okay...catching up

The holidays are now behind us, and so is all the frenzied crafting. I didn't take pictures of it all, but here are a few:

I handknit stockings for our family, starting back in July with the goal of one a month. Of course, I fell behind and ended up without a stocking for Forest. Sorry, Bud.

But what good are stockings without a mantel to hang them by our new wood stove? Gabriel came up with this beautiful pair the weekend before Christmas.

Some details:

I used Christmas Stockings: 18 Holiday Treasures to Knit (Elaine Lipson) for the following two stockings.

Snowy Night Gansey Stocking

This simple pattern came together quickly. I also used this same basic shape to create the red and white stocking pictured above.

Diamonds in the Rough Argyle Stocking

This one was the most difficult to knit: It was my first attempt with argyle knitting. Keeping all of those colors untangled along the back proved quite the challenge. But I think it is my favorite stocking out of the bunch.

Fisherman's Cable Stocking
I can't remember the name of this pattern, but the cable pattern was much easier than I expected.

Some of the gifts:

When we were in high school, Gabriel really wanted a leather jacket. Some of his siblings went together at Christmas to buy him a pleather jacket, which he proudly wore for a long time; however, it has sat untouched and unworn in our closet since we've been married.

I asked if I could recycle it into Christmas gifts, and he agreed.

the jacket: before

the purse and wallet: after

I made this set for Molly. I thought she might like something a bit more grown up, now that she is a married woman :-)

The wallet interior with lots of slots for cards...

A jumper for Grace, with a wee mouse puppet in the pocket.

Mrs. Potato Head for Grace

There were much much more handcrafted gifts. I was just too pressed for time to take pictures of them all:

• Tote Bag and Reusable Bulk Bags for Carolyn and Cindy
• Mama Wrap (warm shawl) for Carolyn
• Hat and Mitten Sets from recycled sweaters for Ben and Carolyn
• Hat and Pants Set from a recycled sweater for Grace
• Backpack filled with Cat, Dog, and Mouse Puppets for Hannah
• Slippers for Sarah
• Rice-filled Heat Pack for Kenny

And for Liam:

• Cow-print Apron for his Play Kitchen
• Felt Food (we all worked together on this)
• Red and White Striped Pajama Pants
• Magnetic Mr. Potato Head for the refrigerator

I'll try to post pictures of Liam's gifts later.

I had a lot of fun making special and customized gifts, but I should definitely get an earlier start next year...