FO Friday – Christmas in July

Christmas in July stocking

I know it’s the end of August, but I never talked about a crochet-a-long (CAL) I participated in at the end of July.  I don’t like participating in mystery-a-longs, especially when I have to pay for a pattern because you never know what you’ll be making.  This one didn’t even give a clue – it just said something related to Christmas.

Christmas in July - part 1

Like most MCALs (mystery CALs), the clues were released over a number of days.  After the first day … I still didn’t have any idea what I was making.  It looked like an extra-large washcloth with a slit on one side!  This is how it turned out:

Christmas in July stocking

At first, I didn’t care for it much, but it’s growing on me.  That slit became the heel portion of the stocking.  It was an interesting design as it used short rows on the heel.  I’ve done short rows in knit, but never crochet.  It’s the same concept if not perhaps a bit simpler.

While we were camping I thought Little Chick needed a hat.  I decided to try making a hat similar to the Simple Summer hat I made … oh, my! It’s been 3 years already!  This time I made a bigger hat with a larger brim.

Simple Summer hat II

Unfortunately, this was about as long as she wore the hat!  She didn’t want to wear it except for posing (she’s such a ham!)

UC Sampler Square 13

I finished one more Underground Crafter Sampler mystery square this month, but I’m still about 4 behind.

I’ve been spending most of my time working on a test knit for someone on Ravelry.  It’s a dress and it’s taking me a lot longer than I expected.  I finished the skirt last week.

Snowdrop dress skirt

The weather and mosquitoes even cooperated one day that I could sit outside and knit – while my family wrestled around in the grass :-).

I knit while they wrestle

In other crafting news, I was inspired while visiting my aunt and uncle a few weeks ago.  My aunt has been making quilts – including this beautiful scrappy strip quilt.  Isn’t it great?  I’d like to make one of these!

Margaret's strip quilt

My husband has been busy crafting too.  He made this beauty for me as a surprise!

yarn swift

It’s a yarn swift.  Here it is all folded up.

yarn swift folded up

I have an electric ball winder that can be helpful in winding skeins into balls, but the problem is even if you’re careful with hand-holding the yarn it still seems to get twisted.  Using the swift worked perfectly and we only had to slow or stop a couple of times while winding this large ball.

first yarn wound using swift

I think Papa enjoyed seeing it work just as much as I did.  I’m such a lucky gal to have a handy, helpful husband!

6 Replies to “FO Friday – Christmas in July”

  1. What a beautiful swift!!! Wow 🙂

    1. Thank you! I feel I should go purchase more yarn just to try it out again LOL!

  2. I love that stocking! Do you have a link for the pattern?

    1. Oops – I usually post details about what I make but forgot this time. The pattern can be found on Ravelry as “Winter Waves” Christmas Stocking pattern.

      1. Thank you! The photo of your swift has me wondering if I can somehow convert the base of mine to screw into a standing base similar to yours and remove the clamp as I often have trouble finding a table to clamp mine onto! Hmmm… some experimenting may have to be done…

      2. I would think you could. Just make sure it’s heavy so it doesn’t rock while the swift is turning. Let me know if it works!

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