Happy New Year Gifters!
You have done such an amazing job this year - you've totally convinced me that there is a BIG place left for the art of the handmade gift. Thank you for your enthusiastic participation - and congratulations on the wonderful finishing you've done!! I know it's not easy to stay the course for a whole year, but many of you gave it an honest try.
I used a short survey as a way to decide where to house our group in 2009. I wanted the administration components to be manageable, and I wanted participants to have easy access to the discussions and postings we all love. The overwhelming majority vote was for us to move this group 100% to Ravelry. I know that not everyone who has been using this blog has a Ravelry account, so if you don't yet - sign up is quick and very easy! You can email me directly if you need help getting signed up.
To continue gifting all year long with us in 2009, go to the YLGAL Ravelry group and click the "Join this Group" button in the top right corner of the main page. You'll find much of the same discussions there that we've been maintaining here - Monthly Goal Lists, Quarterly Challenges, and more suggestions and links for great gift ideas.
As always, reach out with your questions and suggestions. This year - invite a friend to gift-a-long with you too!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Sally's 2008 Wrap Up
Cross posted at Sally Comes Unraveled and Year Long Gift-A-Long.This is my last post to the Year Long Gift-A-Long blog. I know they are moving exclusively to Ravelry, so I probably won't post these lists on my blog anymore. (But you will see the resulting FOs.)
You may have noticed my recent barrage of FOs on both my blog and the gift-a-long blog. I'm trying to catch up and wrap up 2008. Here's an update of the last list I posted.
1.
2. Even More Boogie Time (who knows what will happen with these. I ended up giving the recipients another gift.)
3.
Forgive the all the code names - the recipients read this blog.
1. Code Name: Turning Japanese (I owe Mom and couple of Wishy Washy Fish Tawahi.)
2.
3.
4. Code Name: Wally World (I owe my sister's boyfriend a Nintendo Controller Cover for his DS.)
5. Code Name: Hollywood (I'm still working on Jules' gloves.)
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
FO: Tychus
Cross posted at Sally Comes Unraveled and Year Long Gift-A-Long.
Keep your fingers crossed that this will fit an eleven year-old boy. It may be a little small on me, but I have a big head.
This is Tychus, the first FO of 2009. I just finished it a little while ago. Before I seamed it up, it looked like this:
I had a big debate whether to do 4 sections or five, since I'm making it for a small head. I decided to go with 5, since the gauge is smaller than suggested. My gauge is approximately 32 rows and 18 stitches per 4 inches. The pattern suggests 15 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches.
You can also see that the seam is a little wonky. I had to fudge a couple of stitches. Even if the seam is perfect, I don't think there is a way to avoid a obvious seam.
It's also pointier than I prefer. Maybe the recipient can stretch it out.
To recap, I used a little more than half a skein each of Cascade Greenland in colors 3510 (blue) and 3523 (green.) This was some of the yarn I bought at Wildfiber. I used only one strand, not two as suggested by the pattern. I also used US Size 6 needles from my Boye Needlemaster
.
Keep your fingers crossed that this will fit an eleven year-old boy. It may be a little small on me, but I have a big head.
This is Tychus, the first FO of 2009. I just finished it a little while ago. Before I seamed it up, it looked like this:
I had a big debate whether to do 4 sections or five, since I'm making it for a small head. I decided to go with 5, since the gauge is smaller than suggested. My gauge is approximately 32 rows and 18 stitches per 4 inches. The pattern suggests 15 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches.
You can also see that the seam is a little wonky. I had to fudge a couple of stitches. Even if the seam is perfect, I don't think there is a way to avoid a obvious seam.
It's also pointier than I prefer. Maybe the recipient can stretch it out.
To recap, I used a little more than half a skein each of Cascade Greenland in colors 3510 (blue) and 3523 (green.) This was some of the yarn I bought at Wildfiber. I used only one strand, not two as suggested by the pattern. I also used US Size 6 needles from my Boye Needlemaster
.
FO: Wrist Pillow for Dad
Cross posted at Sally Comes Unraveled and Year Long Gift-A-Long.
A couple of years ago I made several of the "Earthy Computer Mouse Pad Wrist Pillows created by Jennifer Tallapaneni, and I gave them as gifts. But I didn't give one to my Dad. (At least, I don't *think* I did. If I did, oops.)
I know Mom was asking a while back if I could make one for the computer she shares with Dad. I figured Dad would like that as a gift. He spends the most time there.
