Holiday Stashdown Challenge, Week 6

(Join along with me any time if you need a head start or moral support for your holiday crafting. You can read more details here.)

So I’ve been at this challenge for six weeks and it’s time to take stock and see what’s been accomplished.  I have just two projects finished but I have several more in progress, which isn’t bad considering I have about 5 months to go before my deadline!

Finished projects

• Cabled hat for Dad – Cascade 220 Superwash (from stash) ~220 yds – A Hat Fit for a Fella pattern by Shana Kreikemeier
• Cabled hat for JP – Malabrigo Rios (from stash) ~145 yds – my own design

Started projects

• Vintage Hexagon Christmas Stocking by Christy Hall in stash acrylic yarn – I decided to make this stocking for four of the men on my dad’s side of the family.  After trying it out, I realized that I don’t love the hexagon pattern, but I do appreciate the construction diagram.  So I’ve actually been making hexagons from other patterns.  To date, I’ve finished 5 of the 17 I need for one stocking.  Once the first one is assembled, I’ll decide if I want to continue with the other three stockings or if I’ll need a backup plan.
  

  This is my favorite hexagon so far, using the Motif 35 pattern from Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs.

 

• A cabled hat for my Dad’s partner in The Nude Ewe Ron - I’ve picked out three cable stitch patterns and I’ve just started swatching using this beautiful, undyed yarn I received in the Blog Hub Swap this spring.
  

  This yarn has to be made into something special.

• Pineapple Doily Shawl by Laura Garsten in Galler Yarns Hirten-Tweed - This project will likely end up being for my mom, since the yarn is originally from my grandmother and I think she will cherish it the most.

Chosen projects

• Lala the Panda by Stacey Trock in stash acrylic yarn –  This is for my little cousin, CJ.  I have the yarn identified, safety eyes, the stuffing, and, of course, the pattern, but I don’t plan to start it until some time in the summer.
• Something using these slipper soles for my sister.  I bought these slipper soles in her size last year, so I’d like to make something using them this year.

The rest of my list

There are quite a few more people on the list.  I will definitely make gifts for the women in my dad’s family (the first three on the list), even if it is just a repeat of my washcloths from last year.

If I work through at least 5 skeins of yarn from my stash, I will buy some charcoal superwash wool yarn to make a hat for MC.  As for everyone else, I don’t have a plan yet.

1. Grandma
2. Aunt I
3. Cousin MS
4. MC, my special guy
5. OB, my crafting buddy and exercise cheerleader
6. JS, my other crafting buddy
7. CG, my BFF from high school
8. Aunt K
9. Uncle T
10. RP, colleague and work buddy for the last four years
11. CA, my other colleague and work buddy for the last four years
12. JM, another BFF from high school
13. My cat
14. Mom’s dog
15. Dad’s cat

I know my list is too long but I’ll just stop making gifts and start buying as I get closer to my deadline .  I feel pretty good about what I’ve accomplished so far during the challenge and I’m happy to have more reasons to work through my stash.  My dream is to reduce it enough that I can buy new yarn guilt-free!

One thing that helps is that I’m pretty sure my family and friends don’t read my blog regularly.  I know they occasionally stop by via my Facebook page, but in general I can post freely about my projects and my stumbling blocks without worrying that I’m providing holiday gift spoilers.  I know that some other bloggers have to be super secretive about their projects.

Confession time: I’m drawing a blank for a prompt for next week.  So if you are joining along in the Challenge, perhaps you can suggest what we should share in our post next week?

Tags: 2012 holiday stashdown challenge, a hat fit for a fella, arrakis, cables, cascade 220 superwash, cascade yarns, christy hall, crochet, destash, hexagon, holiday crafting, knitting, lala the panda, laura garsten, malabrigo, malabrigo rios, nude ewe ron, pineapple doily shawl, shana kreikemeier, slipper socks, stacey trock, surmount the stash 2012, the nude ewe, vintage hexagon christmas stocking