tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74616968278350718282024-03-05T15:45:59.972-08:0052 Weeks, 52 HatsAimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-54915333235520209552012-01-04T08:46:00.000-08:002012-01-04T08:50:42.105-08:00Rigatoni KnitsMy new blog is up and running at <a href="http://rigatoniknits.blogspot.com/">http://rigatoniknits.blogspot.com/</a>-- I've attempted to explain the title <a href="http://rigatoniknits.blogspot.com/2012/01/rigatoni.html">here</a>. Do drop by!Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-79329703439218771992011-12-31T02:25:00.000-08:002011-12-31T14:17:42.996-08:00Looking forwardIn the thick of all the hat knitting, I used to know <span style="font-style: italic;">exactly</span> how I would spend my time once it was done-- in reality, I'm drifting a bit. Enjoyably so, and I'm trying to savor this more relaxed relationship to my yarn and needles. They've still been pretty busy:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHdJJRCfynx7rjTVp_YohZw4bjfaFTmgsKcNIacxkLYoOQXD-oQpZySYf13wRMCyFfDtEngRkGucfBz0BVn-JNyxC-UYVT0IUe_CYzfDdM3kD3uV4Iik9_VG6c30Msc-3E4oJNnWp6OuQ/s1600/Eco+Duo+Mittens.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHdJJRCfynx7rjTVp_YohZw4bjfaFTmgsKcNIacxkLYoOQXD-oQpZySYf13wRMCyFfDtEngRkGucfBz0BVn-JNyxC-UYVT0IUe_CYzfDdM3kD3uV4Iik9_VG6c30Msc-3E4oJNnWp6OuQ/s400/Eco+Duo+Mittens.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692410953065225682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">These should have thumbs by midnight!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS7OkOrksOn9YvrrC4EU0-DIpA0EAFMcIvndC6bhE5w5Q5TV4k9r-_dmh-Gvf1bIh5BOOcmsqu3Z5ZdnfOM6N95taytZ_sJmU494XnKEb_dN-afWD2PAGkYt_DmsWvosBpVFqgPW3rcxi/s1600/Springtime+in+Durham.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS7OkOrksOn9YvrrC4EU0-DIpA0EAFMcIvndC6bhE5w5Q5TV4k9r-_dmh-Gvf1bIh5BOOcmsqu3Z5ZdnfOM6N95taytZ_sJmU494XnKEb_dN-afWD2PAGkYt_DmsWvosBpVFqgPW3rcxi/s400/Springtime+in+Durham.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692410960762068082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">I heart baby knitting-- and NO this is not for me.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div></div><div>What else do I have in mind, now that I'm not frantically knitting (and posting) hats? I have no plans for another grand, year-long project. Once was perhaps enough... but there's lots (and lots and lots) of other stuff I want to do!<br /></div><br /><div></div>First of all, I'm long overdue to make myself a sweater. For some reason, no yarn or pattern ever grabbed hold of me with any urgency, but that has changed. I fell hard for one yarn in particular-- fuzzy, nubbly Shelter from Brooklyn Tweed-- and <a href="http://brooklyntweed.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_4&products_id=56">a sweater</a> that goes with it. So I'm ready to head for that milestone.<br /><br /><div></div><div>At the same time, my mind is now swimming with design ideas-- they appear as soon as I shut my eyes to go to sleep!-- and I feel that my skills might finally be equal to executing a few of them. I already have a handful of hat patterns to write up-- though, predictably, my samples are now scattered to the four winds. I'm hoping memory-- and my Ravelry notes-- will help me reconstruct them...</div><br /><div></div>I also see myself doing a lot more of this:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Uf_n9RGwXOsTgoL_w74tyDeUXzuS3o7BR_TTikgWa-GjVTUbKRVyEEEBa613Gqk1kbY8SUKVZx1rgmO_irv0u0PIRjZu_ydL7uhYsh6ExGaJ6R69S2HLEkFm2apj9b8JJJ6sOt6fio3a/s1600/Fat+Spindle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Uf_n9RGwXOsTgoL_w74tyDeUXzuS3o7BR_TTikgWa-GjVTUbKRVyEEEBa613Gqk1kbY8SUKVZx1rgmO_irv0u0PIRjZu_ydL7uhYsh6ExGaJ6R69S2HLEkFm2apj9b8JJJ6sOt6fio3a/s400/Fat+Spindle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692410966836755650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This will soon be my second skein of handspun!