FO Friday - A Hat

I feel like a terrible knitter sometimes. All of a sudden, winter weather is coming on strong and my kids still did not have proper winter hats! I did make the Lorax a hat back in November with sparkly purple yarn she chose (Kollage Glisten), but I was impatient in getting to the crown decreases. The result was a hat that really didn't fit. See?








She did wear it outside for some snow action last week, so I'm pleased that she actually wore it, but it wasn't going to cut it. Winter is here for the next few months. I can do better!
Hey look, there's the Regular Guy Beanie I made Dan - also in action!










A bit of stash diving turned up a magenta skein of Vicki Howell's Sheep(ish) yarn, one of the Lorax's favorite colors. A bit of searching on Ravelry brought me to the Heel Stitch Hat, a free pattern from the Purl Bee.   The two played very nicely together I think. It fits, it's warm, and when we arrived at school one of the first things she said to a classmate was "Look at my new hat my mom knit for me!" Be still my heart. A picture of my child in something I knit and she's not in tears? AND she spoke of it with pride to another kid? Wow. This may be a turning point, but I won't hold my breath. Cheers to the first FO of 2013!

In addition to my other resolutions, I'm going to try and get this blog back on track with the link ups and such. Today, it's FO Fridays with Tami's Amis!

Pining for Rhinebeck

Oh Rhinebeck. We wait all year to go and then woosh! the weekend just flies by! I had a really great time and consider this year to be a big success. I went with a list and pretty much found what I was looking for: yarn from Green Mountain Spinnery to do a JETS hat (inspired by their modifications to the Icebreaker Hat), "breed specific" yarn (thank you Solitude Wool), and Bijou Spun Sport weight Yak Down yarn. I also received a yarn payment - the same dyelot in a sweater's worth of yarn from Good Karma Farm for the Charleston Tea project. The most fun though was the infamous Rhinebeck Hat! This year, our hats were individual interpretations of the Fiddlehead Hat. I made several tiny pandas for my hat, and tiny mermaids for Virginia's hat.

My hat base was a black sparkle "holiday" yarn with green sparkly fiddleheads to be a loose interpretation of bamboo. Virginia's hat was blue and sparkly with green sparkly fiddleheads for seaweed.

We made a point to find Miss Mochimochiland herself in the book signing area. I do have her newest book, which she was kind enough to sign. I think she liked our hats - she tweeted our picture! And now, it's back to reality. There have been several sleepless nights as Nate is teething, I'm trying to keep up in an online course I'm taking about web design, there's work stuff, and general life. But, I've got pretty yarn to squish and pet!

Yarn Along - May 9

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? ~ from small things 

Hurray! I finished all the knitting on the Summer Poncho sample. Ends are woven in and it is blocking out on my dining room table - you can see a bit of the lace in the photo. I have no idea as of yet how to shoot the FO - that one is a styling stumper to me. I will post more about it soon as it does deserve a post of its own! You can see I have two yarn cakes wound up and ready to go. The brown one is Manos del Uruguay Wool Classica - I was commissioned to knit a "Deer with Tiny Antlers Hat". That should be fun, as you know how I am with hats around here. The green is a skein of sportweight yarn from Romney Ridge Farm to be a shawl sample. This green is so so lovely - I am really anxious to get started on the All About Love pattern for this one. I spotted a free Kindle book last week or the week before and because it was about a dachshund, I had to grab it! Sasha, Extraordinary Dachshund - I am only a little bit in, but I like it - good pet stories always get me!

Hats (part 2)

On Wednesday there was a hat in progress in my "Yarn Along" photo. I mentioned it had me grumbling a bit. Why? This hat was intended to be for the little nutmeg - probably the last cutesy hat I can get on him before he is able to grab them off. I used a pattern I found on Ravelry for a "leprechaun" hat, and it even has a pattern for a beard! How cute! How silly! Then I started knitting it... how... big? Uh-oh. It may have been fairy mischief or, more likely, it was my own loose gauge. Anyway, I hoped that maybe I could get the Lorax to wear it for a photo or two.

