I wanted to show you a few of my favorite gifts from the holidays! (Why? Because these are all artisans that I can see buying future gifts from. I’m always looking for something unique when figuring out gifts, and I thought you might like to have these resources, too.) The first two are from a gal here in St. Louis that works with my brother. 
(Mike gets lots of credit for these gifts – he did good, didn’t he?) I wish you could see them in person. The framed Loopy Ewe is hand done on glass and we hung it as you walk in to the kitchen at Loopy Central. I’m amazed at how well she did on the Loopy font! I wish you could see this lighted bottle in person. It has Loopy and Loopy faces and red socks all over it, and it just shines when you plug it in. It looks like stained glass. Very fun! I kept this one at home in my kitchen. Judi has a website where she can be contacted, if you’re ever interested in these fun bottle lights. 🙂 She has some fun options already figured out (my mom has a cute snowman one in her kitchen) but she is also happy to do personalizations and logos like she did for us. Wouldn’t they be cute in kids’ rooms, too, with their name and favorite things on the bottle? (Or a knitting one for your knitting nook? The possibilities are endless!)
The next gift was an anniversary gift from my mother-in-law. This is all handcut (you can read about the art of Scherensnitte here) and is full of things that make up our life. Hobbies, jobs, schools, people, pets, dates, etc. The more you look, the more you find. (It does help that there is a list of “do you see what I see?” on the back that gives clues.) The artist who did this – Keith Bonnstetter – doesn’t have a website, but here is a link to one of the places he has exhibited. Instead of putting his phone number on the website, just email me if you’d like me to pass it on to you. WH’s mom told him all about our family, and he came up with his representation of it for us. It is a very special gift!
Then, I had to go investigate another jewelry designer, because we all know that I’m a sucker for great jewelry. On Wednesday in the comments section, Juliblue mentioned that she was helping her friend in a trade show. April has had her designs bought by Anthropologie, as well as having worked with several tv shows and other venues. Best of all, her work is downright fun and beautiful. I bought these pretty silver ones as a gift for myself. But don’t tell. I don’t think you’re supposed to buy gifts for yourself right after Christmas. (April said that I could borrow this photo of them to put on the blog for you. I know better than to lift website photos without permission!) Next time, I will have to go for a pair with colored stones/crystals. I like the ones on her homepage with the three dangles.
I do have a recipe to share with you today. These are soooo easy (so really, “recipe” is a stretch) and very timely with all of the “eating healthy” resolutions out there. We made these Yogurt Parfaits for Christmas morning brunch, and I also like to make them each week for breakfast. I think they are best about 2 days after you make them. That gives the granola time to soften up.
Yogurt Parfaits
Layer the following into cups:
1 large spoonful of your favorite granola cereal
a few fresh berries (I used blueberries and raspberries)
a few spoonfuls of yogurt
and repeat the layers again, ending with granola and berries.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to eat. (It’s fun to mix yogurt flavors in the cup, although I will admit to liking the vanilla yogurt myself. You can get vanilla and strawberry in large containers at our grocery store, which makes this all a bit easier and more economical.) Next week’s recipe won’t be quite so healthy. 🙂
Attention Spring Flingers – if you’re on Ravelry, make sure you join The Loopy Groupies AND Loopy’s Spring Fling group! There is a lot of fun chatter going on over there, as well as a “Spring Fling Swap” that you might want to be a part of. (Special thanks to Leslie for running the swap and Sarah for setting up the Spring Fling Ravelry Group!)
Great idea – Commenter Tracy suggested that I ask you what your favorite non-sock pattern (using sock yarn) would be. What do you think? Two of my favorite “knit with sock yarn but not socks” patterns are the Chevron Scarf and Monica’s Fingerless Lace Mitts. What would yours be?
Sheri thisweekitwas8degreesonWednesdayandwillbe60byMondayFPS
I love your gifts! I can’t wait to see them in person. 🙂 That is a very sweet gift from your MIL. I would love to make a Chevron scarf. I have a difficult time picking out the yarn though. Any suggestions? I’ll go check out the websites now. Yummy recipe. Thanks
I love the loopy gifts they are so neat.
The yogurt parfaits look scrumptious.
Same weather here we were a tad colder it was 3 here on Wed morning
Great gifts. the paper cutting is amazing. And why can’t you buy yourself presents after Christmas?
