All the Christmas packages have arrived, so I can show you this:

My So-Called Scarf

This is one of my favorite patterns because of it’s unique combination of interest and ease. I am not alone in this assessment, it has been made 3826 times by Ravelers. I can’t blame them. I used Lionbrand’s Landscapes (another favorite – I love the colors and the sort of felted feel) this time around. This colorway, Summer Fields, is so bright and cheery for winter. And so colorful it is bound to match something in your closet. I hope you enjoy it, Judi, and I forgot to say: don’t put it in the washing machine! It felts like a dream.

Yesterday was the last day for The Great Virtual Cookie Swap entries so I’ll do the prize drawing this afternoon. I’ll also be counting up participants to see if that boosts my Christmas score. It’s not looking good for me this year.

I do get an extra point for the ridiculously delicious potatoes that I made for Christmas dinner (I only used one stick of butter and six ounces of cream cheese and regular salt instead of season salt). There was barely a polite portion left in the serving dish. Santa won bonus points for Ellie’s Christmas* present selection: the Frog Launcher was an enormous hit.

Emily: 11 Christmas: 43 Santa: 10

Michael has the Christmas pictures in his Flickr. There is video but it isn’t edited yet. Or even imported. Maybe by New Year’s.

This little video has nothing to do with Christmas. That isn’t going to stop me from posting it to wish you all a very Happy Holiday.

Oh yes. A minute and a half of her giggling. About half way through she snorts. Heh.

All done!

I cheated and made his ears separately. After the Arm Frustration (it is hard to pick up stitches with his head in the way – it is probably easier if the knitter makes a reasonable yarn choice, which I did not), I just couldn’t take it any more.

His tail makes up for my ear slackitude. In my opinion.

In other news, Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls were a giant hit. My Aunt called this morning to tell me how much they were enjoying them. That has never happened before. The recipe warned me about that sort of side-effect.

Limited Edition Ornaments brought to you by Ellie’s outgrown socks.

I’ve got half a CounterPain Square left for the year’s Deadline Knitting (the tree skirt wasn’t finished – our tree is in a flower pot) and that includes the Super Secret Knitting that is so secret I have never even mentioned it. It is so secret that I forgot to take a picture before I taped up the box. I am wrestling (as I am sure everyone does) with the importance of knitting documentation vs. wasting wrapping paper.

Snowman inspiration can be found here! My basic modifications included the all-white color scheme and fabric paint eyes. I also used the cut off tops to make the hats (economical use of baby socks).

Emily: 7 Christmas: 25
(I got a bonus point for figuring out French knots for the eyes (elliephant not snowmen.)

Turns out, Elijah isn’t my only Christmas knitting after all.

Over Thanksgiving, my family decided to draw names for Christmas presents. This was fine with me because I knew that no matter who I got, I’d be making a hat. The name only determined color and pattern.

Turn a Square in Freedom Spirit.

I think he’ll like it, but I’ll throw in some Skittles to sweeten the deal.

Emily: 4 Christmas: 17

Swap time! But it’s a swap without knitting!

“Whaaaa?” you say! Oh, yes, yes, indeedy. Yarn Miracle is proud to present:

What’s a swap without a button? .png in the side bar.

All you need is a cookie recipe, time to bake and a Flickr account.

The rules are these:

• Make your cookies (or other goodies – all sweets are welcome).
• Photograph your cookies (or other goodies).
• Upload your photograph to Flickr.
• Include the recipe (or link to the recipe) in the notes.
• Join the group.
• Submit it to the group.
• Salivate over everyone’s goodies and add the recipes to your cookbook!

I totally get a point for this. In fact, I think I should get a point for everyone who participates.

In FACT, I think I will have a prize drawing from all of the participants! Go forth and bake! Prizes await you!

Emily: 3 Christmas: 12

EDIT: All sweets are (more than) welcome, prize pool will consist of everyone who has submitted a picture with associated recipe with an upload date of Friday, December 26, 2008 or earlier.