Handmade Holidays

Handmade holidays in July?  Yes.  I promised myself a long time ago that if I was going to give hand knit gifts, I wouldn't wait to begin until two weeks before the gift giving day.

I promised myself, because one winter I knit 23 pairs of slippers in 14 days.  It was my last year in college.  It was the brief period of time when I hadn't quite recovered from the insanity of cramming for finals and the warm nostalgia of family traditions.  Add to the mix a husband, a six year old, and a one year old; clearly, the lack of sleep effected my common sense.  I haven't knit a slipper since.  Maybe it's time to try again.  Maybe next week.

This week, to kick things off, I decided to start with a small project. (It's 90 some degrees, after all.)  The Mira Sweater for my niece, who just turned two.  It's a really fast, easy knit and I love the buttons my oldest son, Jake, made for me.  I also made a few changes from my original pattern.  You can find all the notes over on Ravelry.



Have you started any holiday making?  Feel free to share a link in the comments.



17 comments

  1. That is a lot of slippers!
    Yes, I started my holiday knitting in January so I would be finished in time this year. Now I just need to stop adding to my list!

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  2. Oh my, this is so beautiful! What a lovely gift.
    I must start making my gifts too.
    Wow, you knitted a lot of slippers in such a short time!

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  3. So cute! You are so wise to get such a head start. Every yeae I say this is the year I'm not waiting til December (or November at best) to get started. And every year I'm disappointed because there's no way I can get all my hand mades finished. Perhaps I should take your lead. :) And it's beautiful, btw!

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    1. I know exactly how you feel, Julie. I always have the grandest of intentions, but even starting now, there's no way to knit everyone something and keep up with Luke's sweater demands;)

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  4. Oh I have been thinking about this lots and will be joining you soon. I love the buttons your son made.

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    1. Thanks, Tonya. I hope I can convince him to make more, I really love them.

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  6. I'm joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along today. Hop on over and check out all the knitterly inspiration.
    http://www.gsheller.com/2012/07/yarn-along-87.html

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  7. What a beautiful sweater! I love the stripes and buttons.
    23 pairs of slippers in 14 days. That is amazing :)

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  8. I love this little sweater! I am inspired by you getting a start on your handmade holiday. I am always last minute too, but I always have plans to get ahead. Summer is just so busy! Those buttons are beautiful.

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  9. The sweater looks lovely. I like the colors you chose. You are smart to start your Christmas knitting now. I have done the same.

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  10. What a beautiful little sweater! And the handmade buttons just finish it off perfectly!

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  11. Pretty sweater! I make that promise every year and craft until my fingers fall every year too. I did, however, made this year's first Christmas present today. The first present is always for my baby sister. I made her a beaded bracelet and plan to make matching earrings later in the week. Good luck on you head star!!

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  12. That sweater took my breath away! I love the colours you chose. Beautiful work, friend!

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  13. Sweater is very nice, but buttons- are great!

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  14. That is a beautiful sweater. I have managed just two winter hats so far...and quite frankly, they probably won't even make it to the holidays but I am counting them anyways. After my holidays next week, I plan to put holiday home-made making into top gear.

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