The Scherensnitte is amazing!! Tell everyone to enlarge it to see the incredible detail!
Glad you had a nice holiday.
Sandi Rosner’s book “Not Just Socks” has some nice patterns in it. Although I think I will forgo the mitt patterns until the temps swing back down. It was a high of 6 yesterday, going to 60 by Tuesday. Love New England!
I think buying gifts for yourself after Christmas is just fine. Especially since the gardening catalogs are coming in now…
Hmmm…I’m about to start the second in my first-ever-for-myself pair of socks, and it’s supposed to be 60 here this weekend….great for cleaning all the snowstorm mess out of the cars, but not so great for wool feet!! Oh well…
I have a hat pattern that uses sock yarn, double-layer. I haven’t made it yet, but it’s definitely in line for my leftovers!
http://www.3gcs.com/adcock/free%20patterns/Sockyarn%20Hat.htm
Is Knitting Daughter’s name Julia?? My DD9 (Ok, 10 on Jan 10th) is named Julia too!! and she knits too!!
OK, got sidetracked… will read the rest of your post…
So far, my favorite non-sock sock yarn project has been the Little Gems mitts from the Holiday Interweave Knits. They turned out great and were much appreciated by their recipient at Christmas. 🙂
Any Fair Isle Hat / Mitten….
I recently finished the Diamond mittens from Haertland Knits… bought here at the loopy ewe. These were fun!
Wonderful gifts, Sheri!!!
As for non-sock sock yarn projects, I just knit up the Ribbed Beanie – http://www.woollywormhead.co.uk/USERIMAGES/ww020ribbedbeanie.pdf – using two strands of sock yarn. I used a thicker yarn and a thin, fingering yarn and made a great hat for my son! It knits up quickly, too.
It was 13 this morning and by Monday we’re supposed to be at 60 also!
No specific pattern, but I like to use sock yarn for baby items — I first did the pattern in Knitter’s (Mexicali Baby Ole) several years ago, and won 1st prize at the county fair for it and a hat as a set. Many babies get waaay too hot with heavier weight yarns!
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WOW blast from the past, I used to do Scherensnitte all the time, of course mye eyes were much younger then. I loved it!! Your piece is wonderful. Terrific recipe …..
I love making infant hats with my left-over sock yarn. They are quick and I think babies look so cute in the funky sock yarn colors that I tend to buy. = )
And my boys will LOVE those yogurt parfaits. I’ll be making those for breakfast tomorrow!
The gift from your Mother-in-law is so neat. I loved trying to figure out what some of them were. I noticed a soccer ball, a camera, Loopy, hanks of yarn, the Cross. Knit something out of sock yarn that isn’t socks???? I don’t think so!!!! I can’t imagine missing out on th cool socks the yarn could become.
Lovely presents! On my list for this year (in lovely Pewter and Crabapple Louet from TLE) are the Endpaper Mitts by Eunny Jang.
Sheri, Thank you so much for the wonderful comments! April loves being an ‘Indie Artist’. And just so you know EVERY pair of earrings, and necklace, or bracelet on her site was handmade by her. She has a small studio out in her back yard where she sits and designs. Very jealous. We are off to NY on Sunday for the BIG ENK trade show. It is lots of fun. The buyers for the big stores are there buying stuff for NEXT season. It is neat to see all the upcoming styles/fashions before they even hit the stores. I am still working on my first pair of socks and am quite happy with them. Smooshy is a fluffy feeling yarn. See you all after Thursday when I return!
Hmmmmmmmmm, something that isnt socks outa sock yarn…. Lace work is always fun esp with some of the colors I tend to like for socks, Fingerless Mitts, Gloves, head scarves oh pretty much anything, however the only thing I’ve actually made with sock wt yarn is about half of a lace pattern which is in my Ravelry Projects to be finished. But…I do have some Claudia Handpainted coming for Fingerless gloves coming so…
Love the Presents, they are way Cool!
YUMMY! I love parfait! As to my favourite non-sock pattern made from sock yarn. Abotanicity in the latest issue of Knitty (http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTabotanicity.html) I haven’t knitted it yet, but it’s in my ravelry queue.
