Christmas Stocking Swap

This morning I packed the box to send to my swap partner on the Worldwide Christmas Stocking Swap on Ravelry. I always try to stuff the large priority mail flat rate box from USPS with yarn, a pattern, some goodies, some knitting "gadgets, and items of interest to the recipient. This time there were a couple of "empty" spaces that I filled with a wad of bubble. As I was returning home after sending it off to mamaphdknits on Ravelry, I had a "bright" moment and remembered what I forgot to send ..... the cat treats and the marker I'd completed before Thanksgiving. Well, I'll just have to send those closer to Christmas. After the package is received, I'll post the pic of the completed stocking. Package has been received, so here's the pic.

Pattern: John Stocking from Berroco (free pattern)

Yarn: Plymouth Galway worsted

Needle: KP Harmony #6 & #8 circ

Pattern modification: Only did 2 1/4" of ribbing instead of the 4 1/2 called for and made a 4 inch long 6 st I-cord for a holder (secured it at the bottom of ribbing on the inside and about 1" from the top of the outside.

This was a fun pattern to knit, but there were many ends to work in when I was finished .... some just could not be carried.
Need to get to knitting on dh socks that will be placed in his Christmas stocking this year. I've done that the past four years ..... the first year was khaki and green plain stockinette with Brown Sheep's Wildfoote, next came the 3-ply Bigfoot socks (k3,p1) in three natural brown shades Classic Elite Inca alpaca, and last year was with CTH superwash sock in java colorway (brown, tan, grey). This year is with Trekking XXXL in navy, grey, green, and burgundy .... just getting subtle striping. I'm doing them on ml with 1.5 Addis, so it's slow going..... both at the same time .... I'm almost down to the heels. I'm going to add reinforcement thread ... haven't ever before .... just had some to try.
That's all for now. Happy knitting! TLGB

Christmas Stocking Update

Almost have finished stocking for mamaphdknits in the International Christmas Stocking Swap on Ravelry. I just need to sew the seam from the top down to the heel flap. They are to be sent by Nov. 15, but I'm waiting for a while .... mamaphdknits said she needed to start mine. I just wanted to get it done since I have two more socks to knit for a grandfather here in town who needs them for the last two grandchildren.

Spent most the day today at church preparing food for a mission festival tomorrow evening. We are serving barbecue pulled pork sandwiches, cole slaw, chips, and bars plus an assortment of beverages. The number to expect is not really known since this is the first time for an event of this type. Hopefully, we'll have enough for everyone.

Think I'll head for a lavender bath ..... soak away some of the aches from being on my feet most of the day.

Happy knitting! TLGB

Christmas Stocking Update

I'm so excited ..... I've finished the leg, heel flap, and heel turn on the Christmas stocking for the International Christmas Stocking Exchange on Ravelry. I just learned about this swap earlier this month and the moderators said they would accept people until Oct. 15. Well, I received my partner's name the next day and started to stocking ..... I'm using Plymouth Galway yarn in the basic colors of red, green, blue, purple plus white. It has really turned out well. I did do the slip st heel flap instead of just a st st flap .... thought it would be more substantial. I've collected most of the "stuff" for the sock even though it will not be inside the sock .... fits better in the flat rate USPS boxes. I took a pic of the leg of the stocking earlier today, but won't post pics until the box has been sent ...the date is to be before Nov. 15, I believe. So ..... pics will be up after Thanksgiving.

I've also been working on a scarf for the husband of one of my coffee friends. He said that men's scarves aren't ever as soft as the one I knit for his wife last Christmas. He will find out when I'm finished with it.