</span> </span><br /><br /></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUPfoi-KKE1v2tHT4OxdT1GxDJjYELRxNPKH967ZSscd21JlKCEL8z5TEoekDC8S6HD-1scSkW_ATKA1aX1ARDx_LHh6p76a6Rc77nBnf3RLRlkDZldQ3WrRjqo_h97zyAAH39QYKZ3Fq/s1600/first+handspun.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUPfoi-KKE1v2tHT4OxdT1GxDJjYELRxNPKH967ZSscd21JlKCEL8z5TEoekDC8S6HD-1scSkW_ATKA1aX1ARDx_LHh6p76a6Rc77nBnf3RLRlkDZldQ3WrRjqo_h97zyAAH39QYKZ3Fq/s400/first+handspun.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692410958973611346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Here's my first-- I'm quite proud of it.<br /></span></span></div><br /><div></div>What can I say, I really needed a break from all the hats, so I bought a spindle and some fiber at the Common Ground Fair in September. I promised I would wait until my vacation in October before I laid hands on them... I didn't last a day.<br /><br /><div></div><div>I'm a bit more apprehensive about this contraption:</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvl_Ycuu-RPgZwiktWxfijvhWVU4NyzENYNQogx5Y5Iq9K4mGXimw_giABYA-4bhikEveJmcgExnYWi2ytzH9dfzohYfzlIBmr-NpkXDfRcrD1n3vafYK71_uuZTlIIXcxhSxMUw55HlhE/s1600/Oh+for+the+love.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvl_Ycuu-RPgZwiktWxfijvhWVU4NyzENYNQogx5Y5Iq9K4mGXimw_giABYA-4bhikEveJmcgExnYWi2ytzH9dfzohYfzlIBmr-NpkXDfRcrD1n3vafYK71_uuZTlIIXcxhSxMUw55HlhE/s400/Oh+for+the+love.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692412876522224994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">It's only been out of the box once since last Christmas!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div></div>But all of the cute dresses and skirts I've been imagining-- to go with my hand-knit sweaters, naturally-- are not going to sew themselves. I'm a near-total novice, but I have dreamed about sewing my own clothes for years. Maybe the hat project has finally given me the guts to go for it...<br /><br /><div></div>So, sweaters, design, spinning, sewing... doesn't seem like I'm going to have much time for blogging. It seems natural to for this blog to end with the project that spawned it, but I've been thinking a lot about whether I should-- or want to-- continue writing a blog. I'll spare you the details of my rumination... the short answer is YES I do! I think I would miss reflecting on my projects and the process of making them. So a new blog is in the works-- I don't quite have it up and running yet, but when I do, I'll post the new address here.<br /><br />Now if you'll excuse me, I have some thumbs to make and some ends to weave in before midnight-- and some champagne in the fridge that isn't going to drink itself. A very happy New Year to you all!<br /><br /><div></div>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-22570242945160354582011-12-27T10:00:00.000-08:002011-12-27T09:47:54.326-08:00Looking Back, Part 2I love every one of my 52 hats, but I do have some favorites-- the good people of Ravelry have some as well. My top five, according to the number of little favorite hearts*:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sTX6tXszQz6lgBUbgAgPz_2gNJ4M0i2qbykdjETNqU67mZo7JVdiJUKYPF73YQryoS1i5BQrw_y0GsDnMIbFSXUYspZmiSDM8MMuhd0PAwVZYbzOKo5A6dOwY8YO44GKvCKtUsnBk61_/s1600/Marsan%253AZissou.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sTX6tXszQz6lgBUbgAgPz_2gNJ4M0i2qbykdjETNqU67mZo7JVdiJUKYPF73YQryoS1i5BQrw_y0GsDnMIbFSXUYspZmiSDM8MMuhd0PAwVZYbzOKo5A6dOwY8YO44GKvCKtUsnBk61_/s400/Marsan%253AZissou.