Monday, December 25, 2006


Lost my original posting so reposting so everyone has something to 'open' on Christmas from us!


Recap:

Julie & Darrin - Felted slippers

Lily - already shipped - ballet slippers + BB stuff

Sara - Lopi Sweater

Nelli - Scarf/Shawl


Susan - felted purse

Ben - Sony gift card


Unfortunately, I didn't stay awake long enough for me to grab Santa's help, but I LOVE the following poem!




'Twas the night before Christmas and all around me

There was unfinished knitting not under the tree,

The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care

'Cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.


The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

But I had not finished the caps for their heads.

Dad was asleep---he was no help at all.

And the sweater for him was 6" too small.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I put down my needles to see what was the matter.


Away to the window I flew like a flash.

Tripped over my yarn and fell down in my stash.

The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow

Reminded me how far I still had to go.


When out on the lawn I heard such a noise,

I was sure it would wake up both Dad and the boys.

And although I was tired--my brain a bit thick,

I knew in a moment that it must be St Nick.


Yet what I heard left me very perplex-ed

For nothing I heard was what I expect-ed.

"Move Rowan! Move Patons! Move Koigu and Clover!

Move Shelridge! Move Starmore! Move Spinrite!Move over!


Lopi, don't circle around, just stand there in line.

Pay attention you sheep and you'll work out just fine!

I know this is hard as it's just your first year

But I'd hate to go back to 8 tiny reindeer."


I peered over the sill. What I saw was amazing:

Eight wooly sheep on my lawn all a-grazing!

And then in a twinkle, I heard at the door

Santa's big boots stomping on the porch floor.


I rose from my knees and got back on my feet.

As I turned around, St Nick I did meet.

He was dressed all in wool from his heat to his toe

And his clothes were hand knit from above to below.


A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back.

And his toys were all stuffed in an Aran knit sack.

His hat was a wonder of bobbles and lace

A beautiful frame for his rosey red face.


The scarf on his neck could have stretched for a mile,

And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.

On the back of his mitts was an intricate cable.

And suddenly on one I spotted a small label:


"S.C." in duplicate on the cuff.

So I asked, "Hey, Nick, did YOU knit all this stuff?"

He proudly replied, "Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.

I learned how to knit when I was just a kid."


He was chubby and plump, a well dressed old man,

And I laughed to myself, for I'd thought up a plan.

I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,

And the next thing he knew, he was tied to a chair.


He spoke not a word, but looked down in his lap

Where I had laid my needles and yarn for a cap.

He began then to knit, first one cap then 2--

For the first time I thought I might really get through.


He put heels in the stockings and toes in some socks,

While I sat back drinking a scotch on the rocks.

Quickly like magic his needles they flew,

Good Grief! He was finished by two!


He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,

And over his shoulder he looked back at me.

I heard him explain as he sailed past the moon,

"Next year, start your knitting sometime around JUNE!"

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Dec 24th Drying Slippers

Felted slippers for Erika, Julie and Darrin (yes I had alot of red wool!) Since I only managed to wash/felt them yesterday, they are still drying!!! I'm hanging them up near the fireplace now!
 Posted by Picasa

Dec 24th works in progress

See our tree - no presents underneath, that's because Mama thought she'd knit them all - well I got myself into trouble for all the yarn buying I did this year, so when Daddy asked why I needed more wool/yarn, I kept saying "but it's for Christmas presents!!!" Unfortunately, that meant I had to knit up the stuff I bought since Daddy figured there was no shopping to have to do!
Sara's Lopi Sweater (which originally I started in 2002?)

Nellie's Clapotis Scarf/Shawl - not all the ladders have fallen yet. Posted by Picasa

Dec 24th madness

Okay, I overextended myself - at the moment, knitting is no longer fun for me - I gave up on socks for my brother because I had to frog all the work I did yesterday when I tried the leg on this morning , then attempted 3 more times to restart and finally gave up. He's getting Tupperware instead!

And, as for all the projects for Ontario, well, they are in progress - being that the little guy and I were so sick throughout Nov/Dec, I didn't get in as much knitting time as expected - so as of last weekend I had to prioritize to the 'children'. Managed to whip up a pair of white ballet slippers (Knitty's Twinkletoes) for Lily on Sunday last week - then proceeded to work on Keiran's hat (which again is not finished).

So I'll be posting an email to the family with photos of their 'gifts to come'...guess once I finish them I'll start next year's gifts so I don't have this issue again!!! Although I figure since Sara knits, I'll give her a pattern and yarn next year and let her knit her own!!!!