Tam

I finished my tam a couple of weeks ago, but I haven't worn it yet. It is not as warm as my felted hat that is x number of years old... even though it is a lot cuter.

It started out quite shapeless:



The instructions say to block it on a dinner plate of the correct size:



After it was blocked it turned out really nice.



(DH says it looks frosted in the middle; it is just the way the variegated thread turned out.) DD2 has been encouraging me to line it so it would be warmer. At first all I could think of was to knit another tam, adding it inside out to this one, but that would be a lot of work. Then I thought of felt, but that wouldn't be very soft. Then today, at the grocery store I saw knit hats lined with fleece, and I thought "Eureka!"

I also need to add some elastic to the brim, just to tighten up a little. It turned out so pretty, though, that I think the extra effort in finishing it will really be worth it. It is knit with the same thread I used for my windowpane scarf:



I have enough yarn to make matching mittens too, in the yellow/red range.

Reader's Wrap

My sister asked me to knit her a "Reader's Wrap." This is an original picture of the pattern she was looking at:  (Click the picture to go to the web-site.) 

We shopped together on line, sending links back and forth with pictures, colors, and fiber choices. She wanted it to be washable and warm, so I picked a super-wash wool: 

(DD2 modeled it for me before I mailed it.) The pockets are big enough to hold a paperback book.

The note I got back from my sister:

I got your package, and I love it!
The colors are beautiful, the work is nicely done, and it is perfect to wear in a chilly house.  The best thing is that my big sister made it for me, and when I put it on, it's like a big warm hug.

Valerie, I am so glad you like it!

DD1 spent time hanging out with us on Saturday. She had been shopping and saw a blanket/throw she liked at West Elm. When I looked at the picture, I said "I can make that!" (straight single crochet). She wants it big, but crochet works up very quickly... I already have 5 inches done. She picked out her own colors which I think are lovely. The only thing is... it may not be any cheaper than the original. We shall see... pictures to follow.

Wintertime

Sometimes I wish I was a bear... I could go to bed and sleep through the whole dark cold winter. Not that it has been a bad winter, I just finished shoveling snow for the first time this year. We do not have a trip to Arizona planned yet... we may go later this winter/early spring, but it is too early to tell yet.

I have finished some knitting, but in one case the recipient hasn't received it yet, and I don't want to spoil the surprise, and in the other case it is not blocked yet. Next week, I promise!

GITS Temari (I made one!)

I participated in the New Year GITS (Great International Temari Swap) this New Year. I love having a temari to open as my first activity for the new year (besides kissing DH, of course).

I received this beautiful temari from Cheryl. It is a traditional crane.



Isn't this "feather" stitching beautiful?



This is the one I sent in return. I was actually quite proud of myself that I finished my first temari in about a year. I had a different pattern in mind, but my mari was not very even, so I played around until I came up with this design. It is a c10 with interlocking stars with the points on the short lines of the pentagons. Each star then has another gray star layered over it on the long lines.



I had these interesting threads to use, a dozen coordinating variegated threads, in an equivalent of size 8 pearl cotton. I used the more purple colors for the bigger/bottom layer stars, and I used the same lighter color for all the top layer stars.



When I tried to get a picture of the threads in our short winter days I was not getting accurate color at all. I stepped outside, and even though it was twilight and the flash went off the colors are showing quite nicely.

I didn't crop the picture so I would be able to show you our heaviest snow-fall this winter so far. This past Sunday there were finally icy road conditions, and we had our annual crop of ice-related road accidents while people re-learned how to drive for the winter.

I happened to stop by Toguri Mercantile on Saturday and discovered that they are going out of business. This is the shop that carried temari books in stock. I just discovered, by googling it this morning, that it was founded by the father of the woman who was tried as Tokyo Rose! I am hoping to rescue the temari books that are left in stock in the store, to redistribute them to the temari community.

Christmas presents

I made several Christmas presents (knit cup cozies) this year. This one was made for someone, but when the moment came to wrap it I could not find it! Panic! I quickly made a second one (they knit up nice and quick) and wrapped that one instead. This one was found when I took the Christmas decorations down, so now I have a cup cozy for myself.



Merry Christmas!

Christmas Presents

We had a lot of fun with our Christmas presents. C got a jewelry set.



P is enjoying the obligatory Lego sets. He puts them together by himself now; mama misses helping.



P is pretty thrilled about his archery set!



We had a little bit of a duplicate theme going on! At least DD1 picked out something DD2 wanted!



The timer works on my camera! Here is the whole gang on New Year's Day. We had Chinese food, lots of chocolate, and each other's company.



I got a tablet, a yarn swift and ball winder, a knitting book, some very nice clothes, and a couple of charms for my bracelet. That was all wonderful, but the above is the best!

Epiphany

Today is the first day of Epiphany, and it lasts until the beginning of Lent. I will close my series today with the three gifts the Magi brought to the baby Jesus

gold as a precious metal
I am sure this gift supported Joseph and Mary and Jesus while they were refugees in Egypt, fleeing from Herod. 



frankincense as perfume or incense

Incense was used as a representative of prayers to God, when given as a gift to Jesus, it indicated his divinity. 



(Please pardon the poor picture--I got a reflection off the glass.)

myrrh as anointing oil

Myrrh was a symbol of Jesus being anointed as king, and of Jesus' death, even at his birth. It was an odd gift for a baby, but not for new-born king. 



I LOVE these patterns. They are from Victoria Sampler, and I fell in love with them when I saw one started at a needlework shop. It was so much fun using all the different fibers and metallic threads. I just wish I had a good place at home to display them.

Thank you for following along this Christmas season. Tomorrow we go back to our regularly scheduled blog.  I do have some backlog of things that happened