I LOVE the parfait recipe and what timing!! I will definitely be taking those to school for lunch. My favorite thing to knit besides socks has to be the Baby Surprise Jacket. Just finished my first and can’t wait to make another one for my twin granddaughters!
The Serpentine Mitts. Plus gloves. I love making gloves. Oh, and shawls, shawls out of heavier fingering weight are so cozy. 🙂
ACK – hand made earrings! ACK, ACK! I need them. Thank you for showing those to us, Sheri. I love the triple silver hoops.
I also cannot wait for the next Sneak Up 🙂
Glad you had a good Christmas holiday! It was nice here, too. Very peaceful with lots of knitting. Cherry Tree Hill Limited Edition Colorway on the needles now.
I made a hat using Stephanie’s unoriginal pattern using sock yarn held double and it turned out great. I also have made mittens and fingerless gloves, you just have to use your imagination
Um.
You can use it for something besides socks??
OK, I did know that. My favorite non-sock thing to do with sock yarn is knit baby sweaters.
My favorite non-sock patterns are baby sweaters. I’ve made one – it’s adorable! and have yarn for several more. It takes about the same amount of yarn as a pair of socks and SO cute!
You received some nice presents, and the parfat looks yummy.
My fav non-sock pattern for sock yarn is also the Chevron Scarf. I made one, love it, and plan to make more eventually. I haev made a baby sweater with sock yarn before and that was fun to do since it was self striping. Right now, I’m making a baby blanket with DK weight sock yarn, log cabin style. I’ve seen gorgeous mitred square blankets I want to try too with my scraps. Since I have SO much sock yarn, I’m thinking about making myself some gloves out of some.
Have a nice weekend!
I haven’t made anything other than socks out of sock yarn, although I do have one skein that’s earmarked for a pair of fingerless mitts. There’s always the possiblity of other skeins becoming FO’s other than socks, but no other plans for that at this time.
I love those gifts that you got! And who says that you shouldn’t buy yourself gifts after Christmas?! That’s exactly when you should buy them – when everyone else has already bought whatever it is they were going to buy for you, & when you’ve finished buying gifts for everyone else – so go for it! I checked out April’s site, & now I’m contemplating a gift for myself, too (keeping in mind, of course, the Spring Fling & on-site purchasing, plus sneak-ups between now & then)!
The weather here is crazy, too. Try to stay warm while the cold winds blow, & keep yourself healthy when the weather can’t make up its mind!
I’ve made 2 pairs of the Sonata Gloves (Heartland Knits pattern) and I hardly ever repeat a pattern. Definitely my favorite sock yarn but not socks pattern and the miters look great with variegated yarns. Hmm maybe it’s time for me to make another pair……
I make hats and scarfs from sock yarn. i have also made little bags to carry cell phones and a wallet. The hats I made from Jitterbug are our favorite. I doubled the yarn and they are so warm. Great for working outside and feel great.
I love all of April’s jewelry and I can think of a few people who might be getting some of Judi’s things this year. Hopefully I will be one of them!
I really like the Jaywalker scarf I’m making now. It’s similar to the chevron scarf.
http://javajem.blogspot.com/2007/05/chevron-scarf.html
It’s fun and easy and looks great!
I also like to do shawls in sock yarn, easier to knit and warmer.
And most fingerless mitts lol. I have a thing for fingerless mitts.
I would say the Chevron Scarf and Clapotis (mini). Both look great in sock yarn.
Great gifts, and you certainly can buy yourself gifts after Christmas! I recently finished Branching Out in Fiesta Boomerang, it’s lovely and the Boomerang is so, so soft. I am also working on a Chevron Scarf in Fleece Artist Sea Wool. Both projects are on my Ravelry projects page (I’m lindalu). My current non-sock project using sock yarn is the Baby Suprise Jacket in Cider Moon Glacier.
I agree about the fingerless gloves & chevron scarf, but I have made 4 pairs of felted clogs out of sock yarn. The Yarn Nerd 850 Mhz and they are so pretty and 2 pair from some ebay nonsuperwash sock yarn. Just divide your approx 400 yd hank into 4 equal balls and knit with all 4 plus one strand of worsted (I used ecru/off white). I put the pic in the gallery of 1 pair, but I still need to photo the Jewel of the Nile one.