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689353820473918562" border="0" /></a><br />5. <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2010/12/marsan-watchcap.html">Marsan Watch Cap</a>-- which now looks nothing like it did in this photo. My brother swears it didn't go in the washing machine-- swears it just got wet while he was shoveling snow. According to my understanding, felting requires heat, moisture, <span style="font-weight: bold;">and</span> agitation, so I ask you-- how much agitation can a hat undergo while being worn on one's head?!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKYjIJDn3VZXg-JlBzwYDN28pgqaWbDQ_tp9UmI4Z2fgjyZqbIxndHq-oBT_ySKEMC1kHzhd3sMXRRRXB6xme0EK3ya63q-rOO2x9DMgzGksvCIJfvSs5Po0_LA3Q1DeEb2dHNqloftYT/s1600/Chroma+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKYjIJDn3VZXg-JlBzwYDN28pgqaWbDQ_tp9UmI4Z2fgjyZqbIxndHq-oBT_ySKEMC1kHzhd3sMXRRRXB6xme0EK3ya63q-rOO2x9DMgzGksvCIJfvSs5Po0_LA3Q1DeEb2dHNqloftYT/s400/Chroma+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689353818552259954" border="0" /></a><br />4. My <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/03/chroma-stocking-cap.html">original sample</a> for the <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/05/extra-extra.html">Chroma Stocking Cap</a>-- by the way, my pattern now has 319 hearts of its own, and 23 projects!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OWXMkg4JD5AzDnA9MRvd8QUh60KR52iSs2qBqPrn8seUFA8zq_9IkIC3g6PVa5dsiCkjViSVEu6NtxBTisfHtModjymb9QtRs9jGK7u_Ys-uWrVtwPrq1ONbLGpvOSgEIlN8osgcDqW0/s1600/Folded+Pup+Tent.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OWXMkg4JD5AzDnA9MRvd8QUh60KR52iSs2qBqPrn8seUFA8zq_9IkIC3g6PVa5dsiCkjViSVEu6NtxBTisfHtModjymb9QtRs9jGK7u_Ys-uWrVtwPrq1ONbLGpvOSgEIlN8osgcDqW0/s400/Folded+Pup+Tent.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689353832927859538" border="0" /></a><br />3. <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/11/pup-tent.html">Pup Tent</a>. I sort of attribute this to the self-consciously arty photos I took of it... since I tend to fave projects with self-consciously arty photos. But it is a damn good looking hat-- I think <a href="http://blackbirdturning.blogspot.com/">Bristol</a> would agree.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9dTKKwiM_UwdrGEHE3rEQfxbLVUOSWAwvLueQ7ga0awFFun2kFCV8nqPWBbNCf7aBVPWAtTG4JYVe-mv7euq2ys5gd9rpZJaZkPpLbgDiNGCNUtxZo5xG0J3o24zjSogMkFeLcUWo2qu/s1600/pulling+the+hat+off.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9dTKKwiM_UwdrGEHE3rEQfxbLVUOSWAwvLueQ7ga0awFFun2kFCV8nqPWBbNCf7aBVPWAtTG4JYVe-mv7euq2ys5gd9rpZJaZkPpLbgDiNGCNUtxZo5xG0J3o24zjSogMkFeLcUWo2qu/s400/pulling+the+hat+off.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690841428861283378" border="0" /></a><br />2. <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/11/caller-herrin.html">Caller Herrin'</a>-- also one of my absolute favorites. It's probably the best hat I've made, which I attribute to stupendous design and a superbly-written pattern.<br /><br />And finally, the number-one favorited hat:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OlzHVSa6K7hc80lFP51cqzJXxzCnZam9nC9PTJ-goqHEiCR88xQLuYS2MGFWa6yD0GkIykAglih85JamkvDIr_vaV2_WLoxLl7FTm28ucKJlJsOr2tk1bj7wtOJdQ_VOVEj9HgQSNvYZ/s1600/Sedestal+Love+Hat+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OlzHVSa6K7hc80lFP51cqzJXxzCnZam9nC9PTJ-goqHEiCR88xQLuYS2MGFWa6yD0GkIykAglih85JamkvDIr_vaV2_WLoxLl7FTm28ucKJlJsOr2tk1bj7wtOJdQ_VOVEj9HgQSNvYZ/s400/Sedestal+Love+Hat+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689353830031482658" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/04/setesdal-love-hat.html">Setesdal Love</a>-- which makes me want to do more colorwork with Quince yarns**-- and reminds me that I need to drag that hat out more often, or else find a more worthy owner for it...