Christmas Sweater Mission - 50% Complete!

My 5 year old loves her sweater now that she can get it over her head!

First, I unraveled the neck band. Next, I picked up as many stitches as I could, 78 in all and knit a K1P1 rib. Once it was as long as I wanted, I bound off with the aid of my trusty crochet hook :)

In all, I believe the project took me around 5 hours as I was often interrupted but didn't worry about losing my place... Now it is on to the green sweater for my 2 1/2 year old, who is not convinced though she sees her sisters wearing theirs. I am afraid I traumatized her a bit Christmas morning trying to get the sweater over her head!

The Christmas Sweaters

My mother, bless her, knit a sweater for each of my three daughters and was late coming over to our house yesterday because she was finishing them up. The sweaters are lovely with cables but sadly only my oldest could get hers over her head. My mother was mortified and I was dismayed, though my daughters quickly got over it. So, I rec'd the leftover yarn and discussion between myself, mom and my grandmother yielded a plan which would involve me steeking a small opening in the back and the installation of a button. However, upon further inspection of the sweaters it seems to me that it would be far less risky to just unravel the neck band and re-do it with more stretch. It won't be exactly like the original band but it will be close enough and more importantly, my daughters will be able to wear the sweaters my mom worked so hard on!
So now all I need to do is find out what size needle my mom used. I will be documenting my progress step by step and include pictures, of course! I am a knitter on a mission baby!

Success! Stocking #5 is done :)

I'm so happy with how the stockings turned out! Now there is only one item I need to finish for Christmas and then I can start on something just for me :)

We interrupt this knitting blog...

...to bring you a cookie recipe!

Sometimes, simplicity really is best. Here is my current favorite butter cookie recipe which I found on the side of a bottle of McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract:

Cream together 1 cup of butter and 1 cup of sugar until fluffy
Add 1 egg and beat well
Add 1 TB Vanilla and blend

In a separate bowl combine...
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
Add to the creamed mixture

Spoon dough onto cookie sheets (I line mine with parchment) and bake for approx. 10-12 minutes in a 350 F degree oven. Makes around 3 dozen depending on the size of the scoop/spoon :)

I'm a little stressed!

So we are getting down to the wire... I still don't know for sure if my Mom (plus her husband) and grandmother are coming to my house for Christmas. I finished something for my mom (can't say what in case she sees the blog before the 25th) and I wanted to make something else to go with it but I am afraid I don't have enough time! Plus, I am ridiculously close to finishing my Christmas stocking but a cookie baking marathon (for teacher gifts) is keeping me from my knitting!

FO: Christmas is coming and Stocking #4 is DONE!

stocking4
Originally uploaded by pudmuddles.

This was a really quick knit and I love how it has turned out! This stocking is probably for my 2 year old so that means there is only one stocking left to make (mine). I hope to cast on tonight... but we'll see...

FO: Christmas Stocking #3 (2 more to go)

stocking3
Originally uploaded by pudmuddles.

This one is done in blues and pink. My daughter requested purple but I don't currently have any purple so this is the best I could come up with. I told her if she didn't like it, I could give it to her little sister and knit her a different one. She of course said, "No, I like it." High praise indeed! LOL!