Kay's Korner - A Knitters Notes

December 4, 2007

As we prioritize our holiday knitting, you may find that there is still time to put some festive touches on your home decor. Knitted Christmas tree skirts are always popular, many of them put to use year after year. Although they can be an easy project since most of the trim is usually applied after knitting (think sequins, felt, ribbon, and jingle bells), the base skirt is time consuming. So many increases to create that flowing little skirt! Another popular holiday project is a Christmas stocking. Stockings can be made to any size and are easily personalized, although this does not limit us to intarsia to put names on each piece. By using the recipient's favorite colors or adding purchased trim that shouts personality, it can be fun to use our imaginations.

Other holiday decorating ideas are throws, placemats, and table runners. As all of these are basic rectangles, this is an opportunity to be creative and stretch your skills. Both machine and needle felting are good choices for these table toppers. Again, purchased trim will festively transform your basic shapes, leaving you time for shopping and other holiday activities.

Although I avoid knitting Christmas theme sweaters, not wanting to limit my wearing of a handmade item to a few weeks every year, sweaters made with metallic yarns used either as a main color or a trim can be worn to any affair from business casual to black tie. Metallic yarns are again huge this year, silver most prominently, but my personal favorite is copper. The most elegant holiday outfit I have ever seen was a sweater set with beaded trim worn with a satin ballgown skirt. That gorgeous cashmere twin set could also be worn with velvet pants or with some great fitting jeans and heels. In fact, I copied my friend's idea with a beaded angora twin set and satin evening skirt, making it easy to pull off a quick 3 a.m.change to slacks for a morning after breakfast on New Years.

Kay's needles are busy this week paring down a holiday project list. Doug's Big Wave is a richly textured scarf with a surprise; it is incredibly soft! Queensland Collections Big Wave is a blend of 90% wool, 10% cashmere in beautiful variegated colorways. At 3 stitches to 1 inch, it makes a quick knit, easily finished for a last minute gift.

This Saturday, December 8 at 10:00 a.m., the Suwanee Knitwhits and the Prayer Shawl Ministry from Sugarloaf United Methodist Church are getting together to celebrate the season at the Rare Purls Knitterie in Duluth, Georgia. Both groups are prolific charity knitters and we are proud to host them on this occasion. For information on either of these organizations, feel free to contact me. kmather@rarepurls.net

Finally, I am working up the schedule of classes and workshops for winter '08. Is there a project you would like to tackle that you think others would enjoy? Have you been wanting to learn how to work cables, needle felt, or any other knitting technique? A workshop is a fun, practical, and economical way to explore the needle arts. By taking a workshop, supplies can be bought in quantity, instruction time is well utilized, and expenses are shared. Our '08 schedule will include sock knitting, felted handbags, lace stitch stoles, and many other projects. If you have a suggestion for a workshop or class, let me know. Your input is aways appreciated.

Copyright 2007 Karen Mather