I’m on a fingerless mitt kick right now—more of my sock yarn seems to be ending up as fingerless mitts than as socks! Shawls are also good. Someday I would like to try my hand at Wendy’s mitered sweater. That was way cool.
Absolutely you should buy yourself gifts after Christmas!
Thanks for the parfait recipe! I always enjoy reading your recipes but, as most of them call for ingredients that aren’t readily available here, it doesn’t go any further than that. This one, however, I can make!
I just knit the hat on the cover of the Interweave Knits Holiday Issue, it is made out of sock yarn and you can use leftovers for many of the colors since they require little yardage. It was a fun and quick knit.
Right now my favourite thing to make with socks yarn (except for socks) are the Obstacles Shawl by Knitspot. I am about 1/3 into it and I love it! I’m using Dream in Color Smooshy.
Speak to me not of temperature fluctuations. (wait… need another tissue)
Those earrings are great. Just what my mother would like. I’m bookmarking that for later.
Favorite non-sock sock yarn project? Generically speaking, mittens. Specifically, the sweater I made for HSH out of doubled-stranded sock yarn. It worked out brilliantly. (Sucked up an awful lot of yarn, but it was worth it.)
I agree, the Chevron scarf is a great idea for sock yarn. I like the Delicato Mitts from Knitspot also, I made a pair from nonsuperwash yarn for my mom for Christmas, and she loves them!
Im am (almost) embarrassed to admit that I have done 6 chevron scarves… almost everyone in sock yarn….
Also- I love the look and feel of lace done in sock yarn, makes me feel like I’;m getting the maximum bang for my buck as lace always shows ..Socks may not;) Although the new “clear Chuck Taylors” are tempting for showing off socks…if I wasn’t concerned about sweaty feet;)
Also have done a couple of Clapotis in sock yarn- love them.
I’m personally quite fond of the Elegant Gauntlets from Sally Melville’s The Purl Stitch book. Also the Chevron Scarf. And I’m currently knitting a Leaf Lace shawl in Lorna’s Laces Camoflage colorway. That’s coming out really nice, and I’d finish it if I could remember where the other 2 skeins of yarn are… with Christmas knitting, I haven’t taken the time to look for them. I’ve done the Charlotte’s Web shawl in sock yarn, that one was a lot of fun. And the Landscape Shawl.
Looking at this, it seems like what I’m saying is, I just like knitting with smaller gauge yarn in general.
Hi Sheri! Happy New Year! It’s Special Swap Time again, and I wondered if you were still interested! Let me know!
My favorite non-sock pattern that I can use sock yarn for is Anne Hanson’s Delicato Mitts
http://www.knitspot.com/knitting_pattern/delicato-mitts-p-47.html
They’re lovely, and the lace pattern is totally usable on socks (though that’s on my to-do list, I haven’tyet).
I only made one, because it’s only my right hand that gets cold in the witner when I’m at the computer. That’s what I made it for – using the computer in the winter.
Those look like fun gifts! Thanks so much for sharing – maybe I can take a closer look when I’m at the Spring Fling! : ) I can’t really answer your question about my favorite pattern to use sock yarn for if its other than socks, as I haven’t branched out very far yet…so TBD. And, thanks for the healthy recipe. Maybe I can try it in the near future now that my flu is starting to pass. A diet of strictly liquids really isn’t all that exciting, lol… : )
The gifts are SO cute! I love the lighted bottle. We are having a major problem with daughter being afraid of the dark and she has been sleeping with her light on for over a month now. This might be a good thing to help her:)
I love hats, fingerless mitts, scarves and even kids stuff out of sock yarn. I’m addicted to small gauges:)
Your gifts are gorgeous! I am thinking a Golden Retriever light…hummm…..
A Ravelry group…oh great…now I have to figure out how to use Ravelry….LOL!
No problem! 😀 I hope any Spring Flinger’s reading this will hop on over to the group on Ravelry and join us!
I just found the link to this post in my bookmarks and realized that’s why I’ve been on such a parfait kick lately! I must have seen your post and then started making them (not realizing the connection!)
Here’s my post about the subject:
http://www.pediascribe.com/20080310/am-i-making-you-hungry/
Hi,
I have read about Keith Bonnstetter’s paper cutting and was wondering if you could email me his telephone # or a way to contact him about purchasing some of his work?
Thank you.
Jane Chiapppinelli
Bettendorf