The frenzy is starting to result in some finished knits.

Let's kick off this weeks knitting parade with a Gilet Courtenay.

A pattern by La Droguerie knitted in the 6 year old size. I used a mix of alpaga 'Aster' and plumette 'Chocolat Glacier'. The fine thread of kid mohair makes the whole thing fluffy and warm but still extremely light and airy.

However the recipient is most charmed by the heart shaped buttons on the front.

Personally I like the bubbled effect of the body. It's created by starting a regular 2/2 rib but every 6 needles you shift the ribs by 2 stitches. Simply put, after 6 needles you knit where you are supposed to purl and vice versa. Repeat this every 6 needles and hey presto bubbled emerge.

On to number two! Tomorrow I think...

Right, I still owe you a post on my secret santa adventure.

Remember how I took part in a local secret santa initiative. Well,I sent off my Russian pillow to Buddykids. In return on a cold winter evening I came back home to find a big box on my doorstep. Tante Tweet was so kind to send it over and this is what I found inside...

A pile of books, a cherry pit pillow to keep my cold feet company (oops, just realized it isn't in the picture, but I'm sure you all what I'm on about) and a home made birdhouse. Thank you so much Tante Tweet!

I just absolutely love that birdhouse. Ever since it moved in, I'm wondering and pondering where to put it up in the garden. It's rather essential that you get that right if you want it to ever get inhabited. And that's exactly what I'm aiming for... for my little red robin to make it his home...

And then that would look something like this

I could just sit and look at it all day...

When one has little children or husbands, one knows that one's table should be protected at all times when breakfast, lunch or dinner is being served. If not, you'll end up with a mess. A terrible mess. And people will, on seeing this mess, point out to you, very eagerly, that you should protect your table from it.

"Use a table cloth" they will say.

But then I say "I'd rather not cause when one child pulls at it from end of the table, all that's on there will come flying of the other end. And then I won't have a messy table but a messy carpet and that's potentially even worse."

"Then use some placemats" they will say.

And they are absolutely right.

Our old ones had gotten really grubby and sticky and yucky so I made some new ones for the little ones over the holiday. This is how they look...

I started from the town scene of the middle section of fabric and worked my way around it in patchwork with leftover fabrics that combined well and would appeal to the girls. On the right side I included a divided pocket in which they can put their clean cutlery when setting the table. The bigger flowery square is the ideal place for their drinking cup. The mats have a solid backing in corduroy, a heavy batting and have been quilted right through. The binding was stitched on by hand in order to avoid any stitching and seams. They measure in at about 38 by 46 cm.

And most importantly, they cheer up our table rather well!

Children and husband kicked off the year in style and spent some time with our camera making a stop motion film.

From all of us to all of you "A happy happy New Year". Spend it well!