A Handmade Yarn Swift From My Sweetie

I hinted at a handmade gift that needed to be shown off, that I received from my husband.  We have been trying to do handmade gifts for each other, and as many people on our list for the last couple of years.  This year we got close (all but one!).  Matt does woodworking, so at my request, he made me a yarn swift.  I'm pretty sure it was made with love, but also with the desire to not have to help me wind yarn balls anymore ;)

I love how it turned out, and it works really well.  The base is made from Walnut, and the arms are from Maple.  Matt looked up some plans online, and then winged it from there.  The pieces are basically scraps leftover from the cutting boards he was making for gifts, so we got by making it pretty cheap.  I think in the $20-$30 range.  The pegs are just pieces of dowels, that can be replaced if they get stained from the dyes in the yarn.

Tigger was intrigued:

 

Here's a closeup where you can see the finish, and how lovely it looks with some yarn on it!  I really love that he made me something I will use all the time!  If I can get some photographs of his sweater, you'll get to see what I made him next!

 

On Playing Catch-Up (and some new socks)

So after a year long hiatus, I'm back.  Not that I will guarantee I'm going to be posting every little thing, but I am ready to share some more and get caught up with this space.  I intend to share some of the things I made from the end of 2012, and through the holiday season.  Sewing has somewhat taken the backseat to knitting lately.  Something about the cooler weather, I guess.  I just finished a pair of socks for my Dad, that were intended for a Christmas gift, but ended up being a little late.  Luckily, he didn't mind, and put them right on to go do cattle chores in the snow!  (I know, scary that they might get yucky, but I am from the school of thought that handmade items are to be used, so this thrilled me)  

The socks are just a basic pattern from a Patons Sock pattern book that I picked up at a chain store.  It is the first sock pattern that had enough pictures and explanations for me to make a pair without struggling or giving up, and the husband was the lucky recipient of that first pair Christmas 2011.  (He has since moved on to bigger and better gifts such as sweaters...more on that later)  I have since become really fond of making socks in a way I never imagined.  They are the perfect portable project, and they have just enough boring stuff, just enough action to keep me hooked.  They are also great for when you are working on another more involved project (husband's sweater), and you need a break.

 The color is just a boring oatmeal color, but I'm breaking him in slowly with the handmade socks ;)

Can't start off with too many crazy colors!  The yarn is also a nice wool/alpaca/nylon blend so they are really soft, and should wear nicely.  Here is the Ravelry page.  (Psst...Feel free to add me on Ravelry!)

Time to head back to the couch by the fire, and keep on knitting! :)