Here are the sweaters I made for all my little girls for Christmas. I used the Martini Bolero pattern designed by my friend Heather for Chicks with Sticks. You can buy the pattern here. It knits up so super quick with only two tails to weave when you're done--NO assembly required.
They all wore them today and looked so cute!
I did make a bunch of other gifts this year. Like this tote for Kristen/Tyson. I figured he needed a "boy" one--the fabric has skateboarding boys and boys climbing trees on it. It's lined with blue polka-dot oilcloth and I made a big zippy to match--also lined with oilcloth to hold diapers/wipes or Kristen's stuff.
And I made these wooden blocks for Tyson--only half the alphabet though, the rest will come for his birthday.
Let's see...I also made some other tote bags, a hat for Kristen, scarves for the girls, and I can't think what else right now. I wasn't very good at taking pictures of everything this year. I'll have to check everyone else's Christmas morning photos too.
EDITED TO ADD LATER:
Since you've asked, here's the skinny on the blocks:
I bought plain wooden blocks from Hobby Lobby for 99 cents each. Then I collected a bunch of scrapbook paper that matched the alphabet paper I found first and knew I wanted to use. I cut out each letter, then five different scraps from coordinating paper (there are six sides to each block). For each of these scraps, I cut squares slightly larger than the sides of the blocks.
I used Mod Podge and worked two opposite sides at a time, filing off the edges of the paper when they dried and moving to the next two sides. (Take a peek at the Scrapbook Letter Tutorial over there ------> for more detailed instructions on the gluing/sanding steps.)
When all the sides were covered in paper, I put at least two coats of Mod Podge over the the whole block to protect them from baby drool!
That's it! It's a really simple project and goes quickly, if you don't count sitting around waiting for the glue to dry. But if you do a bunch of blocks at once, then the first blocks are dry when you've finished the last ones and you can keep going around and around.
You have been a crafty busy bee! I love the bolero's and the bag is so fantastic. But please enlighten me...how did you make those blocks?
Posted by: erin s | December 31, 2007 at 12:40 AM
Oh my, what adorable girls and beautiful sweaters! And the blocks are so cute too. Thanks for sharing the pics.
What did you use for the block designs? Wallpaper? I love the colors!
Posted by: Nancy | December 31, 2007 at 09:19 AM
You, dear, make me a very very jealous girl with all your amazing crafting! Those sweaters are ADORABLE!
Posted by: tammy | December 31, 2007 at 09:41 AM
God's work through you amazes me!
I hope to learn to knit in '08! Perhaps I will get the supplies with my Christmas money and then a beginner's book. Then you can show me some fancy stitches and tricks later.
Thankful for you, friend!!
Holly
Posted by: Holly Smith | December 31, 2007 at 10:59 AM
I would love to know how you made those blocks. What a great idea! All the other things that you made rocked as well.
Posted by: Amy @ By His Grace | December 31, 2007 at 12:48 PM
They're all amazing! Great job!
Posted by: Puva | December 31, 2007 at 08:47 PM
Hi! What size did you knit for the girls? So very cute! Happy new year! Janine
Posted by: janine | January 01, 2008 at 04:21 PM
I'm looking for the scrapbooking letter tutorial and I cant find it :( does anyone know where it is?
I'm wanting to help my friend do it for the nursery of her first baby! (she is due in may :D)
Posted by: Shayla | February 19, 2009 at 11:35 AM