It just may be a wee Irish miracle. Without prompting, she has twice proclaimed her love for this hat, wore it to school all day on Friday, and has said she wants to wear it every day. Have we turned a corner with the wearing of the knitting? Is a sweater in the works? Probably not yet, but this gives me a bit of hope.

Hats! (part 1)

When I first learned to knit, I made a lot of those fruit caps. They were easy, quick, and always got a big response. I still love to knit hats. Through facebook, the mom of one my friends got in touch with me, looking for hats for use in baby photography sessions. We talked about a few ideas, but in the end, she left all the choices up to me. Yay! And, uh-oh. Choosing patterns and colors is already hard enough! I think I made some good choices - I did subject the little nutmeg to modeling detail. He's still a pretty good sport!

Here is a Long Tail Pompom Pixie Hat - I liked this one for its use of the thick-and-thin bulky yarn. In this case, the yarn is Berroco Hip-Hop.


Again with the pompoms (because, pompoms are awesome!), this is the Snow Bunny Pom Hat, in Malabrigo (held double) and Lamb's Pride Bulky (I think).

Wouldn't you know that someone else wanted in on the photo session.



I'm thinking "Lorelai" is going to be his first word - that tongue is out all the time as if he's trying to make the "L" sound.

Spice Road Cap - Unwrapped

I feel like so many of my knitting projects lately have been under wraps, that is the way of it when you knit for others. One of the projects I recently test knit has been released, so I can share it here!
Presenting TECHknitter's Spice Road Cap:

Straight from the Ravelry pattern page:

Spice Road Cap is knit flat, all in one piece and shaped via short rows. Although the cap is seamed, there is no needle-and-thread sewing. Instead, the welt is constructed using slip stitches and the back seams by a three-needle-bind-off, while the lower brim is added by means of picked-up stitches.

I especially enjoyed knitting this hat with such a unique (and easy!) construction. The pattern is chock full of information about why you would use a technique or stitch (reminded me of the tv show "Good Eats"!). I used a hand-dyed worsted weight yarn from Romney Ridge Farm.

Christmas Knits

I have to say, I am quite pleased with myself and the gifts I knit for Christmas. There was no frantic weaving in of ends, and for the most part everything work as I intended it to. I found these great handmade gift labels to attach to each gift and include some care instructions on the backside. Each was received in the proper way, so I know I made good choices in knitting for the right people!

I made my first pair of thrummed mittens for my cousin. I found a kit at Rhinebeck this year that came with the yarn and fiber all together - I even went back to the Good Karma Farm booth to purchase a second kit and I do plan on making myself something thrummed because whoo-boy, they are warm and cozy!

I had to wing it a bit on the size, as my cousin told me she had small hands - but upon receipt she said they fit and really liked them, so that's a win!

I am so proud of crocheting my first wearable, the Cardiff Cowl, in Malabrigo Silky for my Godmother.

This was lovely right off the hook, and after a quick blocking it opened up even more. Win!

I also knit a cowl, Ptarmigan, a BrooklynTweed-Jared Flood design, for my sister-in-law.

The yarn is Delly's Delight - "Oh So Soft" 100% alpaca - that we actually both bought our first time at Rhinebeck together back in 2009. I have plenty left over and am seriously considering making this again, for myself. I really enjoyed knitting this and it was hard to wrap it up and give it away.

Keeping with my own tradition, I knit another Koolhaas this season. This one is for my Dad.

I obviously had some trouble getting a good picture of this one - the yarn is Cascade 220 superwash in a really nice chocolate brown.

I was going to make a Koolhaas for my brother as well, but after talking with his wife she told me he would be happier with a plain plain plain hat. After some back and forth for ideas she suggested the Regular Guy Beanie

I chose a slightly nicer yarn, Mountain Mohair from Green Mountain Spinnery, and enjoy the boringness of this hat pattern. My brother really liked it, so that's all that matters. Especially if it means he will wear it.

Now I am feeling the itch to cast on *ALL THE THINGS*! I do have a sample knit that I am working on and is my current #1 priority, but I've got a mental list going - earflap hat for me, earflap hat for Lorelai, new socks for Dan, next hat for Nate, hexipuffs (which I'm thinking I may switch gears and go hexi-flat and not stuff them). I was generously gifted several knitting books and a set of blocking wires so that only fuels the fire to knit more and knit faster!

