Screeeech! Let's Rewind the Holidays

So, I have been so super-busy with holiday knitting, travel, and the ever present search for the elusive job. Here's a quick rewind since Thanksgiving.

First off, I had a solo Thanksgiving. I had a lot for which to be thankful. This past year I finished up law school, sat for two bar exams, passed both bar exams, took a solo trip to Scandinavia, and am now a licensed attorney in Massachusetts. New York is still awaiting some paperwork processing. The solo Thanksgiving Day was a good chance for me to take a second and give myself a pat on the back. I have a good footing to start the rest of life. It's exciting to have so much hard work behind me, but also exhilarating to think of what's next.

The homemade Green Bean Casserole was delish! The best part of it all was that I didn't have to share. (Not pictured: the pumpkin pie which I accidentally made extra savory and the apple crumb pie).

Second of all, I've been knitting a lot, especially gifts. As I mentioned in my previous post, there have been lots of babies. I sent some gifts to Baby Amelia, including the Saartje's Booties, and two February Baby Sweaters. Her moma even posted some pictures of Baby Amelia wearing them. You can view them here and here. I'm just tickled that they seem to fit ok, at least for the time being. I was a bit uneasy to send them. The last thing I wanted was to burden my friend with useless baby clothes.


Third, I took a holiday trip to the homeland, namely, Missouri. I had lots of knitted gifts to distribute (and some that needed finishing). Here's a roll call of the gifted knits. Unfortunately, I'm the worst photographer and missed some final shots of some gifts.

For Grandma Murphy, I knitted her a Rose Red Beret by Ysolda Teague out of Malabrigo in the Paris Night Colorway. Last Christmas I gave her a Crofter's Cowl made out of the same yarn and wanted to complete the set. The hat turned out great, but it was the only gift I absolutely never took a photo of.

For my stepmother, Darlene, I made a set of towels out of the Sugar 'n' Cream yarn that I had laying about. It was very satisfying to find a purpose for which it was all so well suited. The colors also seemed to match her kitchen very well. Grandma Murphy was kind enough to let me raid her button collection. There were many, many fantastic buttons that I wanted to steal and run away with but I restrained myself.

Pattern: Mitered Hanging Towel by Cristina Bernardi Shiffman from Mason Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines
Yarn: Lily Sugar 'n' Cream in Spring Swirl, Cream, White, Strawberry and Shades of Green
Needles: No. 7s
Buttons: G'ma's Stash

Aidan made out like a bandit. Knitters can be some of the best people for which to knit. They always like what you've made or at least they can seem to appreciate it even if they don't care for it. Aidan got a pair of Mary Jane Slippers and a Cabled Hot Water Bottle Cozy.

Pattern: Toasty-Cabled Hot Water Bottle Cover by Arianna Halshaw

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky
Needles: No. 10s

Pattern: Mary Jane Slippers by Whitney Van Nes
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Superwash in Icy Blue and Purple Haze
Needles: No. 6s and 5s

Dad and Grandpa both got yarn that will be socks...eventually. I'm knitting Globe Trotter's Socks by Jodie St. Clair for both of them. I finished the first sock for Dad using Shelridge Farm's Soft Touch Heather in Toasted Chestnut, but it was about 1/4 inch too short. So I'm awaiting the receipt of a contrast color for the toe.



Grandpa's socks didn't even make it out of the skein. I have some Knit Picks Stroll Sock Yarn in Gray Basalt all ready though.



I didn't knit Mom anything this year, but she did get an official Dale of Norway Sweater all the way from Oslo itself. It seemed to fit her, which was my biggest fear. You can check out the sweater here on the Dale of Norway website. I got it in the blue colorway which looks fantastic with Mom's silver hair and blue eyes. I also didn't get a picture of her wearing it. What was wrong with me?!

For my high school buddies I made a series of Bella's Mittens, which I did with much shame since they are from based on mittens worn by Bella in the Twilight books. Sigh. Oh, well, they are nice and toasty. In total, I made 4 pairs, all out of Lamb's Pride Bulky and in the colorways, Cranberry Swirl, Silver Streak at Nite, Sunburst Gold and Jack's Plum.

Pattern: Bella's Mittens by Marielle Henault
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky (shown in the Cranberry Swirl)
Needles: No. 9s