the blue blog archives: knit one, cowl two

Looks a little different, doesn't it. Yes, well, I made some changes. After setting down what I'd finished before, I took a long hard look at it and was not convinced that it was really working. It certainly was cowl-ing and it would definitely be warm, but I started having doubts that the recipient would wear it. The alpaca was super soft for alpaca, but if she's got any wool scratch sort of issues, it's a no go. And it was taking up a ton of the yarn, which is not cheap. So I scrapped it.

I went to the yarn store, got a ball of Berroco Plush (pillowy soft nylon - no scratch issues here) and knit up a quick, little neck warmer instead. I bought some lovely little pearl buttons to hold it closed and voila, instant present that my aunt will probably like much more. I got the idea from some neckwarmers that fellow Knitsmith Dava brought in to show us a couple of weeks ago. She said a friend of hers found one for sale on the Cape for like $30 and thought, hey, I could make that. Yes, indeed! Me too.

You know what this means: holiday knitting done! Woohoo!!! And a big woohoo to other finished gift-alongers Johanna, Lee Ann, Melanie, and Suzanne. And also to Becky, who just finished her ribby cardie!

posted by alison at 9:07 am | in a christmas story

Comments

Congratulations on finishing your gifts. I'm up to 7 of 12 now. I'm starting to have project anxiety about my husband's Christmas sweater. I know I can finish it, but I'm afraid it won't fit! Maybe the knitting gods will take pity on me and help this sweater turn out right.

Posted by: Christina at December 22, 2003 12:00 PM

Beautiful neckwarmer! I'm still plugging away on the giftknitting, it won't be done till I disembark the plane at 11pm Christmas Eve... and maybe not even then! Aiee.

Posted by: Becky S. at December 22, 2003 1:15 PM

Yahoo! I too just finished up the one and only gift, also in Plush. I rescued the yarn from my sister in law who thought she might learn to knit on her pregnancy bedrest. She didn't so I turned the yarn into a sweater for my brand new nephew. Plush is fun, isn't it? I am not looking forward to seeming it though.

Posted by: amy at December 22, 2003 3:13 PM

There is no knitting quandary that a little Plush won't cure. Plus, you get the alpaca for yourself! Nice work.

Posted by: claudia at December 22, 2003 5:04 PM

Count me in as one who finished! I have seven gifts done for the holiday year:

1. Bucket-O-Chic in red Galway and Ingenua mohair
2. Legwarmers to match BOC using same yarn
3. Thinking Dress from Miss Bea's Rainy Day book using Cotton Ease in Popsicle Blue
4. Karen's Multidirectional scarf using Silk Garden in color 65
5. Booga Bag in Kureyon color 89
6. Booga Bag in Kureyon color 40
7. Fair Isle baby sweater from VK Baby Knits using Baby Ull in black, white and red

Photos of BOC and Booga bags are posted on Fluffa and BoogaJ. The others I did not photograph as I literally finished, packaged and mailed it out as soon as I could ( I also had to hide #2 and 3 from the Diva as they were for her).

Now for a nice glass of Bailey's on the rocks..... I need to start in February next year!!! ;-)

Posted by: Rose at December 22, 2003 5:51 PM

Way to go, Rose! I know what you mean about running straight to the post office with finished gifts. We all cut it close this year. Good luck to the rest of you still knitting! Christina, if I see the knitting gods, I'll be sure to send them your way. :0)

Claudia, you guessed the real motive of my cowl re-design. ;)

Posted by: alison at December 22, 2003 6:16 PM

What a great piece! A simple enough design, but totally unique~ What a lucky recipient!

Posted by: Gabrielle at December 22, 2003 6:27 PM

Looks much nicer than that one for sale (and it was $53!) I think I would like sheets made out of plush...
Oh! and scarf is finished, so EVERYTHING IS DONE!!!!!
I like the Bailey's idea...

Posted by: Dava at December 22, 2003 9:37 PM

I will have to keep a lookout for Plush. Have never seen it but it looks perfect for that project.

Posted by: Melissa at December 22, 2003 10:20 PM

Love the cowl/neck warmer. It looks nice and soft.

I think I will make a few of them for gifts for next year. I can only give my friends so many scarfs, soap sacks and wash cloths, etc. A nice cowl and felted mittens (which I love to make) will make a nice gift.

Posted by: Suzanne at December 22, 2003 10:22 PM