OS Christmas 2014 thread!!!!

IrishRose12

whitesatin wrote: »

Getting a bit frustrated in my quest to make things for a school Christmas Fair. I don't want to make any money for myself out of this, just the most I can for the school. I am such a novice to crocheting that, apart from some little hanging stars I have made, I think I might stick with simpler items like felt gingerbread men, Christmas puds etc. I tried making crochet stockings but I am so slow, I would be better spending my time on something I can already do. I might also make some of those little candy cane sleighs that I made last year but would love to think of something inspiring (but easy) to make.

Feeling quite despondent right now. So much time already wasted trying to improve my crochet skills. Daft really.

Sorry for the ramble...

I'm making the Candy Cane reindeer for our school fair this year. Decorate the candy canes with brown pipe cleaners googly eyes and red pom pom for the nose. Can't get the link for you ATM but they are on pinterest

nursemaggie

Whitesatin

I can't remember if you knit but if you do here is a really good stash busting patten that will sell well at a Christmas fair.

Mittens

You can make these any size your want and they use any double kitting yarn though parents of young children will probably prefer something that will wash in the washing machine.

I make nice stripy ones with either bright colours or pastel shades depending on the age of the child you can also use the self patterning yarns. You can use up the blacks, browns, greys and navy blue as background colours. You need a background colour and up to 3 contrasting colours so you can use up those little tiny bits. You could use 4 ply sock wool just make them a bit bigger.

This pattern is my own so no copyright problems.

Age 4 to 5. With MC, CO 34 st on 4mm needles. k2p2 rib for 7cm
if doing stripes change every 4 rows and carry main colour up the edge twisting every other row so no gaps.
2 rows st, shape for thumb,cont in stocking st knit 12 M1 k1 M1 cont shaping either side of previous M1 on k rows until you have 9st.
Divide for thumb, knit 12 turn and cont on the 9 sts until 3 1/2 cm long ending with ws. nr k1 k2tog cont to end nr k2tog to end.
Using darning needle thread end of yarn through remaining st and sew up thumb.
Rejoin yarn and pick up and n 2 st at the base of the thumb. cont to the end of row and cont in stocking st until measures 9 cm ending on ws.
k1 k2tog to end nr p to end nr k2tog to end, thread yarn through st pull tight and sew up mitten. you should have one extra stitch after picking up the two at the base of the thumb.

Make other mitten to match stating thumb shaping after 19 st. Add 4 extra st to CO and plus extra cm for each size only 1/2cm is enough extra length of thumb and 1 -2 extra for each size for main body of mitten. I have made thousands of £ for various charities over the past 30 years as well as making them for my own children grand children and friends.

whitesatin

Thank you all so much for your ideas. I am looking after my 3 year old grandson for a few days, he is being potty trained. Nightmare! But, hopefully, towards the weekend I will explore all of your ideas and I do knit a bit, nursemaggie so will look and see what yarns I have lying around too.

I am feeling better about things now, thanks to you all.

bossymoo

Daily mail has the Lego / WHSmith promo on again from this weekend, seen on another thread but thought I'd share as great for stocking fillers.

http://brickset.com/sets/list-11288

Older_But_Not_Wiser

Hi all,

I've been going through the cupboards today to see what I have/might need to make some Christmas goodies such as chocolate truffles, mincemeat flavourings etc.

Can I use the alcohol that is already in the cupboard for flavourings or will it have gone off? I have some cognac that I've had for approx 18 years, some gin and some rum that are at least 12 years old, some Pimms and some limonchello that are fairly recent gifts (only about 5 years old) and some Creme De Cassis (not sure how old that is, but would guess 7 or so years)

Dare I use it still?

whitesatin

nursemaggie wrote: »

Whitesatin

I can't remember if you knit but if you do here is a really good stash busting patten that will sell well at a Christmas fair.

Mittens

You can make these any size your want and they use any double kitting yarn though parents of young children will probably prefer something that will wash in the washing machine.

I make nice stripy ones with either bright colours or pastel shades depending on the age of the child you can also use the self patterning yarns. You can use up the blacks, browns, greys and navy blue as background colours. You need a background colour and up to 3 contrasting colours so you can use up those little tiny bits. You could use 4 ply sock wool just make them a bit bigger.

This pattern is my own so no copyright problems.

Age 4 to 5. With MC, CO 34 st on 4mm needles. k2p2 rib for 7cm
if doing stripes change every 4 rows and carry main colour up the edge twisting every other row so no gaps.
2 rows st, shape for thumb,cont in stocking st knit 12 M1 k1 M1 cont shaping either side of previous M1 on k rows until you have 9st.
Divide for thumb, knit 12 turn and cont on the 9 sts until 3 1/2 cm long ending with ws. nr k1 k2tog cont to end nr k2tog to end.
Using darning needle thread end of yarn through remaining st and sew up thumb.
Rejoin yarn and pick up and n 2 st at the base of the thumb. cont to the end of row and cont in stocking st until measures 9 cm ending on ws.
k1 k2tog to end nr p to end nr k2tog to end, thread yarn through st pull tight and sew up mitten. you should have one extra stitch after picking up the two at the base of the thumb.

