Mittens for Rachel

One of the problems with being a crafty sort of person is that I default to making people stuff if I'm not sure what else they might like. I was kind of stuck for Rachel this year, so I started making her these mittens. Then I thought, "Man, why am I doing this? Maybe Rachel already has a million pairs of mittens! Maybe she doesn't need another pair!" So I sent her an email saying, basically, "I love you and want to make you something but don't know what that might be. Ideas? And sorry for being so blunt and pragmatic." She emailed back saying, basically, "No problem, lady, I love you too, and I could really use a pair of purple/mauve mittens." At which point I thought: this is why we're such good friends. Even when I don't know what to make for her, I'm still making the right thing. She didn't get these until her birthday party after Christmas, but they match her new scarf and hat perfectly - as if they'd been made purposely for each other. Note to self: do not question the knitting mojo. It works in mysterious and wonderful ways.
Pattern: adapted from Knitty's Cigar Gloves
Yarn: Dream in Color "Classy" in "Midnight Derby;" Noro Hakuto

Socks for Bri 2010

Bri seems to appreciate getting hand-knit socks from me, which makes for an easy gift for him. I wasn't sure if these were going to get done, but they did, and a very manly sock they are too, I must say! I'm always worried that they'll be too big, and then they always fit just fine. I'll try to remember that for next time.
Pattern: the Yarn Harlot's Good, Plain Sock Recipe
Yarn: Online Supersocke 6-ply in "Desert" colourway

Handprints

This was a bit of a last-minute gift idea for my parents this year. Sarah had mentioned to me at some point the idea of incorporating kids' handprints in to a quilt, and it occurred to me that this would be the year to do it for my parents: Neva, at age 8, would still be young enough for her handprint to be cute, while Ewan, almost 2, would be old enough to actually produce a decent one. I contacted Bri about getting him to get his own kids' handprints on some fabric, and somehow it all came together. It was fun to make, and I incorporated the names of each of the kids in the stippling underneath each flower-hand. I think it's kind of neat to have this memento of my parents' six grandchildren: both Bri and I are done having kids, so this is the complete picture of the third generation. A tear or two was shed when this gift was opened on Christmas Day, and the kids were excited to find their own hands on the quilt. (From left to right: Miranda - age 4, Nicolaas - age 6, Ewan - 22 months, Neva - age 8, Hugh - age 6, and Rory - age 3.) Fun to make, fun to receive, and meaningful on all sides: a great gift for everyone involved.
Pattern: from my head, but similar ideas could be found in this book
Fabric: cottons from Fabricland and Quilt & Stitch in Kingston; fabric paint for handprints