If you're still in Christmas knitting hell, may I suggest soap bags? One bag can be done in about an hour. You buy some posh soap, like from Floris. Some nice ribbon, from Liberty. Using oddments of cotton, this was left over from the Star Bag that I did.
and voila!
Should you feel super ambitious, you can even do a matching wash cloth. What I like about this, is that it's fast, easy to adapt and adds a personal touch to soap bought present, I mean anyone can go out and buy some nice soap, but it takes a knitter to make it this special.
And btw, did you know that Posh originated from travels to the East? Port out, starboard home, were the most desirable location on the boat out to India and back to home. Amazing the things you can learn from the Greenwich Maritime Museum.
Just found your blog... I like it. And I love the knitted sopa bag idea! I might have to get knitting quick.
Jess
Posted by: jess at December 9, 2004 09:44 AMVery cute, Polly! I've made these in a feather and fan pattern with Louet Euroflax linen yarn. The linen really softens up after it's used a couple of times.
Posted by: Susan at December 6, 2004 03:31 PMThat's so pretty Polly - you must have some very grateful gift recipients round your way at Christmas time !
Posted by: Heather at December 6, 2004 10:47 AMOooh. That's very clever! Thanks for the tip!
Posted by: Jean at December 4, 2004 02:10 PMOh no! Another quick knit present! I've decided that I might have time to knit some work gifts, if I can bear putting of my real knitting for another week or so.
I asked Mr Font of all Knowledge if he knew where posh originated from, and he did (along with a little ditty)
Dawn :)
Posted by: dawn at December 3, 2004 10:02 PMFYI: Here's the link to BruxKnits: http://bruxknits.motime.com/. The Kay and Ann washcloth patterns are in Brooks' 'Free Patterns' links on the left sidebar. When you pull up the pattern PDF, scroll down and you will see how cute it is when it is in Soap Bag Mode. Happy happy! xoxo Kay
Posted by: Kay at December 3, 2004 09:01 PMFabby fabby idea! Think of all those sweet smelling soaps, and all those sweetheart teachers, etc. Even if they don't like knitting, they like soap from Aveda or other posh spots. Over at BruxKnits, Brooks has a free pattern for a soap bag that is also a washcloth (you tie a ribbon through the eyelets of the washcloth and it makes a soap bag/wrapper). This free pattern, By the Way, is called 'KAY'! Yay!
The Posh derivation is new to me. Funny, it always seemed to me that posh was one of those words that SOUNDED like what it meant; so it never occurred to me to wonder where it came from. 'Posh' sounds so soft and cushy, like the lives of the Perpetually Posh.
Always a tidbit here, or a handful. love, Kay
Posted by: Kay at December 3, 2004 08:56 PMAww, that's a cute idea! I may have to give it a go.
Thanks for the Posh trivia -- I love nautical references, and this one is new to me. Made my day! (yes, I'm a geek.)
Posted by: Ann at December 3, 2004 07:38 PMWhat a fantastic idea Polly, it makes special soap even more so.
Posted by: Louise at December 3, 2004 01:14 PMThank you for the original idea!!
Posted by: Marta at December 3, 2004 08:31 AMWhat a brill idea!!
Posted by: Jacinta at December 3, 2004 06:58 AMBrilliant idea! Just what I need right now a nice little diversion away from "sleeve island" that I am stuck on with 'Sophie" :(
Posted by: Lydia at December 3, 2004 06:12 AMgood idea...i've been busy on my x'mas knitting scarves.
Posted by: marjorie at December 3, 2004 06:06 AMThanks for the idea, Polly. And also for Kiri, I have some Cherry Tree Lace which I might use for this lovely shawl.
Thanks
I LOVE it! I wasn't going to do any x-mas knitting, but now I just might have to.
Posted by: valentina at December 3, 2004 01:57 AM