<br /><br />Now, on to my favorites! Apart from the two I seem to wear the most lately-- Caller Herrin' and Simple Pleasures-- these are some others I absolutely love. In no particular order:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO14IGpyVmqw3xYkEZnGw2jGdAiCDnaTU3WvAReGrhZ77PIasQJuVBIZAc5RJ9cxtNxUcjIzWy81sQEfa0H9_1UqRNJB5VBKPoQSh2oNRp1295xQt8qkdzxiuXCfj0vxOySfGb2m3PDOEy/s1600/Impressionist+Pin+Stripes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO14IGpyVmqw3xYkEZnGw2jGdAiCDnaTU3WvAReGrhZ77PIasQJuVBIZAc5RJ9cxtNxUcjIzWy81sQEfa0H9_1UqRNJB5VBKPoQSh2oNRp1295xQt8qkdzxiuXCfj0vxOySfGb2m3PDOEy/s400/Impressionist+Pin+Stripes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689356616286875186" border="0" /></a><br />1. <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/06/pinstripe-slouch-hat.html">Pinstripe Slouch Hat</a>-- my own hand-painted yarn made this one extra-special. Its new owner informs me that she loves it too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobhfHX6oBNAuxVjRlSPCOLzpaNznNL73fv3f0VraD9LP7462DBe5F2MfENnx4G_oKNJdXGc43XNpOg_9hU7sZgkfn0MwS02LNOS1neE5t6yc4SFUudwmSyjiYyTeGSH1Q0Trd_gd-WAvP/s1600/Cutest+Viking+Ever.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobhfHX6oBNAuxVjRlSPCOLzpaNznNL73fv3f0VraD9LP7462DBe5F2MfENnx4G_oKNJdXGc43XNpOg_9hU7sZgkfn0MwS02LNOS1neE5t6yc4SFUudwmSyjiYyTeGSH1Q0Trd_gd-WAvP/s400/Cutest+Viking+Ever.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689356611094355746" border="0" /></a><br />2. <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/09/baby-viking-hat.html">Baby Viking Hat</a>. Speaks for itself, doesn't it?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2vbXoIxjIXoONHa2ueXmLh5GIz5mz6CgLN4wgMhjqMTumA6pHw7okVLBIqnbWvaRUFzXH477xadkGftvgqsFvW6Cq7e2vjCOlYna2hXXI2-CLzwv9hb6I8Uk5PLsYxKMmeXMQs2Tbonh/s1600/blue+beret+side+front+view+above.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2vbXoIxjIXoONHa2ueXmLh5GIz5mz6CgLN4wgMhjqMTumA6pHw7okVLBIqnbWvaRUFzXH477xadkGftvgqsFvW6Cq7e2vjCOlYna2hXXI2-CLzwv9hb6I8Uk5PLsYxKMmeXMQs2Tbonh/s400/blue+beret+side+front+view+above.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689353836790528114" border="0" /></a><br />3. <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/11/blue-beret.html">Blue Beret</a>-- which looks looks adorable on everyone who has tried it on so far, including-- and especially-- its new owner, who graciously let me have it back so I can write up the pattern.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WwOySxS4H8kNzC3rZMVDCr6KgohOXHp6AkmHBq_4Q8yXQox6CVzygDYtoAsxsUc5sqbLFiOw78a1Ct6E4jKt7dud_MP-GqHMMv8EAd5NVZvAHOAAdU8I8I2CRIhHr95h2E5wXbbHf8fu/s1600/Hat+on+a+Plate.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WwOySxS4H8kNzC3rZMVDCr6KgohOXHp6AkmHBq_4Q8yXQox6CVzygDYtoAsxsUc5sqbLFiOw78a1Ct6E4jKt7dud_MP-GqHMMv8EAd5NVZvAHOAAdU8I8I2CRIhHr95h2E5wXbbHf8fu/s400/Hat+on+a+Plate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689356618918038530" border="0" /></a><br />4. <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/01/tam-c.html">Tam C</a>-- I wore this a lot last winter and almost everyone who has seen it loves it. It is hard to properly love all of my hats now that I have so many, and this one is overdue for an outing. Tonight, perhaps?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WU8iyWyvI2xQC4CthDElwPoDMh67wOjy5o8sTvyxhet7A_6NvKijb7afLXg7B1m55BAcG7CNuwHOAP2dp1qWSKkqhIzD7_7npXMcDtfNv6YlwPXObYM74bxmHLpEsURqjeXEmCKTFnBE/s1600/Scrooge.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WU8iyWyvI2xQC4CthDElwPoDMh67wOjy5o8sTvyxhet7A_6NvKijb7afLXg7B1m55BAcG7CNuwHOAP2dp1qWSKkqhIzD7_7npXMcDtfNv6YlwPXObYM74bxmHLpEsURqjeXEmCKTFnBE/s400/Scrooge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690860719871929154" border="0" /></a><br />5. <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/11/1840-nightcap.html">1840 Nightcap</a>. I had to reboot, but it was worth it-- I just adore this hat. My dad doesn't know quite what it's for, but he did wear it Christmas Eve while we sat around drinking Scotch and listening to Nat King Cole.