Make other mitten to match stating thumb shaping after 19 st. Add 4 extra st to CO and plus extra cm for each size only 1/2cm is enough extra length of thumb and 1 -2 extra for each size for main body of mitten. I have made thousands of £ for various charities over the past 30 years as well as making them for my own children grand children and friends.

nursemaggie, I think I might have a go at these. Can you please tell me what you mean by "twisting" every other row, thanks.

Nargleblast

Older_But_Not_Wiser wrote: »

Hi all,

I've been going through the cupboards today to see what I have/might need to make some Christmas goodies such as chocolate truffles, mincemeat flavourings etc.

Can I use the alcohol that is already in the cupboard for flavourings or will it have gone off? I have some cognac that I've had for approx 18 years, some gin and some rum that are at least 12 years old, some Pimms and some limonchello that are fairly recent gifts (only about 5 years old) and some Creme De Cassis (not sure how old that is, but would guess 7 or so years)

Dare I use it still?

The answer to that is taste it. If it tastes ok, then use it. If it tastes musty or "off" to you then that flavour will show in the finished product so chuck it. Your cognac and spirits will probably be ok but possibly not the liqueurs.

nursemaggie

Is that how I put it sorry. I just meant if you do stripes twist the two colour together and the beginning of every other row so it does not get pulled to tight. I have managed to knit from 100gm main colour and 3 contrasts just 25 gm a scarf, a hat and two pairs of mittens you need so little of the contrasts.

I bought the MC red because it is my DGS's favourite colour. I would not have got that lot out of 100gm without the stripes. Sorry to confuse you.

tatabubbly

Hi all! Breakthrough with me and the OH, we decided not to go home for Christmas this year so we don't have to fork out for gifts or expensive nights out around Xmas time!! so it's just dear OH that I am buying for and a token gift to one or two couples who we are really friendly with to say thank you to!

Now to start stocking up the cupboard with Xmas goodies!

Fruball

nicki wrote: »

I found this thread the other day and have spent today reading it through and following links

I wish I could do the greenery but unfortunately I'm allergic to a lot of evergreen stuff so I go for bright, colourful and eclectic Last year I bought a craft book I used to have as a child called "Things to Make For Christmas" so I'm hoping to have a go at making some bit this year with my DD if she's not "too big" for it at 13 lol I loved making the Danish heart baskets in it.

There is only me and my DD, she goes away boxing day to spend time with her dad and his family, so we keep things food wise very simple. We bake a cake using my nannas recipe but split it into multiple tins, the "spares" DD uses in her packed lunch for school and I freeze the Christmas one with a big "DO NOT EAT" sign on it as I make it alcohol free. Christmas dinner is a simple Ber.Math. turkey roast, SP stuffing, frozen veg, lots of pigs in blankets (we went through 24 last year :rotfl:), silverskin pickled onions, sweet pickle, cranberry sauce, mint sauce (will be using the one we still have from last year ), a small pudding with brandy butter (I already have one in the freezer from last year as it was on a multi buy offer ), squirty cream, a bottle of Schloer (or "kids wine" as DD calls it :rotfl:) and crackers for us to pull. Everything is as ready made and cooked in foil trays so clean up is minimal as we usually leave not long afterwards to see my family We usually eat dinner while still in our PJs now and eat sweets from our stockings for breakfast My mum always lays on a buffet so I don't have to supply lots of food.

Gift wise I try to keep it relatively simple. Last year I got DD a bin for her room and filled it with various food goodies all individually wrapped. She loved it and has asked for it again this year. This time though she wants a new keepsake box so I'm going to fill that. I also always get her a book (usually one needed to complete one of her collections, she's a major bookworm), a DVD, a CD, a calender for her room, a jigsaw (working my way through the 3-D ones ), a piece of jewellery (much easier now she's had her ears pierced), and some toiletries. I use vouchers where I can (Am*zon ones earned through surveys usually) and shop around a lot! She asked for make-up last year, and hardly touched it, but last night she asked me to get her some specific make up items so they'll go in her stocking. Its a good job I'm an av*n rep otherwise I'd end up spending a fortune on it!

Last year I did bottles of non-alcoholic mulled wine for all the adults along with one or two other bits, but can I remember what I got the kids? Can I hell I'm hoping I've got it saved in my spreadsheet.... this year I want to see if I can keep it to under £500 for everything. Well actually I don't have much choice as that's all I'll have :rotfl: Its got to be an OS Christmas, and any baking will keep DD occupied

I think I had this book!!! We made those baskets as children and I still have them in my Christmas Dec Box!!! We used to pop a lolly in them and hang them on the tree! We made other decs and they are also brought out to hang on my tree every xmas!

Please can you post a pic of the book or write the ISBN number so I can try to find it so I can get it for my girls please?

Thank you