Knitterly Christmasy Goodness

I have been a knitting fool this Christmas season. I have finished a mystery project (can't speak of it as recipient reads the blog) and two hats that came out so fab! The first is the Jacques Cousteau hat, chosen first because of the cool decrease pattern on the crown and second because the recipient will appreciate that it is the Jacques Cousteau hat.

by Hestia6

It was an easy knit and I love the crown so much that this may be my go to hat pattern from now on.

I also made the Striped Hat from Debbie Bliss Knitting, Fall/Winter 2011. It is shown on a woman, but I made it for a boy. It is a slouchy hat and really on trend and a really quick knit. I didn't make it as long as the pattern called for because I didn't want it to look like Goofy's hat, and I'm happy with the way it came out.

© mahrle

I used Knit Picks Wool of the Andes and I LOVE it! I am a total Knit Picks convert. Great low prices, quality yarns, fast shipping, a huge variety of colors, what's not to love? I find myself stroking the hats because they are so alpaca soft. I am in love.

I have cast on Somerset vs. Norway, a gorgeous set of Norwegian design mittens featuring hares. I am using some of the Knit Picks yarns that I bought with chocolate brown as the background color and avacado green as the pattern color. This is my first set of these mittens and I am excited.

by Nethya

by Nethya

And some future project ideas:

If I get some cash for Christmas it is earmarked to go toward a Season 14 Doctor Who scarf (it's the shortest, at 8-10 feet long). From my elementary years, when I would run home to watch Dr. Who on PBS, I have coveted this scarf. It is the ENTIRE reason that I learned how to knit. I've been knitting around 10 years now, but do I have my cherished scarf to show for it? No, dear reader, I do not. It is time to remedy this situation. I will be using the Original Pattern from Chris Brimelow's DrWhoScarf.com. The Witty Little Knitter also has a great database for knitters wishing to make The Scarf.

I have some Brown Sheep Company chunky wool/nylon blend in a sunny yellow and black. It was earmarked for a new earflap hat for Will, but the hat is too tight and William has taken to wearing a prefab OSU hat that looks quite natty. So I have decided to make myself some slippers out of the frogged yarn. After searching and searching for a pattern that resembled moccasins I found these Non-Felted Slippers done by Yuko Nakamura. I love Japanese knits. They tend to be so clean and streamlined. Again, I'm excited about these!

And finally, a Great stash-busting project!

This is for all those bits and bobs of worsted weight wool that you have lying around OR the striped and solid color sweaters that you bought to frog but found that the yarn was too worn or itchy or lacy. It's The Ron Weasley Blanket and you don't have to be a Harry Potter fan to understand it's glory. Composed of mismatched randomly striped and solid 7in squares attached 8 across and 10 down, it should fit any bed you wish to place it on. And think of how warm it would be if you backed it with flannel or velvet and did a tied quilt. I would truly be an heirloom piece.

Here's Ron with his blanket at Hogwarts

This is Keri's Won Won Blanket

So there you go. Happy knitting. I hope I've given you all some inspiration and the push to pick up the sticks!

Relief Efforts for Japan

As of this posting, the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan has caused two nuclear reactors to melt down, in the town of Minamisanrikucho, 10,000 people - nearly two-thirds of the population - have not been heard from since the tsunami wiped it out, and there is an estimated death toll of over 200,000 in the entire country. The effects of the radiation will not be known for some time, and while aftershocks continue to shake the nation (over 150 at this time) damage continues. The Prime Minister is calling this Japan's biggest crisis since WWII.

I first saw this video on Twitter, it was posted by Soleil Moon Frye (Punky Brewster - she keeps an outstanding Twitter feed). I'm sure that many of you have probalby seen it, but for those of you that haven't, this is a first person account of the tsunami as it happened. It is shattering.

Needless to say, there are countless relief efforts on the way to aid the people of Japan in this tragedy. I will be including links to them in my sidebar (the links do not benefit me in any way). Please give what you can.

We sponsor a child through World Vision. They are a Christian humanitarian aid organization who uses all profits for relief work.

Save The Children is currently using donations from it's Emergency Relief Fund for Japanese aid.

To contribute to the Salvation Army, text 'JAPAN' or 'QUAKE' to 80888 (that's a zero, not an 'O') to make a $10 donation of visit their Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief page.

Doctors Without Borders will be sending two three-person teams to the Iwate and Miyagi prefectures. Donate here.

As always, Etsyians are contributing to the cause. A huge number of items are on sale with proceeds going toward the Japanese Relief Effort. Here is a sampling:

The Great Wave, $10.00, all proceeds go to World Vision

FOR JAPAN - Japanese Flag Hemp Bracelet, $4.95, 50% of proceeds go to the American Red Cross

Japan Earthquake Relief Red Hobo, $38.50, 50% of sales go to the Japanese Red Cross

Cat in Glasses Photo, $20.00, 100% of product price donated to disaster relief

Regardless of how you feel about her, you've got to admire Lady Gaga for designing a "We Pray For Japan" wristband. With her fiercely devoted followers and the PrayForJapan Twitter feed, this should raise significant funds. Bracelets can be pre-ordered for $5.00 and all proceeds will go to relief efforts.