Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Yarn Along {Christmas Gift Edition}

Instead of the usual Yarn Along (posting about what you're knitting and reading), this week I'm sharing the Christmas gifts that I knitted.
 

I try to knit my niece a sweater every year, and this time I went for a more neutral gray rather than the usual pink or purple. :) I was worried about it looking a little too boyish, but I'm really happy with it. (Plus it fits her perfectly and looks adorable on her!) She's only two and this sweater is knit from DK yarn, so it didn't take too long. I had some gray yarn leftover, so I knitted her a matching hat (also using the leftovers from my most recent hat). Sweater project page and hat project page.


My dad got his usual pair of worsted weight, 100% wool socks. They were made with some blue superwash Wool of the Andes from KnitPicks. Project page.

Excuse the terrible lighting, but I was taking these pictures just before wrapping gifts. :) My sister-in-law likes to wear boot cuffs, so I made her two sets: a black pair with diagonal purl lines and an oatmeal pair with cables. Project page for black pair and project page for cabled pair.


And my mom got her usual pair of pink socks. :) They're just basic vanilla socks made from some KnitPicks Stroll Tonal yarn. Project page.


These were definitely the most interesting project I knitted for Christmas! I knew I wanted to make my mom some slippers. When I saw this pattern, I knew that if anyone would appreciate wool slippers with lots of fluffy fiber inside, it would be my mom. This was my first time knitting anything thrummed (thrums are those bits of fiber that are knit into the project), and my first time making slippers. It was so interesting to see these take shape! Halfway through the first slipper, I realized that they were going to be too small, plus I had made a mistake with the shaping. I ripped it out and started over in the next size up, and by that time I had a good idea of how the pattern worked, so things went much more smoothly. These slippers are so fun to knit, though there are several rounds after you finish the sole that are tricky to knit because of the tight corners. They're not the most attractive things ever, but they have to be warm and cozy! :) Project page.

{Yarn Along is a weekly link up hosted by Ginny where you can share what you've been knitting and reading.}

34 comments:

  1. Santas helper was very busy this year! I am most impressed with all (so many!) your beautiful knits.

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  2. Your knits are just beautiful Kristin. I love the thrummed slippers. I have never knit anything thrummed as it's not needed here on the coast of SC, but now my daughter and her family live in Germany so I will be giving it a try soon.
    Happy New Year.

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    1. Thank you! Yes, I'm sure your daughter and her family could definitely use some thrummed knits. :)

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  3. Oh those thrummed slippers are awesome! My mom made me thrummed mittens a few years ago and they are they best...now imagining them on my feet. ;) I've put these on my knit wishlist for next year. :)

    The sweater is adorable as well! You are so very talented.

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    1. I bet thrummed mittens are really cozy! :) Thank you.

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  4. Such lovely projects! The sweater is absolutely stunning!!! And I love the combo of grey+yellow on your hat!

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    1. Thanks! I really love yellow and gray together, too.

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  5. What lucky family members you have. Those are all wonderful. The sweater for your niece is stunning, and those slippers look uber-cozy!

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  6. Gorgeous knits!! They are all so wonderful! Happy New Year!

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  7. I love all your knitted gifts! just gorgeous. Happy New Year

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  8. Wow those slippers look amazing! Love the sweater and hat too, matching knits are the best :)

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    1. Thanks! They were definitely interesting to knit. :)

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  9. Those are all great gifts. I really like the sweater and hat and those pretty slippers.

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  10. Beautiful Christmas gifts.....those slippers look soooo cozy!!!

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  11. Wowsers you are so productive, I love all those knits xxx

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  12. Your sweater is a classic masterpiece

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  13. Some lovely projects - I love the thrummed slippers and the sweater and hat set are gorgeous, I bet she loved them.

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    1. Thanks! Well, at this point, my niece gets more excited over toys than sweaters...but hopefully she'll appreciate how warm it is. :)

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  14. Oh my! You've been doing some serious Christmas knitting, congratulations, all the projects are wonderful to receive!

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  15. That is an awesome collection of knits! I especially love the sweater and hat that you made for Stella - so adorable! The combination of gray and yellow is VERY cute.

    I finished up my first knitted item in December, and now I'm excited to try some new things in 2016. I made a hat using the Fresh Mint pattern by Alicia Plummer (because I fell in love with your example!), and it turned out really well! I've been putting it to good use - today the low was -20 and the high is supposed to be 15. Winter around here is a little intense. :D

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    1. Thanks! I love the yellow and gray together, too. :) That's awesome that the Fresh Mint hat was your first knitted item! Congrats! It was quite ambitious for your first project. :) Wow...I can't imagine temperatures like that. It's mild here, anyway, but this winter has been especially warm so far.

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  16. you are a great knitter.
    I wish you a happy new year full of wool!

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  17. Mm I bet the thrummed slippers are amazing to wear!

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Please feel free to leave a comment, I love to read them! :) I reply to each one, so be sure to check back, especially if you asked a question.