Birthday and Christmas Knitting

I think I mentioned in my previous post that I was working on a cowl using sock yarn left over from previous projects. Here is the finished cowl:

I'm very happy with how it turned out. I did indeed send it to a friend for her birthday (which is today), and she loves it. Now we just need the weather in Chicago to cool down so she can actually wear it.

I have gotten a jump-start on my Christmas knitting. Yesterday I finished work on a Christmas stocking for my new niece, who was born in June.

Isn't that gorgeous? I can't wait to give it to her parents. The yarn is Cascade 220 and the pattern is from the second Mason-Dixon Knitting book. They are currently selling the pattern and yarn as a kit on their website. (I'm not affiliated with them, just a long-time reader and customer.)

I'm working on another cowl using leftover sock yarn that I will probably keep for myself. We'll see how it turns out. Then I want to do some more Christmas knitting, including a hat and maybe a toy for my niece.