...And don't forget it!

Who knew one little ornament could create such a family stir??? We were all enjoying a relaxing and pleasant Christmas, my sisters were admiring my tree until they spotted it....an ornament from my Mom hanging discreetly near the back of my tree. It's a silly looking girl wearing a Christmas outfit and holding a plaque that says "Middle Child, Mom's Favorite."

FREE PATTERN for Coffee Lovers!

My friend Lori and her husband get up at the crack of dawn EVERY DAY and walk or jog to Starbucks for their morning cup of java. Since this is such an important part of their day, I thought I'd knit them matching coffee cup cozies. I used Berroco Jasper because it is a very soft self-striping merino wool - wonderful to knit!

Berroco Japser

Here's the free coffee cozy knitting pattern:

EZ Coffee Cozy - Free Pattern

Fits - regular or large coffee.

What you'll need:

• 1 ball Berroco Jasper (98 yards worsted weight wool - makes 2 cozies)
• 6" Size US 5 double pointed needles

Cozy Pattern

1. Cast on 44 stitches on double pointed needles.


2. Arrange evenly on needles and place marker at beginning of round.


3. Work ALL rounds as follows: (Knit 2 stitches, Purl 2 stitches) repeat around. This is a 2 x 2 rib stitch.


4. Work until cozy measures 4" from the beginning.


5. Bind of in stitch pattern.


6. Weave in all yarn ends.
   

Hmmm...what can I knit today?

Now that all of our packages are shipped for Christmas, yesterday I felt like I needed something inspiring, but small to knit on for the next few days. I selected these Mission Falls Nikki Mitttens from the new For Him & Her book. I changed the colors to coordinate with my winter vest and coat. I'm also knitting mine in the round on double pointed needles rather than straight needles. If you tried our Fair Isle Mystery Hat Knit along, this may just be a fun "next step" project for you. We sell the kit at and you can substitute colors. Click Here to shop Kit. or click here to view/shop Mission Falls colors.

Here's what I accomplished last night while watching Die Hard 4 with my husband last night. It's working up rather quickly!

A bundle of joy!

Our friend Susan was kind enough to share this adorable photo. It's her little grand-niece, Taylor, cuddling up with the Heaven Baby Blankie made by Great Aunt Susan.

To make this Heaven Blankie for someone you love:

You'll need:

• 5 balls Plymouth Heaven Solids or Plymouth Heaven Prints
• Size US 11 needles
  

Blankie Pattern:

• Cast on 55 stitches
• Knit every row until almost out of yarn.
• Bind of loosely.
• Weave in all yarn ends.

Happiness is...a Hannah Montana Concert

I spent a very tiring, stressful, but very enjoyable night with three cute little girls at the Hannah Montana Concert. They danced and sang to every song, jumped around, and did A LOT of screaming...ahhh...isn't that what being an 8-year old girl is all about!

What Kind of Flower are you?

I took this test the other night when I was tired, but didn't feel the discription sounded like me. I took it again today...and it hit me dead on.

Here's what it said about me - "Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

So, I am a Snapdragon...I guess I'll need to plant a few of those in my garden next summer.

Take this quick, fun test - it's so cute!

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

Procrastinator's Quick Cap - FREE PATTERN

When it comes to knitting, my eyes are usually bigger than my stomach. I LOVE starting projects but then something goes awry when it comes to actually finishing them. Take for example, my dad's gift from last year...a pair of very nice socks...still one toe yet to be completed. My goal for 2008 is to try to complete projects I start. I just finished two hats and a toy this week so hopefully I'm headed in the right direction.

Now if I can just remember where I put Dad's socks so I can finish them....


Procrastinator's Quick Cap

Hadley is modeling Youth size.


Just as the name implies, this is for all of us who put things off until the last minute. It's fast, easy and fun!


Hat sizes: Child (Youth, Adult)

Completed Hat Measures: 15 1/2 (17, 18 1/2)" Please note this hat has quite a bit of stretch and if made to gauge should fit very well.





Materials Needed

• 60 (75, 120) yards: Bulky weight yarn - We used Trendsetter Yosemite 1 (1, 2) hanks
• 16" circular needles size US 11
• Size US 11 double pointed needles
• Stitch marker

Gauge

11 stitches to 4" over stockinette stitch on size 11 needles or size needed to obtain gauge.

Hat Pattern

1. Cast on 40 (44, 48) stitches on circular needle
2. Place marker at beginning of round.
3. (Knit 2, purl 2 - rib stitch) repeat around to marker for 3 rounds.
4. Work in stockinette stitch (knit all rounds) until hat measures 5 1/2 (6 1/2, 7 1/2)" from the beginning.
5. Knit onto double pointed needles and begin decreasing as follows
6. (Knit next 2 sts, knit next 2 stitches together). Repeat around 10 (11, 12) times - to marker. 30 (33, 36) stitches remain.
7. Knit next round.
8. (Knit next stitch, knit next 2 stitches together). Repeat around 10 (11, 12) times - to marker. 20 (22, 24) stitches remain.
9. Knit next round.
10. (Knit next 2 stitches together). Repeat around 10 (11, 12) times - to marker. 10 (11, 12) sts remain.
11. Knit 0 (1, 0) stitch. (Knit next 2 stitches together). Repeat around to marker. 5 (6, 6) stitches remain.
12. Cut yarn leaving a 12" tail. Using a finishing needle, weave tail through remaining stitches. Fasten off.
13. Weave in all yarn ends.
14. Enjoy.

Funny or Not

Gift Exchange link

Every Christmas, in addition to our regular gift exchange, our family does "Funny Presents." Just like a Pollyanna, we draw names and then each buy a little gift (under $5) for the person on our paper. Since I host Christmas, I am usually assigned the job of drawing names. I'm sure my family won't want to admit it, but the "random" name draw has gotten somewhat....fixed. A hint from my mom, that my dad saw something for my sister and wouldn't-it-be-nice-if-he-got-your-sister-for-Funny-Presents. Or one of my sisters calling to say she really doesn't want to get "you-know-who" cuz she "just wouldn't be able to figure out what to get" for that person. I've even been guilty of throwing back a name or two until I pulled a name I wanted.

So this year...I decided to reinvent the Funny Presents. This year....you just buy a gift for no one in particular (under $10) and it will be a White Elephant (aka Yankee Swap) Exchange. No more premeditated picking names!

This leads us to a whole new dilemma. Previously, the idea was to buy a present that was funny. Now...does one buy a gift that is funny and go for the quick laugh...or does one buy a gift that everyone wants and tries to steal from one another???

I think we're keeping the name, Funny Presents. I am looking forward to seeing how this new family tradition plays out. If you want to try it here's a link to the rules.

Makin' a list and checking it twice...

Here's what we're up to at my house this week...making THE LIST for you-know-who.

Christmastime in NY and it snowed!