The Eyes Have It.

Is everyone all set for Christmas? I think I'm finally getting there! Most of my presents are bought and wrapped. Mostly now, I'm waiting for UPS and the Post Office! One of my other tasks this year was to make a Christmas stocking for little Marty. Way back in 1973, I started knitting stockings for all the children in my family, nieces, nephews, sons, grandsons. The pattern is an old Mary Maxim that had a Santa, a reindeer and a snowman. As each child has come along, I've knit a different design. The trick, at least with my grandsons, was to make something that they liked and not just seasonal! Jack's stocking has a zebra and Mickey's stocking has a train. We waited a year to see what Marty might be interested and his mom made two suggestions: a panda or a goldfish. I decided to go with the panda. I thought it might be a little easier to draw and thus, knit. It wasn't. I've struggled with the eyes so much. After five attempts, this is what the first one looked like:

He's okay, I guess, but I decided that he really looked like he had two black eyes, and NOT in a good way! Reluctantly, I ripped them out yet again, and this time I think I've got it.

I even decided to do a couple of stitches to try to define the neck. I'm sure Marty will like it. This year anyway. Next year, I fully expect him to be talking and then I might have a request for something else! In any event, we're covered for Santa this year and just in the "nick" of time!

I hope that all of you who celebrate Christmas will have a very merry one. A huge thank you to everyone for all your kind comments and good wishes. I have some really cute new designs coming up next year and I look forward to sharing them all with you!