Emerging into the New Year!

Well, that was fun.  Chaos, catch ups and Christmas.  Now, while so many in the blogging world are surrounded by snow and happily creating crocheted and knitted marvels in the cold weather, we are beating off the heat.  Bushfires and cicadas, iced drinks and cricket, shaded rooms and dashes outside to check on the frazzled garden.  This is Australia!

The heat can get ferocious, make no mistake.  Even on Christmas Day,. as we saw the forecast rise from a palatable 22 degrees C to well over 30 in our part of the world, we knew that the deck outside would be a no go zone.  Christmas was indoors for our heat sensitive family, and while it would have been lovely to meander in the garden, there were adequate compensations.

For one, it was my niece's first Christmas:

Here she is, being made into the family Christmas card, complete with a crocheted Santa hat.  I did get to sit with her on the front verandah later on Christmas Day, and it was beautiful - fifteen minutes with a contented little person on my lap, watching her peering around at the world, and having an occasional chatter in her own special language. 

She is lovely.  The New Year is wonderful.  I can't wait to see what it brings, and while a week in (it's my father's birthday today - Happy Birthday, Dad!), I wish everyone out there all the very best for 2015.  My resolutions and plans are somewhat amorphous at the moment (heat affected), but I certainly intend including plenty of crochet, writing and time with this lovely baby.

Stay cool - or warm - depending on your part of the world!

Lynda

Never too early

Yes, it is only July.  But it is the end of July near August, and that means it's time to start getting into Christmas.  Of course, I make no excuse for absolutely loving these little stockings (apart from the time I made around 30 in three days, which was ridiculous and should not be mentioned in polite company), whether they emerge from the 4 mm hook in rainbow colours, solid blocks, or simple stripes.

Why do I love them so much?  Well, they're cute.  And they're a 'wearable', with personality and shape, rather than being flat.

I've made them according to colour preferences, used up scraps of yarn (and have even developed a 'range' in kitchen cotton that is surprisingly quick to make), and employed my mother on trimming ends.  My sister has had me (and it looks like it will happen again this year) making them as part of a gift for her workplace, and I've used them myself as mini presents with a candy cane or lollies inside, as well as hanging them on a cord as bunting decoration.  In effect, they've become part of my annual Christmas story.

It's no secret among those who know me that - no matter what - I love Christmas.  So, these little stockings represent a sense of occasion, and hanging as they do in various spots throughout the year, help to extend an enjoyable shared time and create their own stories.

The original 'recipe', created by Le monde de Sucrette (and which can be found on her website) provided a great starting point, which I have adapted slightly since.  I can close the toe by weaving the starting yarn in and out.  I slip stitch the heel closed, rather than sewing it, in a definite time saver.  And, by typically doing single stripes, I don't need a stitch marker.  (I do, on that front, ensure that I start in a different place each round, so as to avoid a diagonal 'step' stripe from the stitch texture).

Some time ago, I also tried making a bigger version of this stocking, employing my dubious maths skills to perfection.  It worked well, but it wasn't quite the same.  No - these stockings are meant to be little gestures and symbols of a special time, and in that way, they work perfectly.  And, in recognition of that, I've already made two from scrap yarn this year, destined for Christmas 2014!