Handmade Gifts

Recently I watched one of those celebrity profiles on Martha Stewart. It wasn't watching closely, really. It was on in the background as I worked on crocheting more gifts, but it reminded me of the first time I encountered her books. I was planning for my first wedding in the early 90's at the age of 19 or so (just to clarify, this wedding never actually happened because I called it off just a scant two months before the date, right before the invitations were to be mailed). Anyway, as I was still in the planning stages I checked out Weddings by Martha Stewart, and pored over the photos and descriptions weddings. This was before "Martha" became a brand name and I had never heard of her. I had never been to a wedding that even remotely resembled those in the book. Most wedding receptions I had been to were in either 1) a church basement, 2) a city hall, or 3) a bowling alley. There's nothing wrong with that (who hasn't had the urge to bowl a few frames in dress clothes?), but these were not the type of weddings that Martha Stewart attended.

Ironically, Martha Stewart may have helped bring on the latest crafting craze, which made the pastimes of us country folk (with our receptions in bowling alleys and such) cool again. Whatever the reason, handmade gifts are now all the rage and this makes me happy. It has also made my holiday list of gifts to make much too long, which explains why I haven't posted in awhile. I am still working on a couple Christmas gifts, as well as birthday and baby gifts. Now that I'm in the gift-making zone, there's no stopping me! Here is one FO that I actually finished and mailed off in time.



Yarn: Misti Baby Alpaca Chunky in color M707 "copper melange"
Pattern: this free one
Changes: I made it a lot longer than the pattern called for, around 60 inches long, and used a smaller needle.
Yardage: approximately 150 yards (one and half hanks)
Needle: US size 11
Notes: This pattern is easy and fun. The ruffle is not too girly, but still interesting, and the rib works well with the yarn.