked amazing.
My sister asked for a cowl. Not just any cowl; it had to be "chunky and big enough to go around my head twice and I want it in light beige". At least she was specific... I found a great pattern online. Stockholm Scarf fit my sister's description perfectly. It was a great and easy knit, I was able to make it in just over 2 days and she was unbelievably happy with the results and I saw her wearing it every time she went out. Success!
My other sister asked for a pair of socks, a teddy bear and a marshmallow hat. I didn't know if I would be able to finish everything for her, but I managed it. I do not have a picture of the marshmallow hat (I'll try to get her to take a picture of it so I can post it... it's hot pink and looks great on her!). The socks were another pattern from "Knitted Socks East and West", this time I chose "Chouwa". They look amazing, the picture does not do them justice.
She also wanted a teddy bear, but I didn't feel like making another one, so I opted instead to make her a Hippo! The pattern is from "Itty-Bitty Toys", and it came out fantastic.
Next was my dad. He was the hardest person to make for by far! I knew I had to find something unique for him, but at the same time still be cute. Stone the Gargoyle provided me with the perfect solution. He looks absolutely fantastic while still having some charm!
I also knitted a pair of socks for a friend. The Horcrux socks can be found in the Six Sox Knitalong group on Ravelry. Another great easy knit pattern (and super stretchy too, so it will fit all sized feet!).
Another pair of socks for a friend. Again from "Knitted Socks East and West". These ones are called "Ninja". Another super stretchy socks for those of you who don't know the exact foot size of the person you are knitting for.
A pair of socks for my aunt (sorry about the poor picture quality). aFlame is available as a free Ravelry download. A great quick knit that isn't complicated enough to throw you off, but it keeps your interest.
I didn't get a picture of the socks that I knitted for my grandmother. Another free ravelry download; the Norfolk Ramblers pattern is excellent. The cross-stitch is a pattern that my grandmother gave me for Christmas last year and I completed it for her and gave it to her this Christmas. She seemed really pleased with it!
Writing everything down in a post like this makes it look like a lot less work then it actually was. I basically started knitting in June and have been making things on and off since then. I think I'm going to start even earlier next year!!
