Of Knots and Knights and Gnomes

Well, here it is Christmas Eve morning and I'm taking stock. Somehow I learned a new (new?) lesson this year. I learned that you do not start a business and plan to give your grandsons all homemade gifts in the same year. It all began with the best of intentions. First, the mittens with finger flap pattern that I found in Handknit Holidays.

There were a few challenges with the pattern. Like, while increasing for the thumb gusset, the pattern specified M1 (make 1) but wasn't specific which kind of increase to use, so I made a few mistakes with my assumptions and needed to do some ripping out. But I got it, and got the thumbs onto the waste yarn, and even got one of the flaps prepared and onto the stitch holder:

All in all, it's looking pretty good, huh? I loved this pattern, had the perfect, soft, handspun wool to use for each boy, AND Satchel struggled with his gloves on our carriage ride. I knew I was onto something. And it all started out so well. I worked the mittens tandem so that I would be assured I'd get them all completed together and on time:

But when your boys also go to your school and you are working 10-12 hour days, there's not much secret knitting time. Actually not much time at all. These poor little mittens were in and out of my bag and carried from bed to chair and car to car so much, things got ugly. Here is what they look like this morning:

Needless to say, no mittens from Grandma under this year's tree.

So, other than that fiasco, the theme for this Christmas was knights for Satchel and Gnomes for Ike. Once again, the best plans to make all gift s by hand didn't pan out. And truth be told, had they had a complete gnome outfit in the store I wouldn't have made anything. But this is how it went. For Satchel, a knights smock and hood, two wooden knights, a wooden dagger and a book Peter and the Wolf.

And for Ike, a gnome cape and hat that I made, a sack with crystals, two little gnome dolls and the book, Winter, Awake. And, a wooden dagger.

I also made each boy some new napkins (with an ethnic mama and baby theme) and a set of silverware for their school lunch baskets. I purchased the child-sized fork, spoon and spreading knife at Cost Plus and added beads to the handles with wire, then coated it with glue. Silverware fit for a knight...and a gnome.

Now I'm off to make lemon pies (my Myer lemon tree is dripping with fruit) for tonight and the traditional breakfast casserole for tomorrow morning. What do I REALLY want to do? Figure out those damned mittens. Thank God I have two weeks off.

Blessings to you all.

Comments

[Susie]

Fantastic giftery for those boys. I love the dressing up bits - my nieces and my own kids were/are very fond of dressing up play. And I am SO impressed with the silverware. I think they're absolute treasure.

Merry Christmas!