*** I can think of no better purpose for it.<br /><br />I could possibly drag out my reflections on this project into another post, but I really feel like I've said enough. I'm proud of my work and my efforts, proud of the results, but I don't want to wallow in it any more than I already have. There is no grand, singular lesson to a year of knitting hats-- my hands and mind are as restless as ever, and maybe I understand a bit better how to keep them busy and happy. They want to move on to new things now-- should you be interested to know about those things, stay tuned for one more post.<br /><br />One more thing: I've had some very lovely and thoughtful comments on my posts and my hats, and knowing that at least a few people were interested in this project helped me get through periods of low motivation-- so thank you for reading!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">*For non-Ravelers, when you add a project or pattern in Ravelry to your favorites, a delightful tiny heart appears next to it-- kind of like a gold star, but cuter. As a habitual overachiever, these thrill me to no end.</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >**<a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/90-fall-2011-patterns/920-kirkwall-by-mary-jane-mucklestone">These</a>, maybe?<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">***Christmas Eve PTO = best Christmas present ever!</span></span>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-10563330807930662362011-12-24T00:06:00.000-08:002011-12-24T13:29:20.319-08:00A bit of light and colorI'm having a hard time mustering the Christmas spirit this year, for various reasons. Chief among them-- I'm working the whole weekend. The bright side: for the first time ever, we have a real tree<br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQvs_LuTGisTnszi7Jv9HClwOzIFH7qORoBnxuvJ3pxSrv-wiBsAB0ahQAk_eAKJh_N8OvqZ3PNBWMo5lkZ4G7NMaqBdZjllC3lJj_TVBMmk7Me0qGmoYH48mjXoaIVHwMD6WPT-yvAUQ/s1600/Oh+Christmas+Tree.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQvs_LuTGisTnszi7Jv9HClwOzIFH7qORoBnxuvJ3pxSrv-wiBsAB0ahQAk_eAKJh_N8OvqZ3PNBWMo5lkZ4G7NMaqBdZjllC3lJj_TVBMmk7Me0qGmoYH48mjXoaIVHwMD6WPT-yvAUQ/s400/Oh+Christmas+Tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689808613586152882" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div>My parents' tree always had white lights, but for as long as I can remember, I have craved the colored kind-- and to my eye, we could probably use one more string:</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cLIzVKjpDJIL6IUEu5d9Fkx8jYtYw3NfsrftfqmdRB5UyI_dMgmiGaCHbQoFEVzY-apzIqXlmeTzmrixbdxlcYVZvudvysk8BC-4C8ktZyd6ElUkyXlpo0Hdd-axSE0lxsUo5RFNbWZr/s1600/A+little+more+light.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cLIzVKjpDJIL6IUEu5d9Fkx8jYtYw3NfsrftfqmdRB5UyI_dMgmiGaCHbQoFEVzY-apzIqXlmeTzmrixbdxlcYVZvudvysk8BC-4C8ktZyd6ElUkyXlpo0Hdd-axSE0lxsUo5RFNbWZr/s400/A+little+more+light.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689808587575745794" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>We also didn't have much in the way of ornaments, but some spray paint, gold twine, and a bag of walnuts fixed that:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBOOEKRW0EggLgSaLc8bd_t-oKij1hLzI-9rLD-YCJXVnEACnSSspAFLvHrUTgteXpVWzGpmx1pARl0hMHckbCRYmMgbsTrDdy6GkxMWE4JQCAtGIFj5n0fyhIW3g3L3ZH8xPBR5vEqy9/s1600/deez+nutz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBOOEKRW0EggLgSaLc8bd_t-oKij1hLzI-9rLD-YCJXVnEACnSSspAFLvHrUTgteXpVWzGpmx1pARl0hMHckbCRYmMgbsTrDdy6GkxMWE4JQCAtGIFj5n0fyhIW3g3L3ZH8xPBR5vEqy9/s400/deez+nutz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689808589579038546" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>I was also lucky enough to draw this guy in the annual knitting group ornament swap:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEisya8anGOJ4r90LVtVv37vCXPJt85QeDXVgwN9K6CopJ3NKs7sVejHqR2uHxtr1tpStRId1TiSyPCzhxYmmZYIHlw0FvYmD0kFpR9AWq3hUupzD2O0prpzgJTK6TZzLAl9jLndOU3aR/s1600/Needle+Felted+Beaver.