pro·duc·tion  | prō’ dƏk shƏn |  the action of making or manufacturing from components or raw materials

With Christmas nearing, I feel as though I am in knitting production mode!  I always seem to decide very late in the game what I would like to knit for Christmas gifts.  I really have to work on the whole "planning ahead" thing when it comes to my knitting!

I may not have posted much in the last 6 weeks, but I have been busy.  I have knitted:

A sweater for Anthony (larger size than shown here!)

A sweater for Jacob

(He likes cardigans.)

4 pairs of slippers (2 more to go)

2 ascots

(I haven't taken a picture of mine,

but this is what they look like)

I'm working on an evening bag right now out of pretty sparkly yarn that uses a clasped purse frame at the top.  The knitting part was easy.  Making a lining and figuring out how to attach it to the frame is proving to be a bit of a challenge.  The pattern instructions were oh-so-helpful:  "Trace knitted bag to make a lining pattern.  Sew lining.  Sew knitted bag onto lining.  Attach to purse frame."  I have a feeling this will take a few attempts!  Finding the purse frame proved to be quite the challenge and after a couple of weeks of searching and calling, I ended up ordering from an online craft outlet that carries purse fittings.  It came directly from China -- oddly enough in about 5 days form ordering!

I have a few other things in the works, but can't divulge them just yet.  The recipients may read this!!

Less The Life-Size

 min i a ture    | ˈmi-nē-ə-ˌchu̇r, |  n.   a replica of something of a much smaller size than normal.

Every year I give a Christmas ornament to my grandsons.  This started years ago with my nieces and nephews, so it only seemed natural that I should do this for my grandchildren, too.  I can't believe I must admit this, but I have NEVER given a knitted ornament that I made!  Well, I've corrected that this year.  I've been knitting ...

  Mini Christmas Stocking Ornaments

(click to go to a printable pattern)

They are fast (it takes me about an hour and half, start to finish) and fun and cute!  And, especially for my Minnesota sister who hates knitting in the round on dpns, these socks are knitted flat with a seam along the bottom of the foot and back of the cuff.   The possibilities for variation are endless -- incorporate Fair Isle or intarsia patterns, use interesting pattern stitches or stripes.  You can even vary the size simply by changing the yarn and needles.

The base pattern uses a lightweight (weight 3) yarn and US size 4 needles.  The finished sock is about 5" long.

I also did a few smaller stockings using sock yarn with US size 2 and 3 needles.  

I plan to "fill" the stockings with a small toy or a candy cane.  

Working in the miniature inspired me to try something else in a small scale.  This was fun, but ... seriously ... winding tiny balls of yarn is HARD -- not to mention knitting on toothpicks! 

Have some fun trying to work in the miniature.  -K