Some knitting, some gifting, and some serious rug hooking student bragging.

December is traditionally a crazy-making month for me, but this year, I cut back on many things. No more pyjama pants. Only two pairs of socks and a simple headband.

But what would December be without cramming in just one more project in time for gift giving. My 5th version of The Shift is ready to be gifted tonight. And I got it done in 5 days, start to finish! It is from stash yarn so cost nothing other than my time. The giftee commented on the one I was wearing last Friday, and jokingly said "Will you make me one?" She is the kind of person who will not only be shocked that I did, but will love it every time she wears it. The best recipient of all.

Yarn for a 6th is already wound and ready to go. It is for me. I just love them. They keep my neck and shoulders warm without the work of a sweater. 

With that off the needles, I got to return to a sweater in progress. Pattern is called Sipila and you can find it here   I am doing the short-sleeved version. Gives me the option to put a long-sleeved tee underneath, without it being too warm. Now that the stranded work is done, it's just straight knitting for 12", then some ribbing and then the sleeves.

In the middle of this making, I received two images of finished pieces from students at two different workshops. The first one is from someone who took my "Initials" class at Trent this year - it was just a two-day class and she found an interesting way to do a lot with the letter P. Both she and her husband are P people, so this pillow is perfect.

This next piece was done at the Cobourg Hook-in at the end of October. I inherited a "Doodle class" from another teacher who had some serious surgery a bit earlier. It was a great class and I am sure everyone's pieces are spectacular. This one surely is. There is a lot going on in this piece, but the motifs and the careful colour planning have created an intriguing piece that would change every time you looked at it from another angle. It is a gift for a very lucky person. 

I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday - no matter what you celebrate. May it be filled with family and traditions. We will be watching our 6-year old grandson and 2-year old grand daughter on Christmas morning. It will be carnage of the best kind. Christmas is so much more fun through the eyes of a child, or two.

See you in the shiny new year ahead. And thanks for following along.