Holiday Gifting: Knitting and Felting

Amidst the chaos of the reno and holiday season I sought refuge in my knitting. Fast, easily accomplished projects on huge needles with chunky wool. I made these gnome (or elf!) hats for 10 little people in our life. They are just the sweetest little hats and they knit up (for me) in about 3 hours....3 hours knitting and talking on the phone/watching holiday shows, etc. I'm sure you could finish them faster if you have just a bit more focus than I!! *The pattern came from Living Crafts Magazine, though the pattern in More Last Minute Knitted Gifts is even faster, I think!




I also did my very first felting project in December. I took a bunch of 100% wool sweaters from Value Village (they MUST be pure wool) washed them in hot water and then popped them in the dryer, turning them into the most beautiful felt. Note* Check your dryer lint trap after a project like this, I never do and there was basically an entire sweater stuck in it:)




I then cut the sweaters up into approximately 1" X 1" squares (it felt so wrong at first.....but then it felt so good!) and Winnie and I used large tapestry needles to string the squares. Once we had enough strung we ties the two ends together into a perfect little felted wreath. Add ribbon and done. Note, if the diameter of the wreath is too large it won't hold it's shape on string. You'd probably need to use a fine gauge wire.



I also used felt scraps and sparkly buttons to jazz up a couple of the hats with felted flowers. Too cute!




Tomorrow, musical gifts...and moving.