24 Socks and Mittens

Here they are done at last. All the socks, mittens and hanging loops are now complete and the cord has been finished today - alas it was not complete before Christmas as an injury prevented this. Still I am well ahead of schedule for next year :-)

Stripes and Spots

Nearly there - here is the last of the stripy socks and the first spotty one. I am pleased to report that all the socks have been completed since this photograph was taken - the spotty one above took some doing in order to get the spots correct after shaping the heel - I changed the pattern as I didn't think the spots fell properly so that took a few attempts until I was happy.
I have also completed all the hanging loops but need to do the cord now - just started but it needs to be 59ins long - seems a funny number why not 60??
Ok must get back to it so that it is completed before the 24th - a day when I can start another project, yes?
ps. Just read the pattern - apparently the cord needs to be 150cm which is 59" - completely glossed over the metric stuff :-)

And now for some socks

All the mittens are now finished and here is the first batch of socks. Still got another 5 to knit. Hopefully these will be done before the 24th!!!

Not managed to finish off the Father Christmas I made last week as I am really trying to finish off these socks. Honest, I am.

And even more mitts

Here are another two mittens for the advent calendar - how long have I got before it has to be done? Perhaps best not ask that. All the mittens are now done and three socks, with another to sew up. Hmm could be a late night tonight :-(
This afternoon I went to a sewing class to make a Father Christmas but it was dark by the time I got back so no chance for a photograph, but you can probably find him on Facebook if you know where to look. He still needs a few tiny things doing to complete him but he should be already for next week's post.
Also got a second Christmas cake in the oven at the moment and I am planning to finish making some Christmas cards tonight so in all a day spent predominantly on Christmas projects.
Ok enough of this as I ought to press ahead with the advent calendar before it is consigned to the corner by the sofa as a project for next year :-)

Goodies

Friday saw the annual day out to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Harrogate. A lovely day was enjoyed by 7 ladies - some 'old' showgoers, some new. We had a fabulous time shopping, chatting and eating.

I think I am right in saying everyone purchased something - some far more than others and there were various reasons for justifying said purchases - they are presents (that old story), I NEED it, I got approval from the board and we have to have something to keep us busy for a whole year until the next Harrogate outing. Don't we?

Here are my purchases, just two - quite restrained I think but then I did spend quite a large budget earlier in the week!!!!

I can't wait to start the knitting - not sure you can see it very well on this photograph. I love the vintage pattern and even better - it came with a free bag. You know me - I LOVE bags of all sorts :-)

I ought to be doing something useful as I can hear activity in the kitchen and I feel a tiny bit guilty, only a tiny bit though. But it is still the weekend so maybe  I should just go and knit some more mitts - another 2 done since yesterday's post :-)

Mitts, Mitts and More Mitts

Ok, ok, I know I have been absent for a while but I have been busy - doing lots of lovely things with family and friends. But I have managed to find time to make a few more mittens for the advent calendar and here they are. Still got more to do and all the socks to start. Must get back to it I suppose.
Yesterday was a day at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate - some nice purchases made - more of those later.

Poll Project

The results of the Christmas Project Poll were in favour of the Advent banner, so a couple of weeks ago I made a start with the mittens. Here are the first and only three so might have to up production a little to get them ready in time.
Other work has been done for Christmas - 24 cards made and written!!! And another batch started. Also made a Christmas cake today which has been out of the oven about half an hour - fingers crossed it is ok. I have made some toffee as well from my Grandma's recipe book, which a  bit like the technical challenges on the Great British Bake Off- ingredients and no recipe. It looks ok but the tiny bits from the edge I have eaten are far more crunchy than when my Grandma made it :-( Might have to have another go sometime.
Ok must go now and press on with the mittens.