Churning out the gifts

Meeting deadlines left and right! Here are before and after fulling photos of a little bag for DD's Spanish teacher, Peruvian Highlands Wool. Cast on the edge of the envelope flap, did a ridge of garter, then did turning-heelesque short rows with wraps to make the V. Did some rows of reverse stockinette to make the flap fold down on its own. Cast on more for the front of the bag, did a bit of garter to keep the front from curling, increased a few sts on each side to give the bag a nicer shape, then decreased twice that in stages at the bottom, 3-needle bind-off, mattress stitched the one side seam. Cable plied 6 strands tightly for the strap and lashed it to each side. Once through the laundry in a mesh bag with a dark load. We'll probably add some beads, perhaps a toggle and loop for the flap. It depends on whether DD has a lot of homework or has time to dive in the stash and find the perfect beads.

A star hat for DD's English teacher. Wool-ease (I doubt he's laundry savvy), a bit short because he has a lot of metal on his ears, an intricately cabled crown to make it interesting, but a subtle color so he'll actually wear it.