Your Personal Penguin

 Did you ever read any of Sandra Boynton's books? I have to say I'm rather fond of them. I decided my youngest sister's two little boys need their own personal penguins for Christmas.

 I found this free pattern for 'Cheerful Holiday Penguins" here. The pattern calls for DK weight yarn and size US3 needles. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease, which is aran weight, and size US5 needles. So obviously they turned our a little bigger the original penguin. As with the Owl Ornaments I made, I felt like these little guys needed some feet. I knitted some i-cord and shaped them into feet. I just used yarn for the beaks and eyes, because my two little nephews are still very young, I didn't want them to choke on buttons or beads.

I love them!

Starry Night Mitts

 My Mum requested a pair of long, black, sparkly, fingerless, mittens for Christmas. I wanted to just use this pattern. I had made them for her before in pink and white stripes, but I didn't want to buy yarn online if I could help it. My local yarn shop did not have the right kid of yarn, but it did have some 'Berroco Flicker', which is mostly alpaca, with a silver sparkle throughout.

 I started out following this pattern, but the yarn just wasn't right, so after knitting one mitten, I frogged it. I went up from size US4, to size US6 needles. I decided to knit them quite a bit longer. I didn't like the thumbs, so I did increases instead. I didn't bother with the folded cuff either.

The yarn is super soft and warm, and the mitts are nice and snug, and look great. Mum has informed she has received compliments on them. So despite the problems I had, I'm very happy with them.

Oh Christmas Tree

 I went home to England for Christmas this year. It had been 15 years since my last Christmas in England, so it it was some what exciting. I spent many weeks in the run up to departure knitting my heart out. I wanted give hand made presents to my family. Today I'm sharing with you the tree ornaments I made.

There were six owls, three white and three grey, for my sister Mrs M. The pattern is called 'Seamus the Owl' and is available for free from here. I added feet, because I thought the would be comically cute. They are knit up in Lion Brand wool-ease, as are all the ornaments I knit.

 There were four more 'Jolly Robins' to make it six for Miss C.

These mini mittens were for my sister, Mrs. B. I made six pairs of them, each pair was slightly different. You can get the 'Mitten Ornament' pattern for free from here. I think the possibilities for variations with these are endless. They are so cute, and remind me of a old movie called Mr. Krueger's Christmas.

I plan on making a couple of each of these for my own tree eventually. I love how they all looked together on the tree.

Little Miss M's Blue Bird Skirt

 I'm back with more bad photo's of things I've been making! This time a sewing project. I was going to make a dress, but I decided a skirt would be quicker and easier. I may not have been right about that.

This skirt is for my middle child. Blue is her current favourite colour, and this fabric was in my stash.

It's a McCalls pattern, but i can't find a link to it. I had to add elastic to the waist band since like all my kids, Miss M is a skinny little thing. She's happy, I'm happy. All is right with the world.

I'll be back with all the things I knit for Christmas presents soon.

Go, Go, Garther Yoke Cardi

 I really don't have the skills or the camera to take good photo's, so I apologize. It's always hard to photograph black as well. I think this cardi looked way better in real life.

 The pattern is called Garter Yoke Cardi and is available for purchase from Vogue Knitting. It's a pretty popular pattern, so if you are on Ravelry, I suggest you check out what other people have done with it.

 I made it for my sister, Mrs W. She turned the big 30 so I wanted to make something she would really love, and get a lot of use out of. She wanted it in a neutral colour. I knit it up in Cascade 220 yarn, which is 100% wool. Hopefully it won't end up accidentally in the washing machine, because it will felt. Of course if it does, she could always turn it into a really warm pair of slippers, she has great sewing skills!

 I made the sleeves full length for her. She had mentioned that she finds it hard to get sleeves long enough for her super long arms. I wanted to add a little interest with the stripy buttons and the tape measure button band.

 It's hard to get sizing right when knitting for someone else, especially when they live 4000 miles away! I find it hard getting the sizing right for me, so I'll just keep practicing. I'll be back with more finished projects soon. Happy New Year!