Age old question

If a knitter knits some item, and leaves it lying around, will it get worn and used?
Yes.

Well, I'll be. I knit up this Moochie hat for the Lorax back when it seemed like winter was arriving early. She picked the pattern and the yarn, and when it was finished she wouldn't let me see how it fit. So I left it at our front hall near the coats and shoes. She went for a hike in the woods with her dad today and decided that she needed to wear her hat. This is a quick iphone photo from their hike, maybe I will be able to get a better shot later. I will take any photo I can get - and there are no tears! How far we have come! Yay!

So cloche, so far

Still here, still pregnant. I did go off to Rhode Island for the night with the Lorax and my mom - it was really nice to get to hang out near the beach and even go out to dinner and show with a few of my aunts. One of my cousins babysat the Lorax while we were out and I am so pleased that went off without a hitch, given that only grandparents have watched her when we have gone out! Makes me feel a bit better about dropping her off for "camp" next week :)

I finished up the cloche last night... I don't think I'm going to bother with the ribbon inside the bottom band or bother to look for a big old button either.

meh. I think I may try tossing it in the wash and then lining it so it can be a bowl instead.


I tried it on Jackson as well, but he really was in no mood for a photo shoot. Most of my photos look like this:


Lorelai is actually a pretty good assistant - she sat next to Jackson and held the hat on his head.


And I think she may be a budding photographer as well - after we took pictures of Jackson she wanted to take pictures of Dan wearing the hat. Luckily, he is a better sport than Jackson:


Oh well. It's done and I can move on to other projects.

Representing at Rhinebeck

I am so excited for the weekend - it time for NY Sheep & Wool a.k.a. Rhinebeck! I am going to be going with my favorite sister-in-law (how awesome is it that she is a knitter?! AND we discovered last year that we have similar shopping strategies!) - she and my brother live not too far, so I will be able to hang out with her, and then see my brother and stay with them (so nice not to have to think about driving back the same day or figuring hotels!). A mini-vacation for me!

Several of the gals at my SnB are planning to be there and they made hats so they can find each other easily. I want to be one of the cool kids too, so I made a hat. Seriously, why do people stress out over a "Rhinebeck Sweater"? Make a hat, your friends can find you! I might wear a handknit sweater, but I'm not sure of the weather yet and I think it will be easier to dress in layers (including my Ravelry shirt).

When I was making this hat (using Farmhouse Yarn's "Mary's Little Lamb Light Worsted" held doubled) I had more than one moment of panic - I really thought that it was going to be a Lorax sized hat, but thankfully it does stretch!

I did knit it flat, but did a three needle bind off to seam the top and quickly seamed up the side. I think I might have to wear pigtails to match to top tassles, though with the state of my hair now, when I do pig tails they look like cocker spaniel ears! This yarn is leftover from my Chickadee Cowl, and I still have 25grams left. I think this is the first time I have a matching set - hat & cowl! If it's chilly enough, I'll be wearing both!

If you're at Rhinebeck, you can spot me in the hat, or my knitting bag:

I would love to say "Hi!" I'll be keeping my eye out for several fellow knitters as well!

Of course, I can't have a finished object post without Jackson modeling!

Maybe I'll use the leftover yarn to make Jackson a new neckwarmer....

Crossing off that List (still checking it twice)

Yesterday was my mom's birthday, so we had my parents over for dinner. Works out well for us - the Lorax is in her own space, I've got some go-to / reliable recipes, and my mom gets treated :) I had made a pair of Holiday Mice, a Fuzzy Mitten pattern.


They were relatively quick, great for stashbusting (I used an assortment of wool/acrylic scraps) and the end result "Ooooooh. (Smile smile.) Bec you made these?" was entirely worth it. They stand up with some propping, though I noticed a Mousie project on Rav where the knitter used nuts for the bottom to help weigh him down, great idea!

I also made "Rolo Turtles" after seeing the recipe online at the Eat At Home blog. They are quick, easy and delicious! I will certainly make them again - and I will probably need to, because I know they will not last long! Rolos is not a candy I pick up often or notice out in the store, but I did find a bag of them at Stop and Shop!


