Fast and easy gifts sort of in the last minute and shameless self promotion

I don't really have anything new and exiting to show, because most of the things I am working on at the moment are Christmas presents, even though we have bought loads there are still plenty to make... And making takes time, even something as simple as a knitted hat.



But I do have another finish here are the headbands I finished for two small boys (well, eleven and nine years old so rather big small boys). I made them simple since I didn't have much time and the boys really don't care that much for soft things. Both are the made the same way, except the darker one is a bit bigger.

Well, anyway, both boys get some money, a star wars rub-on tattoo and a reflective headband. 

When the pattern is simple I think it is important to use some yarn with a flair, and things that glow when the cars drive by so they see you is kind of nifty I think. And maybe the boys think it is kind of cool? I don't know, I have never been a ten-ish year old boy so I have no idea what they think is cool.


I also want to talk about packaging a bit. You know those leftover threads that are too small to really do anything with? I use them to wrap gifts in... And suddenly the two gifts are different.

I do sometimes buy real wrapping thread, but I do think it is somewhat wasteful so I try to buy the paper or twine ones rather than the plastic ones. But I think using up leftovers is nice.

*

How I made these super simple headbands? I can tell you, however remember that I am no knitting expert so these are super easy and don't really need a pattern, but hey, at least then I will know what I did if I have trouble remembering.
These are also so easy that a child can make their own ear warmers, but these boys are even less interested in crafting than wearing something handmade so it is better to make things for them.

I finished one during a movie this weekend so they are easy, fast and fun to do, if you ever need a quick present.

I used a 6mm needle and cast on 10 stitches for the small one and 13 stitches for the slightly bigger one, then I knitted ribbing back and forth for about 30 cm (or as big as the head that will receive the ear warmers) and cast off and sewed the ends together. (If you leave your ends a bit longer than needed you can use them to sew your headband together.) And Voila, a finish or two, in time for autumn and darker days.

Also, don't forget the competition over at gachastitches, you can win both the pattern and a pair of lovely crochet wrist warmers V for finurlig. And there is a free rabbit crochet square pattern up too.






Multe the rabbit is a free pattern, but we at gachastitches are in the process of making a baby blanket using several other bunnies. If you do want to make a bunny blanket using only Multe you can, but here we made a potholder using the pattern...

Multe is Norwegian for cloudberry.

A-Z challenge P

P is for Potholder

 When you talk about crochet you think blankets, doilies, granny squares and then potholders, I think traditionally those were the things mostly crocheted and so naturally crocheting and those items go hand in hand. I remember my grandmother had loads of potholders in her kitchen and they were crocheted mostly, and in her downstairs bathroom there was a doll with a crochet skirt and under her skirt was a toilet roll which I always thought was super fascinating, so much in fact that I am contemplating making one, I just need the doll.
I borrowed this book at the library and it is made up entirely of potholders and talks about it's history. It talks about how the potholder grew into something not even remotely useful for the intended purpose and became strictly ornamental and how every week after the cleaning for the weekend one would even change potholders in the kitchen as a ritual.

Grytekluten - et kulturminne fra bestemors kjøkken by Thea Rønningen

Very useful and decorative potholders

My favourite is the pink rose one in the middle.

                                                        Not so useful potholders.

 I think my kitchen needs a potholder with a hidden compartment like the second picture then I could hide some candy in it;)

 I loved this book, it has lots of beautiful pictures and patterns and history and snippets I didn't know. I always thought the colours they used were light and demure, but in this book it is explained that the colours have faded. The crochet potholder came to Norway around a hundred years ago and was mostly white red and blue and fairly plain but big since the pots were bigger then. The doll faced potholder came as early as in the 1920's but the era most attributed to the crochet potholder is between 1950 and 1970. In the early days the potholders were square, triangular or circle shaped but later they were made into dresses, mugs and even under garments! Imagine that. I have a hard time imagining my grandmother with undergarment potholders in her kitchen, she couldn't even hang her own to dry outside. The book concludes that every home should have potholders for different purposes and that they are a useful item and a source of creativity and enjoyment in creating! It seems the crochet potholder has received a renessanse.

 I think this book is must have for any crocheter and it can be an interesting coffee table book. And did you see the book has a small handle? Just like a potholder, I am so in love with the design in this book. There are many potholders in this I would love to make, and I have ample cotton yarn in my stash so I think these will have to sneak in my to-do-list, after all I have to return the book to the library soon.

And I simply must make one of those toilet-roll dolls.

....And to all....

Merry Christmas:

Today boyfriend and I will be so unChristmas-like and eat homemade pizza.

I have only one more present to go! I think this year, I FINALLY will make it, I made all the presents in time. YAY!

Here is a present, I hope that the recipient won't read my blog for a couple of days, but I think I am safe, after all, who has the time to read blogs at this time of year? ( My friends thats who, they have my blog on their RSS-Feed so those presents, even though I finished three of them in time for todays blogpost they will have to be shown later)

So because the person getting this present at one point wants to have chickens again, I made a chicken pot holder, not to be confused with chicken pox, which is a very bad gift indeed. The last two Henrietta Hen patterns will be for next year, and the year after, and I have already started on them. Yeehaa. I am on a roll with these presents. Only bad thing is that the set I was going to buy, the last two that matches this potholder are sold out, so maybe he'll get three complete opposites? That would be interesting:P

Here are the freebie baubles. One more in this series to go.

No pictures of bunny, because she is molting AGAIN and looking very sorry about herself. But I have bought a santa hat that is only one size too big, maybe she will cooperate later? :)

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

I like cats too

Cutie Pie.

I am getting more and more sure that my arms really can't crochet as much as I want to. My arm hurts too much.

But then I get to sew more:)

Here is the pair, and just enough yarn to make both. I like the combo. I used Puppets Lyric yarn. And I hope it will still match the recipients kitchen (she redecorated).

This was initially a Christmas present, but I temporarily lost it, and when it was found I did not have time to finish the last few rounds on it. Then I decided that since I was late anyway I would make the square one also.

What do you think?

Cats in a pot

Look what I made! Is done :) Potholder for friend. And it is no longer a Christmas present, but a friendship-present. Because I love my friends. Look at the fat cat^^ He looks like a little pig.

So a project I have is to make five pairs of these potholder duos. For my best friends. Some will get granny squares, but I am hoping to make a couple a little more challenging, like maybe some ripples? This cotton yarn is really difficult because the strands separate so the weaving in of the loose ends are killing my arms. But I manage. A little at a time is my motto. One end at a time;) The yellow cat needs a face and ears, but what do you think about its little bow? Should it be a ear-bow like little miss kitty-chan or a neck bow?