- December 12, 2025
- 13 Comments
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah! We are feeling calm and cozy and all set for the big day and hope you are feeling the same way. My husband and I have had a few gatherings at our house this December which we enjoyed, but did not do too much nor do too many as to run ourselves ragged. We've not eaten too terribly much and have generally kept pretty well to a budget and did not go crazy on spending, so all's well at the Knitionary abode. Still, I cannot believe Christmas is just a few days away. This particular December came whooshing through very quickly for me. Do you feel the same? Please come on in and see what we've been up to and visit our holiday home.
- December 21, 2024
- 15 Comments
Christmas sweaters make me smile. They bring back feelings of nostalgia and the spirit of self expression and a general feeling of winter coziness. I'm old enough to remember that ugly Christmas sweaters were never intended to be ugly, but rather playful and lighthearted. Then I'll admit, they did get ugly and actually pretty funny and the ugly sweater became fashionable for a hot minute. Now the ugly is out and the pretty is in. I've picked some beauties for you--see if you don't agree. Most of these sweaters can be worn all winter, not just in December. All are knit top down with two color stranded work unless noted. Ravelry links are included. At the end I have a favorite Christmas sweater story straight from the 80s. Also, let me know if I missed any of your favorites.
- December 01, 2024
- 17 Comments
Over the summer I took the most fun class at my lys, Uncommon Threads, with Arne and Carlos--"How to Knit a Christmas Ball." Knitting a small ball in the round required using 4 double pointed needles and while I do not like working with dpns, I was really dying to meet these two colorful fellas in person, so I signed up for what I was hoping would be the easiest class. I am so glad I did because not only are these men kind, talented, and engaging, they were also highly entertaining and made the atmosphere so warm and friendly. They are both natural teachers, and while I felt all fiddle fingery balancing 4 needles, actually 5, they encouraged me to knit in a style that suited me. They have traveled around the world enough to see the different techniques and styles for knitting and really encouraged us knitters to practice our own best technique and that may be quite different from the knitter next to you. Freedom!
- September 21, 2024
- 8 Comments
Why is it that in the hottest days of summer I start to dream about jingle bells and frosty snowman and all that is wintry and Christmasy? If you are a knitter and crafter then I imagine your Christmas craft timer has sounded off its alarm too, so please come on in and see the absolutely adorable things I've got planned to make for the holidays. I'll divide them into three groups: the Already Made Department (as in finished in July), the Almost Finished Category (will finish this month), and those projects on my Wishful Thinking List.
- August 18, 2024
- 10 Comments
I'm popping in for a quick post to share some knitting and baking inspiration and to wish you happy holidays! I've got two obsessions on the needles right now, the new Yule Do, above from Isabel Kraemer. I love the Christmas trees, dreidels and swags of garland and as soon as I saw it I had to drop everything and cast on. When the colorwork yoke was over, I was actually having fun and not quite ready to be done with colorwork, so felt compelled to cast on for another stranded design below, Sunset Highway by Caitlin Hunter. I've owned this pattern for a few years and always wanted to make it. I even had the perfect yarn in my stash.
- December 23, 2023
- 7 Comments
Good morning! Last week, when I began to decorate our house for Christmas, I decided to check out what I did last year. I looked at this blog post and decided I loved it and did my best to recreate it. Have you ever done that? It sure makes decisions easy, especially when you decorate every room in the house. This year I bought a few new decor items, and anything that I left behind in the boxes I decided to donate. My motto for Christmas this year and moving forward is: If I don't use it, pass it on. On that note, I'm dropping off a big bag of Christmas crafts to Carter's classroom today. His teacher loves me!
- December 08, 2023
- 13 Comments
I was hoping to come back today and share my Thanksgiving table, but our plans have changed for tomorrow and I'm instead going to show you my jumbled ornament table, share a fantastic recipe, give some decluttering inspiration, thoughts about careful holiday spending, and more. But first, just look at that table! I'm only putting up one tree this year and so will try to see if I can fit ALL my ornaments on my modestly sized 7' living room tree. Do you think I can do it? My husband is doubtful. I'll find out soon and be sure to let you know, but first...
- November 22, 2023
- 4 Comments
Hello! I'm here to alert you to a new sale this morning from my favorite yarn company, Rowan. The last time they had a sale this good I purchased my Christmas presents and then told my husband that he was off the hook for shopping for me. I have all the shopping links for you below. Prepare yourself for some breathtakingly beautiful yarn at 40%-50% off.
- December 26, 2022
- 4 Comments
A few weeks ago several bloggers that I follow made a post called "Hometown Traditions" and I found it so interesting to see how other towns and villages celebrate Christmas and the holidays. I live in Los Altos in Northern California and my hometown is brimming with traditions from tree lightings to fun runs. Want to see the traditions we enjoy?
- December 18, 2022
- 4 Comments
Since we are hosting three Christmas parties at our house this December, my first reaction was to go all out with the decorations this year, but then again, when we host parties I like to clear the surfaces to give people room to rest their glasses and just...room to spread out and breathe! I love a crowded party with noisy guests and clinking glasses, but there's that sweet spot that you've got to maintain where every guest can find a place to perch and rest their glass. Too many Christmas decorations won't let that happen. My house already has so much going on with an entire wall of bookcases, which can be visually overwhelming if I'm not careful, so what's a gal to do?
- December 13, 2022
- 16 Comments
Every December I am compelled to make tiny people out of wooden peg doll blanks. Of all my compulsions, it's probably my nicest because it's a fun one! Last year I made elves and the year before that, angels. I already know what I'm going to make next year, but let's talk about this year, because this year I made a wee army of Santas. These little fellas would bring a smile to even the Grinch's face and while you may get a little glue on your fingers and some glitter on your cheeks (that will seem to never go away) they are super fun to make and will give you a few hours of creative fun. They are meant to be used as gift tie-ons or tree ornaments.
- December 02, 2022
- 12 Comments
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