YOP Sunday

I've been absent for a few weeks first preparing for company and then recuperating! LOL!  I had a wonderful time though but got a little behind on "projects".  I also need to update my blog and Ravelry projects.  It's "crunch time" ladies and gentleman but never fear as the knitting and crocheting angels are here!  I actually don't concern myself with any deadlines since I've retired so the presents will get sent when they're done....whenever that is.

No...the Irish Hiking Scarf is still not done.  I totally had to put it away while my company was here as it was for one of them.  Actually, I was going to make 2 of them but I've chosen another pattern in a non-bulky yarn which is not so hard on my hands.  But I am happy to report that it is 46 inches long and the finished size is 55" although I might be going for whatever ends up being able to swing over your shoulder and stay there.  I think I'm on the 4th or 5th skein of yarn now.  I've also ditched the idea of making a matching hat....not now anyway.  No more scarves in bulky yarn for me!
I mentioned in a previous blog how I ordered a hat pattern from Purl Soho....supposedly you can download but you can't so it finally came in the mail yesterday!  A week later and a week's knitting gone by!  What really irritated me was that I called and she said she would email it.  It never came so I called again and she said before close of business....that was last Monday.  I like this pattern because it has several styles and each pattern has the sizes for baby, child, woman, man.  Not sure what that equates to but I'll take it as I don't have the heads nearby to measure.

 

  Here's a grandson's future hat which will have earflaps and the long tie hanging down if I can manage it.

Next up are crocheted star ornaments meant to look like this when I finish....

I did green stars since I have red ribbon...they need to have ends woven in and be blocked and maybe starched a bit.  Does anyone know how you do that will acrylic yarn items?  So far mine look like this.  The pattern for these is a free tutorial from Jodie over at Jelly Wares

Then I made a few of these "twinkler" stars from another free pattern from Sandra over at Cherry Heart on her December 5th post.  The size differs depending on the yarn and the size hook you use.   Both these gals are on Ravelry.

While I was over at Purl Soho I ordered my Christmas present..........a crewel embroidery kit I have had my eyes on for several years and which they have in short supply and sometimes not at all.  There was one left!  I grabbed it.... virtually.  This will be the project that will get done but only if I live that long! Are unfinished projects handed down from generation to generation?  It's huge but it reminds me of where I grew up...yes....it was definitely an emotional purchase.

These are custom kits from Blanche Virgien from Connecticut.  There are many more on the Purl Soho website.

It's huge! 20" X 24" stamped design on linen and the instructions........

A booklet on Basic Crewel Embroidery and pages and pages of very detailed instructions for each piece of the embroidery picture.  So happy about that as I haven't done crewel embroidery since my children were small and the "baby" turned 33 today!  There's a needle included and of course all the yarn needed.

So, that's what's been keeping me "off the streets and out of trouble" along with cooking, cleaning, decorating, card writing, bill paying, sewing and crafting.  Happy Holidays and may all your projects be done and in the mail by December 17th.  You know mine won't be! LOL!