Emptyknitster

Another wonderful Christmas is in the books. We missed the California Family this year but the ballerina was busy performing in not one but two Nutcracker ballets. She was Mother Ginger in her school's performance and King Mouse with the Oakland Ballet Company. She spent several days  including Christmas Eve dancing. The Chick came into town on Wednesday and we planned out meals and did the shopping. (What a great help) I was pleased when she wanted to get yarn to knit a baby sweater. There isn't a more satisfying way to spend a snowy holiday than to cuddle up and work on knitting. The NorDak Family arrive Friday and we decided with all the decorating I had done around the house previously, we could forgo having a tree this year in order to have kittens who didn't electrocute themselves! I was relieved to have SadieLou around to make Chex Mix and decorate cookies.   We enjoyed putting puzzles together, playing cards and renew an interest in Mexican Train Domino...

We were going to renew a tradition and meet the WyomingCowboy Family to go skiing on Christmas Eve. There would be a new generation going for the first time and when we planned it, the trip sounded like a great idea. The youngest member of the WyomingCowboy Family, little Kynlee, was visiting from Reno and I thought she could use an Elf hat to keep her warm on the slopes. My best stranded knitting yet! Pattern: Norwegian Star Earflap Hat by Tiennie Yarn: Cascade Yarns, Pacific Colorway: Red and Cream Needle Size: US 8 But alas, plans fell through - the weather was just to cold for this family to brave a day of skiing. The WyomingCowboy Family went without us and were quite proud of themselves. Despite the weather they skied for an hour and a half.  Polly thought the pompom was pretty special, grrrr!

 I’m already thinking of Christmas 2018. For Christmas’ 2015 - 2017 I’ve knit the Bunco Gals little ornaments, Christmas stockings, hat and mittens, and a sweater for their trees. They seem to love them and I'd like to continue the tradition but I've knit all the usual tree ornaments and I’m not sure what to knit for next Christmas. I thought maybe a gnome could be cute and found this pattern. It’s crocheted so the gnomes would make up quickly. But in the end, although the little gnome is cute, he’s to big to hang on a tree.  Pattern: Christmas Gnome by Liesbeth Braam Yarn: Rauma Finuligarn Colorways: Dark Olive and Burgundy Needle Size: D I’ll continue my search for that perfect little gnome, I do have a year!