The (not so) Wicked Witch of the West!

 I've had this Alan Dart pattern for years (thanks to a knitting friend). I knew as soon as I saw it that I wanted to make her for my mother in law. I know that might sound a bit weird to some of you. But if you know my MIL at all, you will know how much she loves Halloween.

I put off knitting her for a multitude of reasons, but finally I bit the bullet, and went for it. I knew she would be fiddly. The pattern is written so you knit every piece flat and then seam everything. I didn't want to do that. A few other knitters on Ravelry said they knit the majority or her in the round, so I went ahead and did that too.

The ruffles on the bloomers and boot cuffs I picked up stitches and knit. I had to stuff as I went on her body. On the fingers, I knit I-cord. The hair was so funny looking, I wish I'd taken a photo before I sewed her hat on, she is completely bald under it. I separated the plies of yarn to make it look as much like hair as possible.

 Putting her all together was so satisfying. Her fingers were the most tricky part, but so worth it! I then had to make a broom for her with bits and pieces I bought at JoAnns. I am totally thrilled with the finished product. I packed her up and sent her out west to her new home.

 My daughter, Little Miss M., was so reluctant to let me give her away. If she hadn't been for Grandma I think she would have had a fit. I love the picture she drew of her on our very dirty chalk board. I used almost all of the black yarn, but I have plenty left of the other colours. I used Berroco Comfort DK. It was pretty hard to find the right yarn for this project. Luckily they had this at Webbs. I hope to make us our own witch in the not too distant future.

Another yummy hot water bottle cover.

 This was sent to my Mum for Christmas. It's the same pattern I used for my sister's hot water bottle cover, but this time I put in the optional cable down the middle.

 Pink continues to be my mothers favorite colour, so I used Cascade Yarns 220 superwash paints wool. There are some great colours of this yarn. I added a few extra stitches on either side of the cable, because I thought it didn't look wide enough, and I put the cable on both the frond and back. I filled it with Reeses Mini Peanut Butter cups, and put it in the post. Boy are those chocolates heavy!

I love hot water bottles! I'm really happy with how this cover turned out. Luckily hot water bottles are much easier to come by over in England. My big sister and my niece sewed hot water bottle covers for my kids and I as Christmas presents, and sent them with much needed hot water bottles inside. We couldn't be more thrilled with them. It has been sooooooooo cold here lately, that we have been enjoying them night and day.

Hats, hats and more hats.

 Here are a bunch of hats I've knitted and given away recently. The four in this top picture were for a sister-in-law and her three kids. The girls got my modified version of Hermione's cable and eyelet hat. The pattern is available for free here. You can find my modifications on Ravelry.

The forth hat was for the boy in the family. The pattern is also a free one, it's available as a Ravelry download. It is called the Strib hat. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease yarn for all of them.

 This next hat was for a baby shower. I've made this one before, for one of my nephews. It's a great hat. It's called the Striped Elf Hat and is a free Ravelry download. They yarn is a mystery. I got it at a yarn swap at my knitting group.

 The hat is super stretchy. I tried it on my Little Miss I. and it looks so cute on her.

I've got a few more knits to share with you that were Christmas presents, and then it's all about baby shower gifts. I think there must be something in the water. I'd better not drink any!

Pretty little hottie.

 This little hot water bottle cover was gifted to my sister, Mrs. W. for her birthday this year. The pattern is available here for free. I chose to make it striped, but I'm thinking of making another one with a cable down the middle. The yarn was in my stash and was perfect for it. I love the pretty colour variations on the contrast colour.

 I've got a few things knit up I can't share until December, so you probably won't see any posts on here until then. Right now I'm waiting for some yarn to arrive, and I'm feeling a little lost with nothing on my needles. I might have to just start something before my Christmas present yarn arrives. I don't think I'll get a lot knit for Christmas this year. I always have high hopes, but leave it too late. If my yarn doesn't arrive soon, there may be no hand made gifts this year. Shocking I know!

The handmade part's of Halloween 2013

 For this years Halloween, and knit up just a few accessories to complete our costumes.

Little Miss. I. was little pirate. I made her hat from this free pattern. It was fun to knit. It was supposed to have a knitted eye patch with it, but I just used one we already had. She made a great pirate, don't you think?

Mr. M. was a stealth ninja. I knit him his balaclava. The pattern is available as a free Ravelry download. I wasn't paying enough attention while I was knitting this one, so it turned out less than perfect, but my boy loves it. He's been wearing it to the bus stop on those colder mornings we've had.

I had the tiniest accessory of all. Just my little red bowtie for my Mary Poppins costume. It's another free download on Ravelry.

Every thing was made using Lion Brand Wool-ease yarn. It just goes to show, a little can go a long way. I hope you all had a fun Halloween. It's such a fun celebration.

Mission Colour Affection Complete!

 I get to share pictures of my completed Colour Affection with you today. I've been working on it for about two months. The pattern is available to buy here. I knit it up in Cascade Yarn Heritage in shades of Charcoal, Lemon and Snow.

I thought this shawl would take me at least three months to knit, so it was a pleasant surprise to get it done in in two. I have shared a couple of progress pictures with before, but just in case you missed them, here they are again.

When I first bound off, it was way too tight, so I had to unpick it and try again. I had never done a super stretchy bind off before, and it's clear to me I need practice. So although this shawl is not perfect, I still really love it. Best of all, it's for me!

Progress and prizes!

 I've been working away on my Colour Affection. Here are a couple of progress photos. It's going faster than I imagined, and I'm loving it more and more as I go along. It will definitely be finished before the cooler weather hits, though I think I could use it in some of the air conditioned buildings I have to spend time in now!

 I entered two items in my local fair this August and look I got two ribbons. Second prise for my Owls sweater.

 A third place for my Hermione everyday socks. I won a whopping eight dollars! Since it cost twenty five cents per item entered, I'd say that was a pretty good return. I saw lots of my friends items on display as well. All of which were beautiful. It feels good to know so many talented knitters who inspire me always. Now I'll go back to work my colour affection, which I think may just win a ribbon next year. What do you think ?