Friday, December 26, 2008

All Done by Christmas!

For the first time that I can remember, I managed to get all of my Christmas gifts completed by Christmas! I showed you some of the things in previous posts, but here are the rest of the items that were finished and given as gifts this year.

Shown below are a couple pairs of slippers (I was sewing them together Christmas morning!). Also shown is a little pair of mittens for my great nephew.

These half-mitts went to my SIL in California (along with the black "magic gloves" they're shown with). I hope she likes them.

This is one of Kathleen Taylor's Freebie Friday patterns (Easy Lace Fingerless Mittens). I love these fingerless mittens and wear them for most of the winter--at home and at work. The nice thing about them is if you wear just the mitt, your fingers are still free for typing or other work, but if you add them over a pair of gloves (like in the photo above), they really keep your hands warm.

And here are the last items--2 off-white dishcloths for a couple of co-workers and the blue & white variegated one for my sissy. This is Cathy Waldie's free pattern called Christmas Lace Dishcloth. She also has a pattern for a matching hand towel to knit, but I wasn't that ambitious this year. You can check out her "Wishing I Was Knitting at the Lake" blog here or click on it in the Knitting Blogs and Links section in my sidebar.

I have a goal for 2009 of trying to finish at least one old project every month. I would also like to try and get my Etsy site up and running with some knitting projects to sell. If there are any Etsy sellers reading this post, I would welcome any advice you have to share. And I also have a plan to do a confessional post about my knitting addiction sometime in the next couple weeks. I think you will be entertained (and also slightly horrified) reading about how something as harmless as knitting can take over a person's life (much like the way birding has also taken over my life!)

I hope you all have a good weekend. I'll be working now until next Wednesday to satisfy the end-of-the-year deadlines, but that means that time off I'll enjoy from January 1-4 will be extra sweet.

24 comments:

Mama Pea said...

Hi, Ruthie - What fun to see some of the beautiful Christmas gifts you knit. Thanks for letting us all have a peek at them.

I saw the Pay-It-Forward shawl you sent to Chicken Mama. I tried to sneak it into my bag twice to take it home with me, but she caught me each time.

Looking forward to the post regarding your knitting addiction. (Should we start thinking about an intervention?) I have a feeling it's going to be very funny!

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Chicken Mama said...

Ruthie,

A friend and his wife who now live in Chicago are HUGE Etsy buffs / sellers / knowledge centers! She (Emily) even teaches workshops on selling thru Etsy. So, I think she'd be the perfect one to contact.

Under my blog roll, they're Discriminating Weirdos. I think their Etsy shop is called Moe Sew.

I've been thinking about doing Etsy, too . . . hmmmm.

:) Chicken Mama

P.S. Mama Pea said, about 12x yesterday when looking at my WONDERFUL Pay-It-Forward from you, "But, but . . . those are MY colors!" ;)

Shelley said...

I just love seeing all your knitting projects - so many wonderful creations!

Mary said...

You are really GOOD, Ruthie. I can't wait to hear your confession about the knitting addiction... :o)

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Your gifts all look wonderful Ruthie.

Leedra said...

Been looking for the half mittens, so I can wear them and use the camera. Daughter gave me 2 pattern books, both have patterns for them. Guess that means I have to make my own. But I have to make the grand baby (on the way) a blanket. Naturally I had a pink one ready, we now know we are expecting another grandson.

I am sure everybody will be enjoying the things you made them out of love.

Dana and Daisy said...

I love those fingerless mitts! I always fumble for car keys and change with my gloves on. This would be the perfect compromise!

Anonymous said...

The little hat you made for Ethan was so cute on him and it fit perfectly. I hope everyone else liked the gifts you made for them, home made gifts are always so special and welcomed by all.

MOM

Mary C said...

Ruthie, it looks and sounds like you and your family had an enjoyable Christmas - you for getting your projects done on time, and the recipients of your beautiful home-made gifts. And now you look forward to next weekend for a few days off. Bummer you have to work this weekend.

RuthieJ said...

Hi Mama Pea,
Just keep thinking about the Modern Quilt Square Shawl..... that's one of those unfinished projects I mentioned that will be completed in 2009 AND it's your colors too!
You remember that quilter's saying from a few years ago: "the one who dies with the most fabric wins"? well, ! substitute yarn for fabric - an intervention should probably be considered!

Hi Chicken Mama,
Thanks for the Etsy link to your friends. Most of my questions concern payment and how that's handled, so I'm sure she can help me.

Thanks Shelley.

Thanks Mary. Those were all fairly simple patterns. I haven't made anything very advanced in a while, but some of my projects to be finished are.

Thanks Lisa.

Hi Leedra,
I'll let you know when I get my Etsy site up and running, there will be some half-mitts on there if you're interested. Do you have a color preference?

Hi Dana,
I love them too and they're quick and fun to make.

Thanks Mom.

Thanks Mary C. It was a nice Christmas and good to get together with almost all of the family again.

Kim said...

Let me get this straight. You made those slippers???? Holy smokes....I can't even imagine the work involved in something like that. They are so lovely.

I love it when you post your knit work because it's eye candy to me. So nice and I appreciate all of the work behind that. It truely is a gift from the heart and better than anything you can buy off the rack that was made in China.

Jayne said...

Those slippers are amazing Ruthie! Your talent never ceases to amaze me. Do indeed get an Etsy site up and running.... you'd sell your beautiful work like hotcakes!

Mel said...

Hi Ruthie!
Your projects are always so beautiful!
Next year I also want to finish some forgotten projects, I hope I manage!
Sometimes I have so many ideas and so little time!
Besos,
Mel

RuthieJ said...

Hi Kallen,
To clarify on the slippers, I knitted the top "sock" part and then sewed them to the ready-made suede soles. I made a pair for Mr. Johnson and me a few years ago--they're really warm!

Thanks Jayne.

Thanks Mel--I have the same problem with too little time and so many patterns I want to try!

Heather said...

Congrats on finishing your gift projects on time Ruthie! They all look wonderful. My knitting co-worker made all of us in our department something unique - I got a lovely pot-holder from her. Hope you had a nice Christmas.

maria said...

Just wondering what did you use for the sole of the slipper?

Thanks,
Maria

RuthieJ said...

Hi Heather,
I almost made pot holders for my co-workers, but ran out of time and dishcloths were quicker.

Hi Maria,
The suede slipper soles are from a company called Somerset Designs (http://www.somersetdesigns.com/index.html). You might check with your local yarn shop to see if they carry them, or you can order them also from Patternworks (http://www.patternworks.com/products/search/slipper+soles.htm). Make sure you get the ones with the fleece lining on the sole.

maria said...

Hello Ruthie,

Thanks for taking the time to let me know where to get slippers soles.

Maria

sulli said...

Hi Ruthie... I just have to say, those fingerless mittens are awesome! Nice job.

Sulli

Anonymous said...

Very impressive, Ruthie! The slippers look so cozy and practical. I like the fingerless mitts, too! I'm inspired to get cracking on my projects!

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Meggie said...

Hey Ruthie! Hope you had a good Christmas. Glad you got all your projects finished. I've always been intrigued with the fingerless mitts. After reading your blog, I'm even more curious. I'll have to get me a pair.

Larry said...

If I weren't so much into birding, I might think you were getting carried away with knitting but I can totally understand how you can be so into something like that.Did you ever knit something that just covers the kneck-like a turtle-neck without the shirt attached?

maria said...

For Larry,

I know what you mean by this turtle neck without the body.

My sister made me one a few years ago and I love it.

Maria