Finished! A large piece of christmas knitting intended for my mom, she who knits everyone everything and yet never has anything knitted for herself. I know she desperately needs a hat and a scarf but hates fussing with two layers. A hooded scarf that buttons in the front will hopefully be the answer.
I used some suri baby alpaca from the stash, only four skeins and a smidgen of a fifth. It's a soft, cozy yarn that drapes well and has just the slightest hint of a halo, an important consideration with my Mom's allergies. 
The pattern is Peaks Island Hood, by Ysolda Teague from her book, Whimsical Little Knits 2. Not one of her beginner patterns, this one -- there are some vague references and no chart to clarify things -- but a bit of concentration is all that's really needed. Rav projects details, here.
Sort of a glamorous "Starlet in Vermont" vibe to it, I think. Merry christmas, Mom! Now, put 'yer hat on!
(Thanks for the photo, papaloo!)
'Cos really, it's all about the candy decorating, and I hate wasting good food. Not to mention the time to mix, cut out and bake the thing, all the while hoping that it will hold together.
The Martha Stewart people were kind enough to save me the trouble with a template and Papaloo spend an evening in front of the fire with a beer, free cardboard and a sharp blade. Ah good times...
The candy is all from Hallowe'en and Miss Loodyloo was made clear from the very beginning that this was it's intended use. Most of it is still a choking hazard at this point anyway and we really didn't need the extra sugar meltdowns. She was more than happy with this and declared that next year she would go to more houses to collect more building material. Yeah, okay, nice try.
We supplemented with a couple of Necco Wafer rolls from our village store -- de riguer for a traditional New England Swedish Gingerbread House, you know. I made a sticky marshmallow "glue" by melting a handful along with a glug of corn syrup -- better for finger licking than Elmers White and it worked well on the wafers. Not so well on the chunky stuff, but really, what does that's edible?
No masterpiece but also no stress and a whole lot of family fun. Next year, maybe a few more trick or treats isn't a bad idea after all. Maybe I can convince a neighbor to start handing out Neccos.
Oh so very over the top, though really what Fabulous Jewels aren't? Stash felt, fabric and elastic but the gems and glue I did purchase (total cost $3.55). I'm still counting it as a stash project though. Ha.
I nicked the template from Juicy Bits and then embellished with the shapes and gems at will. The elastic seems a bit too tight to me so I may have to have a seam ripper handy christmas morning. Then again, Miss Loodyloo may prefer it balanced on the top of her head. You never know. 
Currently on the sewing table -- a pair of matching bracelets -- just looking for some velcro now...
I've done it! I've broken the bulky weight barrier. This is a 2 ply DK weight, 11 wraps per inch, of some very hairy but soft shetland. I switched to the highest ratio I've got on my vintage S10 and kicked up the treadling. I put as much twist as I could in the singles and plied it tight -- there was a whole lot of z twist before I washed and thwacked it, hard, a few times but it's settled into a very well balanced and behaved skein. Whoo hoo!
I'm thinking this would make a lovely hat, no?
Yes.
After christmas. Right now, I should be knitting something else, for someone else, and I'd better get back to it.
For Miss Loodyloo's tea parties. They are getting to be quite grand affairs, with much setting of tables and laying out of goodies.
I took felt from my stash and patterns from this book, "My Favorite Felt Sweets", one of my first Japanese craft books.
All set for tea time. A good thing since I was getting a bit weary of the same plate of cookies and donuts from last year.
/>
It's amazing how little bits of fabric can mimic swirls of whipped cream and layers of frosting. I had fun seeing these bite sized treats come to life.
