Christmas in July Continued

One more stocking finished. I'm calling these finished but I think I'm going to have to line them. There are all those stranded threads inside that stocking stuffers will get caught on. Also have to cross stitch the names on them as soon as I decide who gets which one.

These stockings have been great practice for Fair Isle knitting, and also sock knitting - especially since I only had to make one of each and not a pair!

Christmas in July

I actually finished something! Two somethings actually. These were so much fun to do. (see the details in my previous post.) I have one more to make and then I'll have the grandchildren done. Then, maybe some smaller ones for the adults.

Just finished a book by an author I haven't read before - Richard Montanari, titled The Rosary Girls. Quite gory, but a real page turner that kept me guessing until the end. I ordered the second in the series, The Skin Gods.

Christmas in July

I've been in a knitting slump recently, but then was inspired by these Christmas stockings on the Holiday Mystery Gift-along. You have to join the Yahoo group to get the patterns, but it's a fun group, and there is also a crochet version of the Christmas stockings. Terry, the designer of the knit stockings, and her husband quit their jobs, sold everything, and now live aboard their 50 foot Gulfstar Sailmaster and cruise wherever their vagabond spirits take them! You can read about their adventures on her blog. Terry is an avid knitter and designer and very generously shares some of her designs with her Yahoo Group.

This one is the textured stocking with a snowflake motif and a tree motif done so far. It's really not hard - just follow a chart with knits and purls. The heel might prove to be a little challenging if you have never knit socks before.
This one is the stranded version, with the tree motif and the deer motif done so far.


These stockings are addictive. While I'm knitting one I find myself thinking about which one I'll be knitting next. I'd like to make at least one for each grandchild, and then maybe for the rest of the family.
I've got plenty of yarn (thanks to Roni) and I'm having a lot of fun with this.
I'm still plugging away on my feather and fan shawl. Finished reading Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish, which I loved and would definitely recommend, and I'm now reading P.D. James, The Private Patient, which I am also enjoying. Both of those books are selections from my Whoduknit Group.
Hope you are all staying cool and enjoying your summer!