I didn't have a lot of time to devote to handmade gifts this holiday season, but I did manage a few. First up is a mug rug with a sweet foundation paper-pieced butterfly that I made for a mug rug swap at my quilt guild's holiday party.
The butterfly block is one of 3 free patterns from Lilyella Stitchery, her butterfly charm blocks available here. It was the perfect charm (5") size to frame out and turn into a rectangle mug rug. I did some simple walking foot quilting and was happy with the result. I thought the dark teal scrap fabric background was interesting but also set the butterfly off nicely.
The other gifts I made for two friends took a little (a lot) longer. I learned how to knit socks in 2020, and these make pairs #5 and #6. I finished the purple pair around June and started the black and white pair in July on a road trip to Florida for a family Disney cruise. Both are made with Patons Kroy sock yarn and a go-to basic ribbed sock pattern that I found on Ravelry. I used my acrylic sock blockers for the first time and was happy with the shape they gave the socks. I'll use them again on a pair for myself and see if I notice any difference in how they fit or wear.