I finished another knit gift yesterday too. Yesterday was really busy. So, I present (hah!) Koolhaas hat, another BrooklynTweed design, and total win. This is for one of my cousins (I don't think this particular cousin reads the blog), yarn is Ella Rae Amity - a wool / acrylic blend - sproingy and warm. I actually want to knit this again - and plan to - at least one for Dan, me and the lorax as well! I made the large size and it is big - I had to fold up the brim on me, and it is as big as my hand.



Something clicked for me while knitting this pattern - maybe it was the use of the LC / LPC / RPC abbreviations with the cables in the chart, but this chart made complete sense to me (even as a lefty) and it obviously worked, so I'm looking forward to more cable work, as soon as possible!

Today is a lay low day - we need to do a quick grocery errand, but otherwise I've got a full day ahead for a bit more knitting!

Birthday Nutshell

So now, I'm 30 plus 1. As my dad said to me on Saturday, having birthdays is much better than the alternative you know. Thanks dad. :) It was a really good birthday - I got to do a little bit of everything! And there's stuff to look forward to - like U2!!!! - September 20 cannot get here soon enough!

On Saturday I also went to a shower for a fellow knitter - it was such a nice event and how cool it was to be able to pull out the knitting and NO ONE thinks twice about it?! And to not be the only one knitting?! Good times!

I just wish I had taken more photos! I had a lot of fun knitting up a hat and puppet for the new baby.


I wish I could have stayed longer (these gals are a lot of fun to hang out with!) but I *had* to come home so we could head out for birthday dinner at Cafe Goodfellas - fantastic!

I was gifted gift certificates to the LYSs around here so I'll be project planning soon. I was also gifted a skein of Hudson Valley (Martha's Vineyard) Fiber Farm Yarn:

It's not so red, more raspberry-ish, but soft and gorgeous!

And yarn arrived in the mail! Adding to my sock yarn stash, Schaefer Yarn "Nichole" in Indigo, Sage and Bluebell:


And my "payment" from Lorna's Laces - yarn to make Sundog for Lorelai - Island Blue and Iris Garden.


I finished a pair of socks - Yarn Harlot's basic sock recipe, j.knits "Florida" colorway:

I really love how it knit up - I was a bit unsure about the skein - it was so bright!

Today, I got a birthday gift from Betsy - small sock appropriate stitch markers - for the decreases and "yo's" - I'm looking at doing "Ishbel" so they will also be so handy for that!! Thank you!


I can feel the multiple projects creeping up on me again - I have so many ideas and it's hard to get those stitches I picture in my head to the actual fabric! I think summer is good for that, the slate is clean for the moment - even if the nutshell is cluttered!

Two Tops

It's so icky out today - I tried to "shovel" the front walk a bit and it really was just pushing slushy water to the side. Weather reports say snow is coming maybe tomorrow and later on in the week / weekend so maybe I'll actually get a proper action shot of Lorelai in her newest hat.

Toasty Topper - knit with Ella Rae Classic in a purple-grey color, it's quite warm and even seems snug on her head - it did stay on when she pulled at it (mostly). If she's distracted by the snow / cold / wind it just might work.

Look at that she already knows how to pose.


This is my head. Or, Mom, why am I wearing a hat inside?

Costume Change!

"Amelie" is finally done. I bought the yarn and book for this project back in December 2007, Lorelai was weeks old. I planned to make the 6 month size, figuring I would be done before she outgrew it. I just made it. She's 13+ months now and can wear this as a top I think.



This FO doesn't count in any of my yardage counts - it's been finished with the knit part for a long while - just needed the buttons. And the hat (while it counts for yardage) only used up ~0.8 of the skein so I'm trying to decide if I will count that as a ball used up or not. It does count towards a new challenge I've got. Hats.

So, I'm challenging myself (not Knitting A Long with anyone. Challenging myself, there is a difference) to the following:
Knit 100 balls from the stash (so far: 1 / 100 unless I decide the Topper hat counts)
Participate in the LimeNViolet 2009 Sock Marathon (Goal: Knit 2 miles, starts in February.)
52 Hat Challenge (so far: 2 / 52)

I've got my own little cheerleader, how bad could it be?