I carved some stamps this past weekend to make wrapping paper. I’m notorious for waiting until the -nth hour to wrap things and then scrambling to fish bits of paper out of the recycling to hastily tie things up in them. In the end, the package doesn’t do justice to what I’m gifting (just take a look at these sew in labels that I think pretty much sum up the sentiment that goes along with hand knit presents). So, this year I’m doing something simple but handmade to wrap those little gems.

Bows! It’s getting cold and I’m wearing more sweaters and heavy jackets. I have a brown wool jacket that I think is lovely, but it covers up anything I’m wearing under it. So, stick a little knit bow to me and I’m a happy camper! Plus it’s knit in a deep purple which makes it look ten times fancier than a fabric bow.

Toasty toasty hat! This one has a folded brim to make the hat fit snugly but not too tightly and gives your ears some extra warmth.

The deer hat! I haven’t blocked it yet, I was just too excited to wait for that extra step. I bought the pattern from Little Owl Knits on etsy and have been waiting until I had enough brown yarn to finish the ears. Gah! It’s too cute.

Some fingerless mittens with a little extra flair.

I knit the Calais Shawl over Thanksgiving and I like the color, but I think I’ll try to nudge it a little closer to blue/grey than green/grey with some kool aid dying this weekend.

I’ve even gotten around to spinning up my stash of Linus wool from his shearing after we move a few months ago! The skein turned out really, really well and it’s all ready to go to it’s new home!

Socks! For myself this time. I’ve had them finished for months now, but I haven’t gotten the chance to wear them yet so they still look perfect. 

Knit sushi! I knit the shrimp and California roll, I think I’ll finish the blob of wasabi and roe roll this weekend and call it good. The shrimp roll looks great and was fun to knit, the California roll… not so much.

Shrimps!

And the crown jewel! The Dala Selbu Hybrid mittens. I had to redo a few parts more than a few times but that was just because I insisted on trying to knit these late at night and in the dark. Silly me. But now they’re done and look pretty great!

So that was a smish smash of things in my done-zo basket. I have a few more things on the needles and a handful left to start and then I’m all done with some time to spare.

Deer with Little Antlers Pattern! I love that the antlers are knit and then felted a wee bit.

Oh and these! These are pretty high up on my chart of awesome. They are little castles for storing all your double pointed needles (or what have you)! There are two options: 1.) pop the top off like the one in the photo or 2.) the little one actually rolls open and has some pockets for your needles around the inside!

Now these… these took me a moment to figure out what I was looking at. Yes, they are gnomes which are really quite fantastic on their own. But they’re actually little needle holders too! You pop their little hats off and slip your needles or pencils into their hollow bodies! I can’t even believe how exciting this is! My brain is starting to ferment ideas for all sorts of needle holding creatures…

Fringe Dress from mylolafashion

Rosemont Sweater from littlehouses

All Around the World Part II from aftershowershop

Dire Situations Skirt from minxshop

Handmade Leather Boots from spirocreations

Hair Clip Antlers from lithefider

Gold Feather from sealmaiden

My favorite part of the whole shebang! Great job NewDuds!

Theater Cloud’s Advice from a Robin

Beastiario’s Rabbit Brooch

Wonderland Room’s Rainbow Girl

Verabel’s Color Study II Locket

Available over at Mark Johns on etsy…