As I think I mentioned before, looking after the ailing Dafter has provided me with a lot of knitting time. And what better use of knitting time than to make Christmas presents? I was very productive this year, and can’t resist showing off a little bit.
First up, I made two golden shawls, from Malabrigo sock wool and using the Holden Shawlette pattern by Mindy Wilkes. I bought two hanks, as the yellow colour “called” to me to make it into a shawl for my dear friend Roobeedoo. Lo and behold – most unusually for me as I am a “loose knitter,” not the same as being a loose woman – I had an entire hank left when I finished it. I then thought of another person who favours gold, and made a second one for her. It was a pleasure to knit both – one of those simple but effective patterns.
Holden shawlette
I then made this “Cleome” shawl designed by Charlotte Walford for another knitting friend. It uses Manos del Uruguay Fino yarn, which is 70% and 30% silk and therefore very dreamy to knit with. The pattern was intriguing, and not nearly so complicated to do as the finished result looks. Tilly helped me to block the shawl – she is always trying to pull the pins out!
Cleome shawl
Prior to all the shawls, I tried my hand at knitting some socks, which I don’t do very often. I made these slipper-socks for my friend and neighbour Betty:
baffies for Betty
Lastly, with the clock somewhat ticking down to the last posting day, I turned my hand to making the Rosy Posy Tea Cosy by Loani Prior. I used leftover wool from my rather large selection, and was very pleased to discover that I was able to crochet well enough to make the roses for the top. I’d been inspired by the crochet lesson that Tina gave Jill during our get-together at the Lighthouse Museum in November. Thank you, Tina!
Who says old dogs can’t learn new tricks? (And no, I’m not crocheting the cardigan that I’m wearing!)
Rosy posy tea cosy
Rosy posy tea cosy, view of the top
I was practically sewing it together on my way to the post office! But I did make the deadline, and I really hope it arrived before Christmas.
I’ve said it before, but will say it again – thank GOODNESS for knitting, it really is such a lifesaver.
Oh I love these shawls, particularly the pink one and as for the tea cosy.. it’s gorgeous. As someone who has only started to take my first tentative steps into the knitting world, I am inspired by your creations.
By: Marie on January 3, 2013
at 12:16 pm
I loved reading about your Christmas!! So many blessings! The biggest blessing of all must be to see how the Dafter is responding to this very great trial with her patience and determination and good attitude. I’m so glad she had a few days to feel improved and I pray it won’t be long before she feels that way all the time!
Your knitting is so beautiful!!! I have the rosy posy teacosy too and love it!!!! Must try the shawl you knit in yellow — it is marked in my favorites. Yours came out so beautifully!
Happy New Year to you all!
By: Heather L. on January 3, 2013
at 2:53 pm
Goodness! I’m so impressed by (and admittedly a little bit jealous of) anyone who can create such beautiful things with their own hands. These are gorgeous.
Happy new year to you and all your family!xo
By: Laura on January 3, 2013
at 3:01 pm
Wow. What production. So fine on the shawl. I think despite lessons, dvd, books, me and crochet are not going to get on. But I can knit!
By: Jill. on January 3, 2013
at 5:06 pm
Those shawls are beautiful – the lacy bits look quite complicated though. As I write I am sitting in bed swathed in shawls and browsing Ravely for some crochet-shawl inspiration – I don’t believe you can have too many shawls – I find so many uses for them – book rests, cushions, draped over my chair to make the back rest more comfy. And I agree, knitting is the most rewarding, useful and relaxing hobby. Judy.
By: judyhamid on January 3, 2013
at 5:22 pm
Love the tea cosy!
By: belleab31 on January 3, 2013
at 6:46 pm
I just love the tea cosy, but the shwals are beautiful too…
By: Erna on January 3, 2013
at 7:58 pm
So incredibly lovely, Christine and you know I do think so! You have been a very busy bee and it must be so soothing to have this talent to take your mind off your troubles with such beautiful results. I love that Tilly tries to pull out the pins. The tea cozy is so adorable. Even though this is a lovely past time, I do hope you have less and less time to do it because the Dafter is feeling better. My wish for you! xx
By: Karen on January 3, 2013
at 8:56 pm
Fabulous!! I’m sure the recipients were absolutely delighted with such beautiful work! xx
By: Tina on January 3, 2013
at 8:59 pm
I’m a loose knitter too! I think your shawls are simply beautiful – quite inspiring, in fact.
By: Flora Alexander on January 3, 2013
at 9:52 pm
your tea cosy is just the cutest! how lovely for people to receive your handiwork … i think hand-made gifts are very nice.
By: ajb47 on January 3, 2013
at 11:25 pm
Beautiful shawls, I expect the recipiants were thrilled to receive them! I really love the tea cosy, I will have to save that one to my faves it will make a beautiful gift (for next Christmas)
Susan
By: brentwoodprop on January 3, 2013
at 11:48 pm
Hmmm she has taken this off the free list and I cannot work out how to get the pattern!!!
Never mind when I finish the long list for ‘things to do’ I will try and work it out for myself
By: brentwoodprop on January 4, 2013
at 12:06 am
Your skills are amazing, everything in this post is awe-inspiring to me but those shawls just look incredible, especially the Cleome one with the lacy bits, I have absolutely no idea how you achieved that.
