Christmas - Keep It Simple

As some of you know, we have moved three times since October 2009.  So we have very few decorations anymore.  What we do have is in our storage unit which is tiny.  I don't have the room to go through each box and look for things.

This is our tree.

I bought the tree and the trimmings at Hobby Lobby for about $18.  Everything was 50% off.

We live in a small apt. (on the 3rd floor - no elevators here) so we do not have room for a large tree. 

 Do we need a large tree? Not really. 

 It would be nice to have a real tree but I can't carry it up all these stairs.

Then having to buy all the decorations and carry them up.

And back down again after the holidays.

Why does our society always have to have the biggest and most expensive of everything?

Can we survive with just the basics?

Sure we can!

Baby Sweater

I made this baby sweater (I haven't mailed it yet) for a friend of my oldest daughter who just had a baby boy 2 weeks ago.  It was a very easy pattern.
 I found here. http://www.petitepurls.com/basics/b_garterhood.html
 I followed the directions except for knitting front.  I knitted both sides of the front after the split.  To me it's easier to knit both sides at once and then they are even.

Here's a photo of my knitting. You just need to attach another yarn to knit with.  I used the other end of the skein that I knitting from.  I also try to knit both sleeves at one time too.
Since this is a sweater for a new baby I chose to use an acrylic yarn so there is  no allergic reactions from yarn.  Acrylic can be thrown in the washer.  The yarn I used was Caron Simply Soft Eco.  It was nice to work with.

Beret Finished

 I finished the Beret last night. Sophia wore it all night and was out the door this morning with it on. Here are some crappy photos of her with the hat on. I ran down and got the camera out of the car this morning!! Maybe I will take a better photo when she comes home from school.

It was a really quick knit especially since I have been knitting the continental way. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuRLFl36tDY

The worst part was using double pointed needles at the end. 

So don't let this scare you away from trying this pattern!!

All Day Beret

Here's a photo of the beret from yesterday.  I took it with my phone. I think it looks really cool.  Sophia asked if I would get it finished today.  I will try.
I am using the yarn that the pattern is written for but you could use any #4 yarn.  This yarn called Bamboo Ewe is a blend of bamboo and wool.  It knits very nicely.  The only thing I don't like is you cannot throw it in the washer.

All Day Beret

I am knitting this hat for Sophia. http://www.stitchnationyarn.com/Patterns/free-pattern-all-day-beret.html

It's an easy knit in the round hat.  So far it's looking very pretty.  I will post a photo of my work. 

The camera is in the car so i have to remind Frank to bring it up tonight.

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