You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch!

Here's how our night began...

And here's how it ending...

Notice, there's no divorce papers next to the book!  That's because if you look at the first picture, it's a very lovely, but very fake Christmas tree.  I believe that this is the secret to our holiday sanity.  There was once a time when I thought it was quaint & romantic to have a real tree.  And we did that for a number of years, until I swore to SK that I would never again visit the Tree Farm with him again.  I'm pretty sure I threw the "Dead Body" card.  I'm pretty sure there was a very festive "fuck" thrown in.  I'm also pretty sure that it was in front of a very happy 2.5 family that was sipping fresh hot chocolate while dragging the perfect tree to their hybrid station wagon.

So the tree is semi-up (SK is still tweaking), the lights have been tested, & the holiday books are starting to show up.  I couldn't resist picking up Twas the Night Before Christmas again.  This is our 3rd copy, but how can anyone resist Gyo Fujikawa illustrations?  This time Thursday night, our house will look like a geeky Christmas threw up all of it.  I once thought that I'd love a very matchy holiday house.  That got tossed when SK & I started living together.  Geek meets Homemade is what Nate Berkus would call our style.  SK brings the Geek (Star Wars, G.I. Joe, & Super heroes) & I bring the Homemade.

This advent calendar has been in the works for a long time.  Almost all of the little socks are a result of some larger socks.  #8 is Vesper in the Knit n Tonic color.  This was my first web purchase & the color was inspired by one of my blog reads.  Oh how we've changed...  #7 is from Yarn Love & was purchased this summer when I was barely pregnant.  Anyone who says, "You can't be barely pregnant.  You either are or aren't"  is full of shit.  I wasn't sprouting elbows from my belly, so I was barely pregnant.  I bought the yarn because its name is Fancy & I want that song on loop at my funeral.  It is also the only little sock that doesn't have a big sister pair.  Let's say, it doesn't knit up to its name.  Too much like Care Bear puke.

I've filled each sock with only a couple options this year.  We've got some little animals, stickers, a couple of cars, & a few chocolates.  Next year I'll get more creative on the fillers, but I just wanted the sucker done.  I didn't envision string it up, but this is what it is.  I really wanted to have a panel that we could hang on a door.  Each stocking would be clipped into place & then removed each morning.  I started that damned panel, but I knew it wouldn't work.  The clips were difficult to use & the loot might be heavy for the panel.  In the end, I'm happy with the pom-pom garland look.  Adds more whimsy to our front room & it saves me from having to create pom-pom garland for the tree.

These two are my favorite socks of the bunch.  Both are made from BMFA left-overs.  There's a little G-Rocks, Lucy, & something Ava tossed in.  I was so satisfied that I didn't have to waste any of this yarn.  My little socks are done toe-up on Addi's 1.  I did a Magic Cast-on of 12 stitches & then increased to 28 stitches.  Knit plain for 3 inches & completed a short-row heel.  I got creative with the leg & knit for a total of 3 inches.  Used an EZ bind-off & tossed it in my Stocking basket.  That's it.

I owe Ava a huge "Thank you!"  She traded on Raverly & shipped me her trade.  How can you not love a sister that send you this package?

And already separated into 2 perfect balls?!  As soon as Geeky Christmas is set-up, I'm going to start a pair in honor of the Buckeye's upcoming BIG game.  I'm also thinking that I may need something mindless for the delivery room.  Please don't let me go into labor during the game!  Maybe it'd score me some drugs faster and that's the important thing.
-Lola

Comments

[Ava]

I didn't send the yarn, sweet cheeks! Go on Ravelry and thank craftymands since she a) had it caked and b) shipped it. You know me . . . it would have been next year if I shipped it to you. The "extra" that I threw in was in Puck's Mischief, by the way, and the advent socks look adorable. Veronica thinks you are wacky (said so herself).

[Sarah]

So. Flippin'. Cute. Such an awesome idea for an advent calendar! I feel so lame, I haven't decorated at all.

[Betty]

I didn't know where your advent calendar was hanging... we don't have one, and we also haven't really decorated for christmas in about 3 years (excluding last year, when I made the yarn garland, which looked nice despite mom/Ava).

[Lauren]

That's adorable. I thought about making mitten garland but I don't have the fortitude. Maybe some day. Until then, I'll admire yours from here!

Go Bucks
Lo

[amy]

that advent is such a fab idea. what a lot of work. it looks great!

[Amanda]

Yay! The yarn got there! :)

I'm glad you like it. DH decided he liked the Claudia Handpaints Buckeye colorway better and so off my Buckeye yarn went winging to Columbus and a good home. ;0)

[kelly jo]

I adore the advent calendar! I might steal your idea (if you don't mind of course!). I thought about doing mittens too. Maybe I'll mix it up and do both, so I don't completely steal your idea!