Finished: Copy Cat Hat

The weather seemed to chill incredibly quickly this year.  Normally, I am happy to have a few days in between of coldish weather, but this year, I woke up and realized it was freezing outside--literally! 

In order to keep my head warm, I recently cast on a Copy Cat Slouch Hat, which is a free pattern on Rav. I had been going back and forth on the pattern for some time but since I have seemed to misplace my Crooked Paths hat (oh no!) I broke down. I used Cascade 220, which isn't a particularly nice yarn (in my opinion), but it is a great general work horse that always works up thick and warm. I made the entire hat on size 7 needles, and the pattern repeat is a measly four rows that are incredibly easy.  Overall, I am happy with the result and think this would be a great go-to project for slow days when my inspiration is hibernating. (The pattern mods I used are listed on the project page--be sure to check out any helpful projects if possible.)  

In other news, during cyber Monday I was able to pick up a pile of Berroco Weekend Chunky for a yet to be determined sweater.  More details on that later! 

Giving Thanks...for yarn!

Thanksgiving is  upon us and there is really no need to ramble on about how much I am thankful for.  A great family, a nice couple of cats, you know the drill.  I tend to feel thankful often--even if I don't always express it--, so it is sort of funny that this holiday as I am prepping for an out of town trip, I am mulling over how thankful I am for the outlet of knitting and of course, all the amazing yarn out there. 

I have been off work this week, packing, cooking, running around the house in a cleaning rage though the entire time in the back of my mind, I kept wondering what projects I would be taking along, if and when I was going to get to the yarn store... it sounds very silly if you aren't a knitter but for most (not usually me, another thing to be thankful for..) car time equals prime, uninterrupted knitting time that usually doesn't come so easily. 

Of course, I made time to visit the store, pick out a few balls to take along and now as the cooking and cleaning are done, I am furiously searching Ravelry for a hat pattern... and so the cycle continues.

I plan to make another Avery cowl (for me!) in Berroco Comfort in the Beet Root color.  There are plenty of yarns I sought out, played with, but I couldn't help myself from choosing this washable staple, yet again.

And for the yet to be chosen hat, Cascade 220 in the Silver Gray colorway.  (By the way, now that my hair has grown to proportions that are conducive to wearing hats... it's on!) 

I imagine I will be back in a few days to show the progress.... Happy Knitting!

Finished: Avery

A while back Quince and Co released Wool Book One, a majorly droolworthy collection of patterns designed by two of my knitting crushes, Melissa Labarre and Cecily Glowik MacDonald.  The collection is amazing; it is rare that I find 5 patterns in one place that I adore equally. I remember immediately sending off emails like, "OMG! Did you see this?!?!!"... It took me a while to get over my initial lovefest/shock but last week I cast on an Avery cowl for my sister in law.  I can't tell you how much I loved this pattern... First, the number of cast on stitches is high, it makes rows feel a little long, but you end up with a lot less repeats which always makes me happy.  Secondly, I am positive that the stitch  motif will work with a variety of yarns and a variety of fibers (as a testament I knit this in Berroco Comfort which is machine washable and never lost any definition).  And last, it just looks cool. 

This was a quick knit, and I am already excited to make another! 

In other news, I have given Phillip (not so cool) bragging rights as  I have knit over 4 miles of yarn this year so far! My goal is 5 miles, so I have a lot of work to do before the end of next month.

Back to my needles... 

Finished: Turn A Square Hat

I wasn't lying when I said I was impressed with Jared Flood's patterns... This week, after finishing a secret project for my sister in law (will post tomorrow, after I give  it to her!), I decided to cast on a Turn a Square hat for Phillip with some stash left overs.  The darker color is from his nowhere near finished Cobblestone Pullover and the lighter green, Turtle, is a purchase from a trip to Colorado a few years ago.  The pattern was incredibly fast in worsted weight and very easy to follow.  I cast on as the pattern states, did an increase round and dove into the jogless stripes (which are nowhere near as complicated as the knitting gods would have you believe).  Once I got to the decrease rounds my attention went off (too much tv, I suppose.) and I made a few minor mistakes.  Nothing you can actually see, and it didn't make any difference in the hat, other than make it a few rows taller which is probably a good thing. Not much to say about the hat, I like it and the final touches with the decreases rows really help elevate it from a regular striped hat. Here's hoping it will keep Phillip warm this winter. 

Finished: Guernsey Wrap

Not much to say about this knit... it only took me a few days so I feel like a loser for saying that toward the end I became slightly fatigued and bored with only knitting and purling (especially after endless days of ribbing on Edie). The pattern is really well written, and interesting, and Jared's design has a great sampler quality, so I certainly understand why people have (and are continuing to) knit this in flocks.  I was concerned that with my yarn choice that my finished product may be quite a bit smaller than I wanted, but I always seem to forget that I am missing some significant height in comparison to others... (or as Phillip would say I have an easy excuse to quit early).  Overall, I am happy with the finished product and am glad I finally made the damn thing, after looking over and owning the pattern for the better part of the year.  I have a feeling this will not be the last of Jared's patterns that call my name...