Winter Wonderland Tree Skirt

Drum roll please. Perhape even some fireworks .... a job is DONE! I thought before I set off making all sorts of things with my wool 'bits', I had better first determine whether they were in fact 'leftover bits' or wool I still needed for the myriad projects on the go. So first up in the pile of projects, this Christmas Tree skirt.

The Big Knit ... count me in!

Image via WikipediaMy friend Lynn's blog yesterday alerted me to a great craft cause that I didn't know about. The Big Knit for Age UK. These are my first three little hats, but I hope to make several more and get a few more folks involved too. This is a terrific program.

A fruit drink company in the UK (innocent ltd) is soliciting these little hats for their 250ml bottles; for every behatted bottle sold they make a donation to Age Action to help seniors at risk due to the cold. You can click on the photo below for more information when it becomes available.

Think of the awareness created when folks see these little woolen hats on rows of fruit drinks. I wish we had something like this here in Canada.

Some of the creations that folks have come up with in the past are simply amazing. There are prizes too! I shall not be looking for a prize. I'm sure Lynn will do some amazing things (already talking sock puppet adaptation) but I shall be sticking very close to the basics. My challenge for myself will be to make no two exactly alike - but don't get too excited folks, I'm talking colours not stitches.

Click on the photo to see Hat of the Week
winners from past years on the innocent drinks blog.

This year's goal is 650,000, but you've got until October, so get knitting!

Revisions to the Pattern with Blue & Silver

Having made a few now for experimentation, I've got a few things sorted out. The 'pattern' I had been following called for 14 chain - 15 beads with chain in between (29) - 14 chain. The length is perfect, but I'm happier with the ballance at 11 chain - 18 beads with chain in between (35) - 11 chain.

Going Gold ... and the Too Much Lesson

This one is a little larger than the others I've made. I'm happy with how it has turned out, but getting there was a bit of a struggle. This one it seems was my lesson in going too far. I find these lessons very helpful - at least this is how I justify it, as it is a very common occurrence for me.

Lady in Red ... Wire Necklace

The fun continues with the wire crochet necklaces. Turns out I had been using a heavier wire (24 guage) than the one featured in the youtube video I watched (26 or 28 guage), but I have now adjusted the needle size up to accommodate, and I think things will work out nicely.

Crochet Necklace: Greens & Gold

This is my second go at the crocheted wire necklace. I am indeed a fan of this concept from Auntie's Beads.

Crochet Wire & Beads Necklace

When I'm excited to try something new, patience isn't exactly a strong point. So, about a minute into a youtube video on crocheting with wire and beads to make a necklace, I was off into the craft room to find any wire I could, any crochet hook I could, and some beads to play along.

Spring Bouquet of Greeting Cards

Finally, some nice weather! And a surprise too as they were predicting the umpteenth day of rain. Much has sprouted up in the garden the last few days and the green is super vibrant when you get to see it against a blue sky! Sooooo pretty!