It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Ignore the creepy (but cool!) Mayan dude in the background - he graces our mantle year-round.

In between making Christmas cookies and dragging a twelve foot tree into the house (rather unceremoniously and at too late an hour, I might add), I've been knitting away at little Christmas goodies.

To make the fuzzy blue sweater, I used remnants of GGH Esprit from my swirt. To make your own, follow my pattern in the entry below, but cast on 18 sts for the body rather than 22. (The arms still require 7 sts).

To make the bright red sweater, I used Karabella Aurora 8 and followed the original pattern, but switched to k1 p1 rib at the neck and then sewed on a star pattern at the end.

It was so cute that I thought Townie might need a matching accessory:

Doesn't he look adorable in his Christmas collar?

Last, but definitely not least, I have been gathering up my hand-knitted hats for donation to Veterans via Lisa's Blog. I check in on Lisa pretty often and was feeling very sad that I didn't have much free time to knit caps for the cause with all the ornaments that I have been making for family and friends. Then I had a thought. I have knit many hats. More hats, in fact, than two people can wear. So I looked through my closet and pulled down two hats that seemed suitable. Even without real time to devote, I can at least do something for a an individual who was willing to risk his or her life for me. I'm not a believer in this war, but I will always be a believer in our troops. They deserve far more than we give them. So knit a hat, or re-discover one, and send it to Lisa (if you leave her a comment she will send you her address.) Remember that any gesture is better than none, and it stays cold both before and after Christmas.

**Note for Blythe Doll Fans: Despite not knowing what a Blythe Doll is I am happy to accomodate you with measurements: The sweaters are 2.5 inches wide (circumference of just under 5 inches) by 3.5 inches tall, with a neck opening that is 2 inches wide (just under 4 inch circumference). They vary from these measuements a little depending on what yarn you choose. For a bigger size, go fatter on the yarn.
In return, you must promise to send me a picture of Blythe in her minisweater. That would rock my world!