Christmas Tree-fecta

Many things are clamoring for attention today, so I'll get right to the point.

Christmas trees were at the heart of this year's holiday knitting and decorating theme. At times, it's been difficult to see the forest for the trees, but the end result has been satisfying. Many have been given as gifts, and others are winging their way to distant parts of the country. 

A few stragglers are still blocking, but overall the Holiday Knitting KISS Plan has worked rather well. The weather's been gloomy and gray and I've been focused on knitting, finishing, blocking and wrapping, so there are just a few quick WIP snapshots to share.

By the time Christmas arrived, the essential gifts were wrapped and ready. Luckily I had a few extras prepared, because an unexpected child joined our celebration and without the little trees, he would have been the only kid without a gift to open.

Pint-sized trees made with velvety soft Touch Me chenille were a huge hit. They're all gone, except for the lone example below. There's a little chenille left, so a few more may find their way onto the needles. (We'll see.)

The trees made with cotton-wool blends such as Cotton Fleece and Four Seasons aren't as silky, but they hold their own appeal and function well as ornaments, mug mats, coasters and hotpads. This shot shows a short stack waiting patiently for final finishing and blocking.

The trees made with soft merino combine the best of both worlds, and as an added plus, the ones featuring bulky yarn and large needles work up quickly.

The small versions look charming on the Christmas tree and dangling from cupboard, closet and door knobs throughout the house. The mid-range sizes are perfect as coasters, mug mats, dish cloths and hotpads, while the largest ones function as table toppers, placemats and more.

As this year and the Great Christmas Tree-fecta wind to a close, I'm eager to set my sights on the horizon ahead. I'm working now to pinpoint top priorities (knitting and otherwise) and develop a broad plan of action, with the hope of being somewhat prepared to welcome this bright and promising New Year.

Happy New Year one and all! Have a joyful week filled with family, friends, fun and fiber, and I'll look forward to seeing you next year.


UPDATE
The Christmas Tree pattern has been released!
To buy it now, click here.
To read more about it, click here.