Yes, I'm still here

Sorry, my pets, I have not gotten back to this since I came back from my vacation.  I know from the statistics that are available that hardly anybody ever checks this, so I don't feel that badly about depriving you, since you seem not to exist, but I will try to keep this up for anybody who is interested.

What have I been doing since May?  Much knitting and crocheting, and by late October or early November I hit 60 items finished for the Warm and Fuzzy Fundraiser, so I let myself stop that and work on a few things for my kids and myself.  In addition to the stuff I made and that some of the Yarnworks clan donated, other people at my work brought in another 60ish handmade items for the fundraiser, which was held on Dec. 7, 2016.  All of that, plus the bake sale, plus random donations, added up to $4183 for Mercer Street Friends.  Higher than last year, but not by as much as I would have hoped.

Maybe you can help me decide where to put my yarn energies for next year.  I put the items I made into categories, like "hat" and "blanket", leaving out a few random things, then counted up the number of bids and the number of dollars by category, then found the average per item to see what brought in the most.  Here's how it broke down:

average bids per item:
Toy 4.84
Mitts 3.75
Cowl 2.33
Scarf 2.17
Hat 2.1
Blanket 6.5
Bag 2.8
Shawl 1.3

average dollars per item:
Toy 32.36
Mitts 26.25
Cowl 21.67
Scarf 21.67
Hat 11.70
Blanket 167.50
Bag 32.40
Shawl 35.00

So blankets obviously brought in the most in terms of both bids and dollars, with toys also high in both.  After that it's more complicated.  Shawls, I have noticed, attract few bids but those who want them, want them.  Bags brought in decent amounts, but are usually a booger to make if they need felting and lining and handles.  Mitts (mostly fingerless, but some full mittens) did well enough.  Neckwear (cowls and scarves) were lukewarm, no pun intended.  And hats didn't bring in much money each.  One guy bid on all of the baby and child hats, but adult hats weren't going.

So toys, blankets, and bags seem to bring in the most, but also take much time, yarn, and effort.  Scarves, cowls, and shawls can be fun, but don't get as much interest.  Maybe stick to children's hats?  More fingerless mitts, some fair isle scandinavian style mittens?  I have already completed a lap blanket and a cowl for 2017, currently working on a baby blanket and scarf.  I have yarn and patterns bought for these bunnies, these mittens,  this shawl,  this shawl, and this blanket, among others.  What else would you suggest?