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEisya8anGOJ4r90LVtVv37vCXPJt85QeDXVgwN9K6CopJ3NKs7sVejHqR2uHxtr1tpStRId1TiSyPCzhxYmmZYIHlw0FvYmD0kFpR9AWq3hUupzD2O0prpzgJTK6TZzLAl9jLndOU3aR/s400/Needle+Felted+Beaver.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689809207420362850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Courtesy of the lovely and talented <a href="http://mscleaver.com/">Leah</a><br /></span></span></div><br /><div></div><div>To which I have added my own creation:</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02G0OU-V_BsT5XKb1ZzIJ72kFBrBjdZRNAeF3qLY87HTqsNaD9dwrEIMZPkCkEuHbV_9r1ibZwsETXDL2nYsC6BIWSqCJR5fRRj2QQ13krV-fTJr7lsvODT1Sd9UvmX4XTUhMsU2YPeel/s1600/Mini+Striped+Sweater.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02G0OU-V_BsT5XKb1ZzIJ72kFBrBjdZRNAeF3qLY87HTqsNaD9dwrEIMZPkCkEuHbV_9r1ibZwsETXDL2nYsC6BIWSqCJR5fRRj2QQ13krV-fTJr7lsvODT1Sd9UvmX4XTUhMsU2YPeel/s400/Mini+Striped+Sweater.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689808597172951122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">My only sweater of 2011!</span><br /></span></div><br /><div></div>I may be spending my nights in a fluorescent-lit cave, but each morning and evening I get a few minutes to sit by the tree and soak up some much-needed color and light-- a little hint of the light and color that are getting closer now, if only by a few minutes, each day. And that <em>may</em> be enough.<br /><br /><div></div>Merry Christmas.Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-18343409731036982362011-12-18T09:55:00.000-08:002011-12-19T09:57:50.706-08:00Looking Back, Part 1I've started releasing my hats into the wild-- three went in the mail this week, and I've hand-delivered a few more. Sorting through the (huge) pile of hats has started to put the past year in perspective for me. There are some pretty good memories in that pile, and I'd like to share some of my favorites.<br /><br />One reason for starting this project was to try tons of different yarn-- I'm kind of a reluctant stash-expander, so knitting lots of hats gave me the excuse I was looking for. I used 34 different yarns to make my 52 hats-- some of them were forgettable, some are best forgotten.* These are some of my favorites-- in no particular order:<br /><br />1. Lion Brand Amazing-- this stuff is so much fun! I'll never get tired of watching the colors change, and I love the fuzzy, cohesive fabric it creates. I still have some leftovers, and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/inspira-cowl">this cowl</a> has been hovering in my queue since March...<br /><br />2. Quince & Co. Chickadee. I tried all the Quince yarns in February, and this one was my favorite. It's dense, springy, and a dream to knit with-- and the Quince colors are like candy. This would make a great all-season cardigan.<br /><br />3. String Theory Merino DK. I tend to prefer solid and heathered yarns to variegated colors, but String Theory won me over. My husband likes it too-- I'm getting increasingly obvious hints regarding a sweater.<br /><br />4. Brooklyn Tweed SHELTER-- this yarn may ruin me, in many senses. I have used up almost every inch of the leftovers from Irving and Pup Tent making little sweater ornaments-- and I have eight skeins waiting to become a sweater... for me! Knitting with SHELTER has led me to seek out other woolen-spun yarns-- the velvety texture is addictive.