Hats Off To You

Maybe it’s because in the early mornings when I take Rogue out to potty, the air is crisp, clean and a bit nippy. Or maybe it’s because in the evenings, when you are just trying to take in all the stars and moon, you can see your warm breath dissipate as though it never existed. But something, and I really can’t pinpoint the exact moment, has caused me to take up the needles and knit hats.

Not one. Not two. But, three hats.

The thing about it is, I don’t wear hats. But I do now.

Now it’s {a black pepper} Golden Autumn Hat

Blue Autumn

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed in Duck Egg, approximately 1 3/4 skeins

Needles: US 3 and 4’s

Mods: The only modification I made on this hat was to do one repeat less than the pattern recommends. I knit four repeats and have plenty of extra room for my hair. And, of course, there is a bit of slouch. Thus, only needing three quarters of that second skein.

I’m thinking I can make a smaller version for Scout. After all, she loves hats. And she wears them. With pride.

Done, Done, Done

Done.

Wrapping things up feels so good. I feel so accomplished. I should be received a Gold Medal any day now.

I’ve made some adjustments in my life.

• Spend less time on the computer. Check.
• Watch less television. Check.
• Spend more time reading the books in my library queue. Check.
• Stick to my Slim Fast diet. Check.
• Go outside more often. Check.
• Write in my journal more often. Check.
• Finish up all those WIP’s. Almost check.

Yes. Almost.

Project #1: Slow going. (No pun intended.)

Sheldon the Turtle

Yarn: KnitPicks Green Apple and Grass

Needles: US 3’s and 4’s, Crochet Hook US C

Notions: 8mm black safety eyes

Project #2: The stashbuster.

Feather Cable Cowl

Yarn: Karabella Margrite, I only had one skein of this but wanted to use it for something. I ended up doing 6 repeats of the pattern instead of 8 repeats.

Project #3: A gift.

Pattern: Baby Chalice Blanket

Yarn: Red Heart Eco Ways in Aquarium, took about three skeins to get a blanket that measures approximately 34 x 38.

Now I can get back to my regularly sheduled program. Cause I am done.

A Remedy

Sage Remedy, that is.

I finished up my little sweater last night with less than desirable results. Don’t get me wrong, the sweater is absolutely gorgeous. It’s insanely soft. It’s lightweight, so it will be perfect for any type of weather Southern California can come up with. The color is both neutral and simple. But the fitting, well I found the pattern’s schematics to be a little off. Then again, I had problems with the pattern to begin with (I wasn’t sent the second, revised, pattern when I purchased it) so maybe I’m just a little disappointed with that to begin with.

However, I digress. I will wear this sweater. And if it doesn’t fit quite the way I want it to, well who cares? Really. And in the end I can always lose weight to make it fit, right? There’s looking at the sunny side of things!

{The back lace panel.}

{The front.}

{The Fan and Feather lace panel on the bodice.}

Would I knit this again? Absolutely. Would I make changes? You betchya. I would most definitely lengthen the sweater by at least two inches. (I’m 5’8″ and for me I like my sweaters to cover the waistbands on my pants/jeans.)  I would have picked up more stitches for a larger sleeve as well. I would probably knit this on larger needles, should I use the same yarn. I would most definitely use the Invernal again. Mmm, angora and merino wool. You can’t go wrong.

Nope, you can’t go wrong.

Boiling Water

A pot. And this little guy.

He probably wouldn’t be very tasty, as faras acrylic crabs go. But he’d be an awfully cute friend, me thinks.

Something New

Aside from my UFO’s I seem to have started something new. I’ve been rotating my projects and I have seen a lot of progress. I decided to get a head start on my Christmas cards. Even though I don’t send out very many, I like to make mine by hand and get them out the first week of December. Done and done!

You can check out my Flickr to see the other designs. I used some Christmas themed papers I found at Beverly’s, then I machine sewed around the edges. All the embellishments are stuff I had in meager stash. I love when I don’t have to go out and buy a bunch of stuff for a small project like this.

I also started a jacket for Scout using my Dream in Color Ring a Ling which may pose a problem because it’s such a hard color to find and there doesn’t seem to be too many people out there willing to give it up! Yikes! But I’m gonna chug along and see what I can do. If all else fails I will frog and make myself a pair of socks.

You can see why it’s such a coveted color, right?

And because I had the sewing machine on for the cards I decided to cut up some fabric and make myself an Easy Lap Quilt like the one I just finished.

All the fabric but one is from Heather Ross’ Medocino line. I actually finished up the quilt top last night. It’s about 45″ wide, perfect to throw on your lap. I have to find some backing fabric though. I am going to use the remains to do the binding so it will be pretty colorful on the edges. I just love the whimsical type fish.