Even if I have given one to him before, this one is nicer. I used some of the leftover Malabrigo Worsted in "Red Java" that I used for the Malabrigo Mini Mitts. I probably used less than a quarter of a skein. I still have plenty leftover for another project.
I also used my US Size 5 Brittany Needles.
I think I didn't cut the cardboard perfectly, so the bottom is a little wonky. But it does the job.
When I visit my parents, I'll have to see if this is getting used.
A couple of years ago I made several of the "Earthy Computer Mouse Pad Wrist Pillows created by Jennifer Tallapaneni, and I gave them as gifts. But I didn't give one to my Dad. (At least, I don't *think* I did. If I did, oops.)
I know Mom was asking a while back if I could make one for the computer she shares with Dad. I figured Dad would like that as a gift. He spends the most time there.
Even if I have given one to him before, this one is nicer. I used some of the leftover Malabrigo Worsted in "Red Java" that I used for the Malabrigo Mini Mitts. I probably used less than a quarter of a skein. I still have plenty leftover for another project.
I also used my US Size 5 Brittany Needles.
I think I didn't cut the cardboard perfectly, so the bottom is a little wonky. But it does the job.
When I visit my parents, I'll have to see if this is getting used.
FO: Reversible Cable Scarf
Cross posted at Sally Comes Unraveled and Year Long Gift-A-Long.
This is another FO that's been a long time coming.
It's the Reversible Cable Scarf from Lion Brand. I started it in fall of 2007. (Yes, you read that correctly, 2007.)
This was the scarf that made me fall in love with Berroco Ultra Alpaca Yarn
. It feels so good on the wooden needles, and it has very crisp stitch definition.
I used US Size 5 Brittany Needles. (BTW - I broke one of these needles, and they did send me a new one, as promised by the company.)
It's been so long since I started that I'm unsure of what went wrong on the wonky end. I think I bound off with US Size 3 needles, but cast on with the US Size 5. That still left the beginning of the scarf all ruffly.
I didn't count this as an FO until Christmas Eve, when I tucked in the loose ends. I meant to try to block the ruffly end, but I ran out of time.
I think (but I'm not positive) that this color is discontinued. It's 6276 Woodland Mix. I was trying to go outside my "comfort zone" and try some earth tones.
I highly recommend Berroco Ultra Alpaca. It's great stuff. Especially the heathered "Mix" colors like this one.
This is another FO that's been a long time coming.
It's the Reversible Cable Scarf from Lion Brand. I started it in fall of 2007. (Yes, you read that correctly, 2007.)
This was the scarf that made me fall in love with Berroco Ultra Alpaca Yarn
. It feels so good on the wooden needles, and it has very crisp stitch definition.I used US Size 5 Brittany Needles. (BTW - I broke one of these needles, and they did send me a new one, as promised by the company.)
It's been so long since I started that I'm unsure of what went wrong on the wonky end. I think I bound off with US Size 3 needles, but cast on with the US Size 5. That still left the beginning of the scarf all ruffly.
I didn't count this as an FO until Christmas Eve, when I tucked in the loose ends. I meant to try to block the ruffly end, but I ran out of time.
I think (but I'm not positive) that this color is discontinued. It's 6276 Woodland Mix. I was trying to go outside my "comfort zone" and try some earth tones.
I highly recommend Berroco Ultra Alpaca. It's great stuff. Especially the heathered "Mix" colors like this one.
FO: Foliage: Purple, Version One
Cross posted at Sally Comes Unraveled and Year Long Gift-A-Long.
It's revenge of the chunky Foliage hats!
Remember last year I made three of these? One in red, one in Emerald and one in lime alpaca.
This one was made with Malabrigo Chunky, like two of the other three, This color is "Purple Mystery." Like the other hats, I used US size 10.5 dpns for the main hat, and US size 9 dpns for the ribbing. I'm pretty sure I used bamboo needles.
I actually made this one in one sitting for last year, but it never made it to the recipient until this Christmas. It's been on my coffee table ever since.
This one turned out like the rest. I'm pretty happy with it.
It's revenge of the chunky Foliage hats!
Remember last year I made three of these? One in red, one in Emerald and one in lime alpaca.
This one was made with Malabrigo Chunky, like two of the other three, This color is "Purple Mystery." Like the other hats, I used US size 10.5 dpns for the main hat, and US size 9 dpns for the ribbing. I'm pretty sure I used bamboo needles.
I actually made this one in one sitting for last year, but it never made it to the recipient until this Christmas. It's been on my coffee table ever since.
This one turned out like the rest. I'm pretty happy with it.
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