It is our tradition for many years now to go to friends for New Years. Aside from food and drink and a general good time, we always have a white elephant gift exchange. This year I actually had items that I had received that I could pass on, no need to buy some silly trinket.
But of course I had to decorate gifts with my personal touch. None of us expect anything wonderful, this year people stole the gifts that included coffee or tea, no one was interested in hand creams.
I stole these salt and pepper shakers, only to find out that the person who brought them was hoping that I’d go home with them.
What have I been doing? Knitting of course. 
Joel asked for another pair of socks, he loves wearing them around the house. As long as he uses them, I’m happy.
Shira asked me for a scarf. Her color choices, purple and pink. All I had was a variegated purple yarn.
The only reason I’m swatching for a scarf is to see if I like the pattern. Something I found on Revelry of course. Spectacular Single Skein Scarf, this really is a fun knit, another friend used this pattern and blocked it out to form a lacy scarf.
I like how both sides have this diagonal look. Of course it knit up very quickly. I didn’t want to make it too long, so I didn’t even use up the whole skein.
The variegated yarn creates such interesting patterns.
Artistic display.
Of course what really matters is a very happy little girl with her brand new scarf.
She had to wear it to the playground and tell everyone that she just got a new scarf. Which simply guarantees that she will get many more handmade gifts.