By: tearoomdelights on January 4, 2013
at 8:53 am
Oh, I love the ruffledly layers of that. It looks great. How blessed you are to have such a productive hobby.
By: Relyn on January 4, 2013
at 12:49 pm
I completly relate to the therapuetic qualities of knitting
Your work is really amazing! What lucky friends and family you have 
I bet they all look forward to Christmas! Our cat likes flicking off my blocking pins too! Wishing you all a very happy New Year!
By: suzy on January 4, 2013
at 6:37 pm
Dearest Christine,
Coming from Karen’s post I come here to admire your beautiful knitting in ajoured lace work. You are blessed for being able to do this and it is good for body, mind and soul.
Hugs to you and may God bless you,
Mariette
By: mariettesbacktobasics on January 5, 2013
at 7:16 am
Thank you all for your very kind comments! If you happen to be on Ravelry, my username is “tefighe”.
Marie – I really hope that you enjoy knitting as much as I do. I love the fact that there are only two stitches to learn, knit and purl!
Heather – thank you for your lovely comments about the Dafter’s resilience. I admire her a lot.
Laura – thank you very much. A very happy new year to you and yours.
Jill – you may yet surprise yourself!
Judy – the Holden shawlette isn’t at all complicated, and Cleome is much less complicated than the finished effect. I agree with you, one can never have too many shawls.
belleab31 and Erna – thank you both!
Karen – thank you. I wouldn’t want less knitting time, but perhaps more relaxing knitting time as the Dafter gets better. I’d much rather be knitting and watching something I’m interested in on t.v. than knitting while keeping a very unwell person company. Thanks for your good wishes!
Tina and Flora – thank you!
ajb – not everyone appreciates hand-made gifts, but you get to know who does, and that generally includes other knitters!
Susan – the Holden Shawlette is still free on Ravelry, but it’s true that L Prior has taken the tea cosy off the free list. I have the pattern in The Knitter issue 2. Maybe you can find a secondhand copy – or buy it online too?
Lorna – yes, the Cleome shawl is an extremely effective pattern. As I said to Judy, the effect is far more complex than the knitting of it.
Relyn – thank you! Yes, I am blessed. Your photography is a pretty productive hobby, don’t you think?
Suzy – that is high praise coming from you, as your own creations are truly sumptuous. And you design them yourself! It’s interesting to hear that the blocking pins are as tempting to your cat as to mine. And a very happy new year to all of you!
Mariette – hello, I ‘know’ you from Karen’s blog! Thanks for stopping by and for your kind comment about the shawl. Yes, it is good for the soul. Bless you as well – a very happy new year.
By: christinelaennec on January 5, 2013
at 8:24 pm
Happy New Year Christine and family! Wow, your knitting is phenomenal! I’m afraid it takes second place to your daughter’s courage and positive attitude though – she’s amazing! I wondered if she, and you, would do me the honour of picking a colour for my social knitwork scarf? (Anyone else reading this is welcome too!). Knitting is definitely my therapy and this scarf gives me something to knit every single day
http://camberwellcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/social-knitwork-scarf-2013-please.html
By: Helen Pugh on January 5, 2013
at 11:28 pm
Dear Helen,
Thank you and I completely agree about the Dafter’s attitude and courage. She made a list of good things that had happened in 2012 and managed to fill up two sides of A4! I’ll come right over and pick out a colour for your ‘social knitwork scarf’.
By: christinelaennec on January 6, 2013
at 9:00 am
Wow, gorgeous knitting!!! The tea cosy is fabulous. So very British if I may say so.
By: Luciana on January 7, 2013
at 6:40 pm
Yes indeed – although the designer is from Australia. An empire outpost.
By: christinelaennec on January 7, 2013
at 8:53 pm
I LOVE to knit, but I’m not as adept at it as you are, Christine. I’m very, very slow at it. <3
By: Stacy on January 7, 2013
at 8:15 pm
I don’t think slowness or adeptness or any of the usual measures are important with knitting. It can be a brilliant meditation or prayer technique or mindfulness technique. Just keep on loving to knit!
By: christinelaennec on January 7, 2013
at 8:54 pm
Yes, meditation and prayer…I do find this in knitting. <3
By: Stacy on January 7, 2013
at 10:08 pm
Hi Christine, I absolutely love the Cleome Shawl, it’s gorgeous. I tried to purchase the pattern on Ravelry and wasn’t able to. Do you have it available anywhere else? I also love your blog, I am so glad I found it.
By: Christine on January 21, 2013
at 2:55 pm
Ahh, I see now that it is a pattern by Charlotte Walford. I still can’t find a place to purchase the pattern.
By: Christine on January 21, 2013
at 3:03 pm
Dear Christine,
First of all, welcome to my blog! I’m glad you like it.
Yes, the Cleome shawl is by Charlotte Walford. It’s in a booklet called “Manos Silk Blend Fino Book 1 by Artesano” which was published in the fall of 2012. I purchased it online, along with the wool (Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend Fino). It was so interesting to knit – I hope you can find the booklet and the wool. Also, Charlotte has a blog called “lottieknits”. I wish you luck with it!
By: christinelaennec on January 21, 2013
at 6:43 pm
Beautiful knits all but I am especially captivated by the Holden Shawlette. Going to investigate the pattern and add it to my queue!
By: purlpower on January 31, 2013
at 8:13 pm