Almost Nine Days til Christmas

Are you freaking out or counting down with excitement? Hopefully, it is the latter (and if you are freaking out, I've got some last minute gift ideas at the end of this post). I've been trying to get a jumpstart on the holiday to-do list things since I'm getting more and more tired each week. But, well, reality is setting in. I'm definitely not going to get much baking done this year, but I had two little elves who helped this weekend.



Mimi's sugar cookies still remind me on my childhood and I miss Grandma, Mimi and Cotty more than ever around the holidays.

Most of the gifts are almost done. Just a few things left. How about you guys? As much as I'd like to knit more things this year, again, just not going to happen. The one favorite teacher present of cashmere toasties is just about done. I've been wanting to knit a little hat for the magpie and so Saturday night I started with this....



Here are the makings of a not-just-for-Christmas hat for the magpie. A skein of Plucky Knitter Primo Sport in Blazing Saddle (that fabulous red!), and a bunch of minis that I picked up from Canon Hand Dyes when she was here for Interweave Knitting Lab I've had this particular color combo idea on my mind for awhile.(beware, clicking the Canon Hand Dyes link takes you to her fabulous etsy shop filled with Downton Abbey inspired colorways. I try not to click often because it is soooo hard to resist!).




Knitting away by the fire last night. I stayed up late so that she'd look like this today...





We had a fabulous day at the Dicken's Christmas Fair today! I'll show you more photos this week...too many for this post!

Anyways, I can check that gift off the list now :)  I have been coming across some fun last minute gifts that I thought I would share with you guys, in case you have a few items you still need to check off your list. Or put under the tree yourself!

In the book department...


Melissa Leapman's new stitch dictionary is lovely, with both charted and written directions.


Clara's new book is fabulous as well!


Still my favorite cookbook of the year. Hoping to try more recipes over the holidays too!


I loved this book! I read it this fall (well, Audible read it to me! Thank you guys for convincing me to finally try audiobooks!).



I'm reading The Book Thief now because I've had it for forever and really, really wanted to read it before I see the movie.


This was my favorite read this summer. In case I forgot to tell you :) 

 
Well, this one is more for people like me who can't wait for this one to come out. Pre-order. March will be here before you know it! Just love the cover too and from what I can tell, looks to not be knitting related- I kind of love that because if you read her blog, Steph has a funny spin on pretty much anything!

Ok, that's it on the easy amazon links. If you do by chance purchase through those links, whether it be the books or anything else once you click through, a little bit goes back to me, so thank you!

I do love Joy the Baker's book of winter reads....quite a few of those are on my to-read list.

Now in the knitting department.....


Many of you know that I love the yarns that have been released this year from Anne Hanson's Bare Naked Wools line, so of course it is on my list!I'm really hoping to get the Herrington Cowl on the needles at some point, which is what I ordered the Breakfast Blend shown above for. I'd also strongly suggest signing up for The Bare Naked Yarn Club! It starts in January!

I love the ladies from Sincere Sheep and Knitted Wit and am very familiar with the different clubs they offer through their Among Friends collaboration. So I clicked on this ad above when I saw it in my Ravelry group and was so excited that they had also joined up with Canon Hand Dyes! This kit looks fabulous, but I just ordered the gradient minis kit!  No hexipuffs for me, I'm just loving the idea of using these gradient minis creatively...I'm feeling inspired! Plus, the kits ship this week, so under the tree for me.



Remember the lovely gradient yarns I ordered last month from Black Trillium? Well, through Dec. 16th, she's having a birthday sale (info here, but receive 20% off if use the coupon code FLASH). I'm trying hard to resist another set.


I do love my new ornament from Jennie the Potter. Ok, I love anything she makes. I hope she does these again next year! Although she is out of this ornament, her store is stocked with her lovely stitch markers, necklaces (I've purposely NOT opened the box with mine in it so I will be a little surprised on Christmas!), and more.

More yarn....The Plucky Knitter will be having her cashmere update on Friday, Dec. 20. Cashmere. Plucky. Done.

Other stuff on the list...

Nordstrom- Still time left to order online, free returns, love them. Especially for that hard to get for person.

Etsy- dangerous, creative, you can get lost here. Ok, actually, any of you have a particular jewelry store on there you'd recommend? Or other favorite etsy shop?

There you go. My last minute gift list. Hope it helps.

Don't forget you have til Monday night to enter my blogiversary bonanza contest or purchase any of the sale patterns that are 50% off. Details here. Feel free to share the info too!

Here's to a fabulous week ahead!

Happy knitting!!!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits