Monday, November 23, 2009

What could be better

than enjoying my hot chocolate with a candy cane?


I love chocolate-mint combos, and this feels so festive :) So what could be better than my peppermint-hot-chocolate?


Ahhh, knitting a sock out of some very soft, sweetly striping yarn! And we all know how much I LOVE knitting socks, but what could be better than sock-knitting?


Perhaps finishing both socks. And then finding this cute, it-matches-the-gift, leftover-from-a-few-years-ago tag to use for all the pertinent sock care instructions.


So what could possibly be better than all that?


Crossing one more gift off my list. Actually, even better yet, I've been crossing several gifts off the handmade list this weekend! (Sorry, not gloating. O-kaaay, maybe just a smidge of gloating, lol!)


Thanks everyone for all the great feedback about the beading tutorial. Try it, you won't believe how easy it really is...and then you look like a finishing wizard :) There were a couple questions, so I'll answer them quick:

I was asked about knotting the tail after weaving...I don't bother with a knot and I don't worry about it coming loose. But if you want to knot the end, by all means, I think you should.

I trim the edges to within 3-4 "squares" (or 6-8 "threads). And I've never had any problems with those fraying once they're inside the ornament (or pincushion.) I backstitch the edges and that's it. But if you're worried about it coming apart at the seams, you can always use fray-check or such on the edges.

My tutorial is just how I do the beaded edges, I'm sure everyone has their own way. I think you should do whatever you feel comfortable with, that gives you the results that you want :)

And to answer a quick question about the dishcloths...I can get 2 dishcloths out of a solid-colored ball of yarn. There isn't much left over, so I only leave tails about 6-8 inches long to weave in at the end. If you use the variegated yarns, 2 balls will make 3 dishcloths. The washcloths I made use more yarn than the dishcloths because of the larger size.

The dishcloth pattern is a great beginner pattern, it's how my grandma taught me to knit. You learn how to cast on, increase, decrease and bind off. It's all knit stitch, no purling. Google knitting tutorials, there are tons out there. And so what if they're a bit wonky, they still work great in the kitchen!

Thanks for stopping by my neck of the woods! It's Monday, so I hope you have a great one! And if I don't make it back here before Thursday...Happy Thanksgiving dear friends, I have much to be thankful for and that includes all of you!!!

34 comments:

Kim B said...

I'm not usually a mint person, but I do LOVE peppermint hot chocolate. Although lately I've been enjoying my hot chocolate with a shot of butterscotch schnapps :)

Berit said...

You have earned that gloat!! :D

Thanks for the tutorials; I'm very excited/interested to see how my beading goes trying it that way.

As for minting the Hot Chocolate--it's easier to put a few drops of mint oil/extract in the chocolate pot...and less sugary. But, also less festive. ;)

Gayle said...

Do love the tutorials and lovely socks. There is nothing like a cup of Hot Chocolate on a cold morning. I heard that putting a scoop of peppermint ice cream on top is yummy. I have yet to try it but love the candy cane in the mug. My favorite is the cinnamon candy cane. Stephens Hot Chocolate carries packets with candy canes already crushed inside.

Unknown said...

Staci - thanks for the finishing instructions - they sound simple enough that I may actually try to finish something. I'll let you know how it goes!

Your Christmasy background is the best - very festive!

What pretty socks - love the colors and that cute tag does match perfectly! What a wonderful gift!

Enjoy your Thanksgving.

Hazel said...

Never thought of using a candy cane that way! Ours usually end up in the bin. Will def try this mmmm..... xx

Dani said...

Mmmm ... peppermint and hot chocolate ... one of my favorites :)

Hazel said...

Oh oh!! I have just found a supplier in the UK for Peaches n Creme! Going to make some dishcloths! My dd saw your socks and wants some now. Guess I better get learning and knitting. x

Paula C. said...

You're right! That tag does match perfectly. I love it when that happens =) I also love the socks! What kind and color is that sock yarn? I must see if I can find it here.I also love what you did with your blog. It is so festive! Congrats on getting more gifts finished. I think there is nothing better than a handmade Christmas gift.

Nancy said...

The latest pair of socks is just gorgeous! Your hot chocolate looks delicious with a candy cane. I have some Candy Cocoa, and I think I'll go make a cup while I continue to get the house ready for Thanksgiving! Have a good day Staci!

Ranae said...

Yummy!! even the socks, lol
I can't wait to see the beading tutorial. Lol! I am going backwards in my post reading.

Jennifer said...

Oooh, chocolate/mint, my all-time fave!!
Love all your finishes. It's so inspirational to come to your blog. Makes me want to use up my stash and stay out of JoAnn's/Michaels/Hobby Lobby for a while.....although that's so hard to do!

Angela said...

I agree with all of the above! The Hot Chocolate looks yummy and so do your knitted socks. You've almost got me tempted to try knitting one of those dishcloths. LOL!

valerie said...

Mmmm...minty cocoa. Yum! Love the socks. You are being so productive! I'm just thinking about making washclothes and you've gone a ton in the time I've just been thinking! lol

Lois said...

I say nothing could be better than drinking that yummy peppermint hot chocolate! And those socks are the cutest! Well done on ticking another gift off the list. Christmas really will be here before we know it!

Anonymous said...

*sigh*... I fear you may be putting me and a few others to shame with your ticked off list... ;o)
It does look like the cutest package, socks and card...!!!

Theresa said...

Mmmmmm~~~~ That hor chocolate looks delicious!!!!!!

Julie said...

someones having a happy day and very well deserved too

doris said...

I know something better than sock-knitting. Sock wearing!!! I so love your socks, as you know.

Julie M said...

Yum! That hot chocolate looks wonderful! Cute socks as usual!

Dani - tkdchick said...

Those socks are a gorgeous gift! I'd be happy to receive those! I love mint/peppermint and choclate! I'll get a peppermint hot choclate from starbucks at any time of the year (yes you don't have to only wait for x-mas!)

Loraine said...

Wow, what a wonderful gift! I would love to get that.
Take care! Have a great Thanksgiving.
P.S. The hot chocolate looks fab!

Ruth said...

Ok, you can gloat.... you can even gloat a lot. :) Wanna finish some of the things I swore would be done for this Christmas?

Melissa said...

I can only say - how lucky are the recipients of your handmade presents!

Margaret said...

Nothing wrong with gloating when the finishes are this lovely.

Enjoy your peppermint-hot chocolate as you prepare for the Thanksgiving weekend. Hope it is wonderful for you an yours.

Love your ornament edging tutorial. I really am going to try my hand at adding beads. Lovely.

annemarie said...

Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for answering my question - I really appreciate your thoughtfulness!

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

Happy Thanksgiving!
I love your peppermint in hot chocolate.
If you have a Walmart nearby check out their chocolate dipped peppermint sticks for stirring!!!
Great in coffe or hot chocolate!
Your stitching is neat and pretty. I read through your post on making the edges look so pretty but I don't think I can do it as well as you! Oh my, those beads are beautiful!

Jennifer
Feathers in the Nest

Kathy A. said...

Oh hot chocolate with peppermint - how fun is that. I think I will try it.
Loved your tutorial on beading. Thanks for the great suggestions.
Waved as we drove by lol!

Carol R said...

Please pour me out a cup of that hot chocolate and don't forget a candy cane, I'm on my way over! ;-)

mainely stitching said...

Yumm-o!!

Solstitches said...

So now I know what to do with a candy cane. I've never seen that before :)
The socks are so pretty and they are beautifully presented.
Anyone who gets a gift from you is very lucky indeed.

Margaret

Olga said...

Lots of pretty knitting as usual, and i love your Angel ornaments very much - adorable and pretty!

Siobhán said...

What a cute little package you've put together, Staci! What lucky recipients. :)

Cocoa and mint... yumm. Would you believe that candy canes are hard to come by here? I know, go figure!

Kajsa said...

Great tutorials! I'm so tempted to try some sock knitting, yours look fab!

yolande said...

Hum cela donne envie d'y goûter à ce chocolat!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you!!