Hello my dears, I am back, as promised, to set us up for Advent 2020.
First of all, let's get up to date with the regulars. As it's just a couple of weeks since my last update, this will be very slim pickings. In fact, there's just one item in each category!
The Regulars
FO's
This is all the rage among knitters this year. Strings of tiny fairy lights, knitted into something that is half art work, half mood light.
As you can see, I just made a simple garter stitch square, but others have experimented with all kinds of interesting ideas, from lace patterns, to enormous crocheted light-up earrings!
There isn't really a pattern for this. I used an 85ft, 240 light string of warm white lights, cast on 35 stitches, on 7mm needles, and just kept knitting until I ran out of lights. I've then swapped out the needles I actually knit with, for a pair of 4mm bamboo needles, because I will possibly need to use the larger needles at some point, but I have literally no other use for some cheap 4mm straights, when I have countless 4mm tips for my interchangeables.
WIP's
If you read my last update, you'll know that I had a terminal falling out with my original design for my youngest niece's blanket. All of the squares that I'd made have been put away to sew together later into a dog blanket.
As soon as I'd made the decision not to continue with the many squares sewn together design, I felt so much better! Even the most experienced knitter will still make mistakes, including terrible errors of judgement!
I decided on a simple chevron design for my second attempt, and as you can see, it's going much, much better!
The yarn is still Rico Design Baby So Soft DK, in the colourways 001, 007, and 015.
The pattern is based on Chevron Baby Blanket, by Espace Tricot.
Stash Acquisition
It's winter, so it's impossible to get decent light conditions for photographing the true beauty of the colours in yarn. This photo with flash is the best I can do, but I promise you, it doesn't do justice to how gorgeous this colourway is!
I first saw it shared on Instagram a few months ago, but couldn't afford it. I couldn't get it out of my head though, which is always a sign that it's worth investing in.
This is "Gothic Rose", on a sparkle sock base, by Felt Fusion.
Finn
He's too cute, so you get more photos of him.
My baby giving me cuddles.
After an exciting afternoon trying to steal the stockings, and baubles while I was decorating the tree, Finn has finally decided that it's ok to settle down in the sofa, so he's curled up for a snooze between us. This is his favourite place to be, unless there is food somewhere else anyway!
Penguins!
If he find's out I've done this, he'll not be happy! But my misunderstood Dutch friend would have the world believe that he's crass, and laddish, when I know that underneath that prickly exterior, he's the sweetest, and loveliest friend. He has sent me a number of lovely care packages over the years, including yarn, and penguins, and a lot of tea. This one arrived without warning shortly after I published my last update. So I'm now fully stocked with my favourite Mint tea, and the colony has 2 new members.
Advent Calendars
I don't know if you remember last year's advent collection, but it was much larger than this! I decided this year that I'd taken the concept too far last year, so I've kept the selection a bit more reasonable this year.
Yarn calendars first! This is my 2020 Made by Penguins calendar. Like most yarn advents, I had to order this back in July to be sure that Lisa had time to dye all of the mini-skeins needed. Made by Penguins has the added advantage that you can pay in instalments, spreading the cost a bit. In fact, I've already ordered my 2021 calendar, as for next year the cost is spread over 10 months, instead of just 4!
This year's calendar also came with a 50g skein, and a hand-made project bag. I've put those under my tree for Christmas day.
With added klepto-dog, carrying one of my shoes, this collection of little drawstring pouches is my Mothy and the Squid advent calendar.
I hadn't intended on getting more than one yarn advent this year, but then I had the option of getting the 10g version of this. Since we're all assured that there is no naughty list this year, I think it's entirely reasonable for me to have 2 yarn advents! It's still fewer than last year!
We always have to have a chocolate advent, and Lindt is my favourite. There are several different options just from Lindt this year! But I stuck to the same version that we usually get. Stephen and I have one of these each.
Finn has to have an advent calendar too! Last year I bought his from Amazon, but I'm trying to buy from local shops where possible, even local franchises of large chains is better than putting the money into the pockets of Mr Bezos.
So Finn's advent came from Pet's at Home. Not that he'll mind where it came from, as long as he gets his daily treat! He got used to that very quickly last year!
I was really very surprised to find that the T2 loose leaf advent calendar is heaper than the Bird and Blend teabag advent calendar this year. Significantly so. Enough that with the price, and the fact that it's loose leaf, which I prefer, I chose to buy from the larger Australian business, than from the little British business.
The advantage of this being loose leaf is that Stephen and I can share this, by making a pot of tea from each sachet.
Last year I discovered Advent of Change, which is a charity advent calendar. You can buy an online version which doesn't even use any paper, but as it is recyclable, I like to have the little doors to open each day.
The cost of the calendar includes a 50p donation to each of the 24 charities listed on the calendar, Each day, one charity will reveal how our donation could be used.
This year you can also buy a few other items, such as eco-friendly crackers, made only paper and cardboard, and instead of a plastic toy, there is information about the charity that you've helped by buying these crackers.
That's all there is! I'm planning on spending less on gifts to people who already have basically everything they need this year too. My friends and family know I love them (At least I hope they do!) I'm sure that most of them would rather I gave to people who need the money, than gifted them another possession that they don't need.
Tomorrow I'll be back with the first post of advent, so until then, sweet dreams, and stay safe.
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