Cuddly-Cute Crochet Ripple Blankets

Last fall, a friend commissioned me to make Christmas presents for her two little ones. The result: two cuddly-cute blankets in the kiddos' favorite colors.

I miraculously finished both before Christmas, and our friend sent sweet photos not long after to show us how the kids were enjoying the blanket. I love knowing that these blankets are being smothered in sticky popcorn-butter hands while the kids watch movies. (Thank goodness they're washable.)

Crochet Mermaid Tail Blanket

Yes, I'm still posting Christmas gift photos. There were just so many! This one was a crochet mermaid tail blanket for my 4 year-old niece, Kinsley.

You may remember that I made a shark blanket for my nephew, Carson. This is the shark blanket's much gentler counterpart. No bloody teeth here!

Download a FREE eGuide to Sock Knitting

It's no secret: I've been knitting a lot of socks over the past year or so. My sock-knitting obsession is officially out in the open now, thanks to Craftsy's FREE Success with Sock Knitting e-Guide that features my tips and rambling about how much I love knitting socks. (There are also tips and tutorials from my fellow Craftsy contributor Emily Vanek.) 

Download the guide here to get tips on everything from toe styles to heel styles, plus tips and tricks to help you out along the way. Oh, and there's plenty of sock eye candy if you're into that sort of thing. I know I am.

Coffee and Cables: Knit Cable Hats (Cable Eye Candy Ahead)

Cable eye candy! Back in the fall, I checked out a Rowan Yarn Tasting at one of my LYSs, The Knitting Diva. I entered the raffle, and a few days later I got a call that I had won a skein of a new Rowan  yarn. (Yes, I definitely squealed on the phone. I have no shame.)

The Rowan yarn that I won came with a pattern, and Alex was flipping out over it. With just one skein of  yarn I was able to make a hat for him and a pair of gloves for another friend. (More on the gloves later.)

Pattern: Vermeer Hat & Gloves Pattern by Rowan (FREE download)

Yarn: Rowan Pure Wool Superwash in Toffee

Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted in Teal

Waterspout Knit Lace Shawl

A few weeks ago when we had 14" of snow, giving me the chance to finish this pretty shawl.

The photo above is actually a double-DIY, since I'm wearing my Colette Moneta Dress with the shawl. It's a super comfy knit dress that I made using fabric my mom gave me and the serger Alex bought me for my birthday. (More on that later!)

Anyway, back to the Waterspout Shawl.

Doctor Who TARDIS Knit Socks

At long last, I present Alex's Christmas socks! Alex is a huge Doctor Who fan (his favorite doctor goes back and forth between Smith and Tennant), and I managed to keep these a secret until Christmas. Everyone -- especially the people at my stitch groups -- knew about the socks except for Alex. I don't know how I pulled it off!

Pattern: FREE Police Box Sox by Audry Nicklin on Ravelry

Yarn: Schachenmayr Regia Trendpoint 6615 Blue, plus scraps of fingering-weight white and black yarn

The pattern was well-written. The colorwork was a pain in the butt, but once you get past that part, you'll fly right through it.