Return of the Tacky Sweater

by Melissa // December 18, 2013 // No Comments

You remember the Tacky Christmas Sweater my husband wore to the church Christmas party last year, right? Well, last night was this years’ party and we stepped up once again in the name of tacky and hilarious cheer. Behold: the Tacky Christmas Sweater 2.0:

I used the same basic pattern for the sweater base as I did last year with a few modifications (for example, I added two or three inches to each sleeve so that when he pulled his arms up more would stay covered). The rest was easy: a glue gun, some garland, pompoms, and two strands of battery-operated LED Christmas lights. Oh, and some cardboard from a cereal box, with more garland wrapped and glued around it as the star.

We won first place again! It’s almost as though no one else…is as crazy…as…we are…hum. Something to think about.

Anyway, we’re already planning something different for next year, because this ended up feeling really similar to last year’s sweater, and we can’t have that.

Christmas Earrings in a Flash

by Melissa // December 12, 2013 // 2 Comments

So, I found these cute little Christmas light ‘buttons’ (findings? not really button buttons) at Joanns, and I bought them because they were the perfect size and setup for earrings. Really fast, really cute, really easy earrings.

Here’s what you need:

Earwires
Round nosed pliers
‘Light bulb’ “buttons”

Estimated Time Required: 5 minutes or less

Using pliers, open the ring at the bottom of the earwire. (Do not “unroll” the wire loop, twist it forwards.) Hook the bulb onto the loop and twist it back into position. Repeat for as many earrings as you like! These are so fast, easy, pretty, and inexpensive that they would make great gifts or Christmas party favors. I love them!

Totally Tubular

by Melissa // December 11, 2013 // 2 Comments

Have you ever built a chicken coop when it’s 20 degrees outside? It is really unpleasant. I was helping my husband construct our chicken fortifications in frigid winds and freezing my face off when I said to him, “Man, I really need a tube.”

“…A what?”

“A tube, you know. A tube. It goes over your mouth and nose so you can breathe when it’s this cold.”

“Huh.”

“It’s a thing. Tubes are awesome.”

“Right.”

They are, too.

Tommy was not skeptical at all when presented with a tube and, in fact, claims it makes him look like a ninja. Plus, he can use it to warm up his ears.

A tube is basically a cowl, but a snug, stretchy face-cowl instead of a drapey, elegant neck-cowl. I made mine in seed stitch ribbing for interest and a gentle pull in. This is not rocket science.

Let’s do this thing.

Tubular

Sizes: Toddler, Child, Adult

Measurements:
Circumference: 17″ (19″, 22″)
Length: 6″ (7″, 9″)

Materials

Lion Brand Wool-Ease [80% Acrylic, 20% Wool; 197yd/180m per 3oz/85g skein] Ranch Red; 65-125 yds
8/5mm circular needle, 16″ long (OR set of 4 8/5mm double-point needles)
Tapestry Needle

Directions:

Using a cable cast on, co 72 (80, 92) and join into round, being careful not to twist.

Round 1: K around.
Round 2: [K3, p1] around.

Repeat rows 1 an 2 for patt. until 6 (7, 9) inches long. Cast off, weave in ends.

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