So, the kiddies are napping (finally) and my needles have been burning since 6am, so fast I can hardly feel my fingers! I figured, if I type a bit with a quick blog post, maybe I'll regain some of my circulation. I've been wanting to throw some last minute knitted gift ideas your way for a while, but as you can imagine, now that I'm back to work, and the baby, and yadda yadda yadda... time is rather hard to find these days! At any event- I started a really quick knit this morning for my mom, who has been working so hard lately, and then racing to our house on her days off to give us a hand. She mentioned to me that she needed a new pair fingerless gloves, of course she tells me this 3 days ago (keep in mind I'm no where near finished with my holiday knitting)!!! So, yesterday on the way out of the shop, I grabbed a couple of balls of cashmerino aran in a charcoal grey. Of course, I would love to knit her a pair out of some fabulous hand dyed merino, but she's a simple lady when it comes to color (black, brown or grey- I don't really know if you call that simple or what)... I just followed the La Dolce Vita pattern I wrote for Tilli Tomas last year, but with a 4x1 rib, since my mom isn't one for ruffles. Another simple and quick pattern for fngerless gloves, that uses Cashmerino Aran is Fetching from Knitty. Fetching is a super quick knit, however it calls for 1 ball, and I don't know anyone who has gotten away with only one ball of Cashmerino Aran for the pair, so grab two balls - or approximately 140 yds to play it safe...
This neck warmer is an oldie but goodie in my shop. Most importantly, it's the quickest gift ever to knit! A US 17 16" needle, one hank of yummy Blue Sky Bulky, and a skein of Colinette pt 5 is all you need to knit this must have winter accessory- perfect for a day like today. This is a gift that you can knit in one sitting! Cast on 34 sts, join in the round- careful not to twist, and knit knit knit. You can stripe it or design it however you'd like. If you come by, you'll see the store sample- EASY!!
Foliage!!! I love this hat, I knit it in 2 nights, but for anyone who can knit uninterruptedly, 1 night is all you need. It calls for one skein of malabrigo worsted- which I did, however, the pattern also offers a chunky version, which would obviously go quicker..It's adorable on, a great gift!
Then there's the Cabled Hat and Scarf pattern from Blue Sky Alpacas, oh before I forget, there's a great little trunk show in my shop right now, with samples from Blue Sky, that I really do NOT want to return. This pattern calls for their hand dyed Worsted- an absolute luxury to knit with, and those who dare to knit with it, return for more every time. This hat is for my brother, oh I guess he's worthy of my favorite yarn in the world, but he's another one, black, brown, or grey. Maybe it's a hereditary defect...I figured I would add this one to the list of mindless and speedy gift ideas. It's the award winning suri cowl that we all drooled over last year, and is still so retro and fabulous. One skein, US13 16" circ. Cast on 60, join in the round and knit the entire skein, it really can't be easier. It is so soft and cozy, and I promise you, whoever you knit this for will absolutely love it (and you) forever!!!
Here are a few of the samples that Blue Sky sent over to us to admire and be inspired by.Two Button Hat Set...
Hat & Wristlets...
Fair Isle Hat Set...
And there's more, see you in the shop!!
