Christmas Knitting

For the record, I did finish knitting all of my Christmas presents before the actual holiday (though not way before), I just haven't had time to post pictures because I was rushing to finish the scarves for the S'n'B book, which were mailed out today.

Due to budget and time constraints, only a few people got knitted gifts this year, but they're also the most likely to appreciate them.

First to be finished was Candace's scarf (my brother's wife. married in October. yay!). I had ordered the yarn for it back during the summer with the intent of making xmas presents early (oops).

Yarn: Ejido 160 in Shells, by handpaintedyarn.com, 2 skeins
Needles: #9 straights

Pattern: a variation on the classic feather and fan, but I'm calling it the Shell Scarf Pattern

CO 30st. The best suggestion I can give to get the pink-in-the middle with this particular yarn is to do the long tail cast on, and make your slip knot in the middle of one of the brown sections.
(1) Knit
(2) k3, p24, k3
(3) k3, k2tog 4 times, [YO, k1] 8 times, k2tog 4 times, k3
(4) Knit

BO and block.

Notes: It was hard to give this scarf away. I LOVE this colorway, and hope that they make it again (it's not available at the moment, but they're revamping things). The pink-in-the-middle effect was a total fluke, but I'm so happy it turned out that way. It really enhances the pattern.



I wish I had taken better pictures of it. If you click on the picture on the right the image is pretty huge and you can get a better idea of the texture. And here's Candace on Christmas!

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Next is Mom's scarf. Finished second (very quick knit).

Yarn: Impressions, by Scarlet Fleece, in Raspberries and Kiwi, 1 skein
Needles: # 15 straights
Pattern: CO 18, k1p1 ribbing



The yarn is very thick and thin, so I wanted to do something simple to show off the colors and texture. Note: I originally put fringe on it and wrapped it, then decided that I hated the fringe and unwrapped it, took off the fringe, and re-wrapped it. The colors in this yarn are beautiful.

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And, lastly (finished Dec. 22nd), my brother's scarf. I wasn't really sure on this one. He's hard to shop for and Candace couldn't come up with any good ideas, so I asked if he'd wear a scarf. And she said yes, if it were black. So I picked the new baby alpaca we have at the shop, because I figured if it was soft enough he'd be more likely to wear it. If not, I told Candace to take it.

Yarn: Baby Alpaca Chunky, by Cascade Yarns, color #553, I used 2 skeins and about 1/3 of a third skein
Needles: #10.5 straights
Pattern:it's like mistake rib, except different. I'll post it later.

I didn't actually get any good shots of the scarf up close (I was just happy it was done and I could wrap it). But I was really happy when Brandon opened his gift and put the scarf on immediately. He looks proud (and yes, his shirt does say 'nuttier than a fruitcake'). You can see the ribbing a bit in the blown up picture.



Cece liked the scarf, too.