Pattern: Gretel
For: me
Yarn: 182 yds Elsebeth Lavold Angora in Cherry Red
Size: Regular
Needles: US 3 (ribbing), US 6 (the rest) Knit Picks Options
Timeline: started 12.19.2009; finished 12.25.2009

I lost my first Gretel in March of this year and immediately went and bought the exact same yarn to make a replacement. I went ahead and knit a replacement in June, but it turned out insanely big. I finally got around to reknitting it (yet again) using smaller needles. I also knit the regular version instead of the slouchy one, but I'm wondering if the slouchy would have been better. I still have a full skein of yarn left, so I can always rip back if I want. I'm going to try it out as-is for a while. I do think that it's pretty cute and the tighter fabric should be even warmer than the original. I'm so glad I finally have a Gretel to wear again.

Pattern: Dashing
For: me
Yarn: 160 yds of my handspun, 8 wpi, Navajo plied
Fiber: Illinois Green Pastures Montadale Top
Needles: US 6 Knit Picks Options
Timeline: started 11.22.2009; finished 12.18.2009

As you can see, handspun can definitely make things interesting. I knit these up exactly the same, but evidently I spun more thinly as I went along. I went and ripped out 6 rows on the longer one after these pictures were taken, so at least the hands are the same length. I left the rest because I didn't want to reknit it. I also used up pretty much all of the handspun, which I spun from local fiber. They're really warm, but I need to remember to put them on before putting my coat on, since they're pretty thick.

I knit a few Xmas gifts this year, so I thought I'd toss them all up here.


Pattern: Cap'n Crunch
For: Auntie Lottie
Yarn: 183 yds Valley Yarns Colrain in Chestnut (held double)
Needles: US 10 1/2 Knit Picks Options
Timeline: started 11.30.2009; finished 12.01.2009

Pretty self-explanatory. I'd originally planned on making 2-4 Xmas gifts besides this one, but gave up. This was the first one I made, so I ended up throwing it into this game we play and it went home with my Aunt Lottie. Oh, and the buttons are the ones I originally rejected for my Forecast and used for my Tilted Duster.


Pattern: Jaywalker Cowl
For: Mom
Yarn: 146 yds Noro Cotton Kureyon in 16
Needles: US 4 Knit Picks Options
Timeline: started 12.04.2009; finished 12.07.2009

I've had this yarn for a while and I've been wanting to make something for my mom with it, since she isn't much for lots of wool. I wasn't sure how it would knit up, but I am absolutely in love with the colors. I might actually try to make myself something similar out of different yarns at some point. Oh, and to knit this, I cast on 100 sts, worked in 2x2 ribbing for an inch, worked in the zig zag pattern until it was long enough, and then worked another inch in 2x2 ribbing. It's a bit tight to get around my head, but my mom can get in on easily and it fits her better.


Pattern: Marsan Watchcap
For: John
Yarn: 141 yds Cascade Yarns Rustic in 08
Needles: US 7 Knit Picks Options
Timeline: started 12.07.2009; finished 12.18.2009

I've wanted to make this hat for a while, so I was glad when my brother said he wanted a hat and like this pattern. The twisted rib was incredible boring to knit, but I love how how it looks. Plus, it fits my brother great.


Pattern: Cabled Hat of Awesomeness
For: Mom
Yarn: 101 yds Feza Iplik Opera Solid in Gray / 111
Needles: US 9 Knit Picks Options
Timeline: started 12.07.2009; finished 12.18.2009

I was worried about the size and floppiness of the Jaywalker Cowl, so I bought a skein of yarn to make this as a back-up. It was a great, fast knit, although I probably wouldn't knit this yarn as tightly in the future. It sure is warm, though. Obviously, it came out snug for me, but it fits my mom pretty much perfectly.