<br /><br />5. Springtide Farm Cashmere. So, so lovely. I don't own any other cashmere garments to compare it to, but I checked a kitten, and yes, it's softer than that. I'm dreaming of a pair of simple fingerless mitts to match my Simple Pleasures hat.<br /><br />Before starting this project, I usually improvised my hats-- and they were all of the beanie genre-- so here was also a good excuse to try out lots of different patterns. Here are some of my favorites, again in no particular order:<br /><br />1. <a href="http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/designs/2009/01/empire.html">Empire</a> by Kirsten Kapur-- a stocking cap that's not too silly for an adult to wear with dignity. The simple stitch pattern keeps things interesting for the knitter but isn't fussy or precious-looking. I'll definitely be seeking out more of Kirsten's designs.<br /><br />2. <a href="http://www.kelbournewoolens.com/selbumodern.html">Selbu Modern</a> by Kate Gagnon Osborn. All told, I knit four of Ms. Osborn's designs, and this one was my favorite. I love how the simple stitch motif morphs elegantly into a star shape at the crown.<br /><br />3. <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw11/PATTquest.php">Quest</a> by Laura Nelkin. Very clever, very sharp. This looks so perfect with short hair that I may cave in and make one for myself.<br /><br />4. <a href="http://www.pickles.no/waffel-hat/">Waffel Hat</a> by Anna and Heidi Pickles. This is such a fun hat. The smocked stitch took a long time to knit, but it looks amazing.<br /><br />5. <a href="http://brooklyntweed.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_4&products_id=13">Turn a Square</a> by Jared Flood. Possibly the perfect hat to knit for a guy-- simple enough to be manly, but the stripes keep it interesting. And it's a good excuse to buy Noro Silk Garden.<br /><br />Since I'm a nerd, I tend to enjoy the technical side of knitting, and this project was a great way to try out all kinds of new techniques. My favorites happen to all be either cast-ons or bind-offs-- and I think it's incredibly important to give careful consideration to the way a handknit garment begins and ends. So try some of these, will you?<br /><br />1. <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall09/FEATjssbo.php">Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-off</a>. It really, really, really is stretchy, and it looks phenomenal.<br /><br />2. <a href="http://www.spellingtuesday.com/circular_co.html">Emily Ocker's cast-on</a>, which answers the question of how to begin a top-down hat. I haven't tried <a href="http://techknitting.blogspot.com/2007/02/casting-on-from-middle-disappearing.html">TECHKnitter's improved version</a>, but I promise I will.<br /><br />3. <a href="http://www.stitchdiva.com/tutorials/knitting/provisional-cast-on">Provisional crochet cast-on</a>-- in this version, you chain OVER your knitting needle, eliminating the need to pick up stitches from the chain. This is really the only provisional cast-on that I bother with.<br /><br />4. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up-0QOubXQ8&noredirect=1">Channel Island Cast-on</a>-- stretchy AND decorative. It's a very sweet addition that requires little extra effort. I love how it looks with 1x1 ribbing.<br /><br />As for my favorite hats-- I'll save that for my next post. Stay tuned!Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-21323081065049857092011-12-05T08:40:00.000-08:002011-12-05T10:28:12.453-08:00Simple PleasuresNovember 30th was the last day of 52 hats, and this is my last hat. I've had this one in mind for almost the entire project-- longer than that, really. I've made a series of fuzzy, white hats since I began knitting, and I was never fully happy with any of them. This time, I had the benefit of a whole year of hat-making-- and wearing-- to help make this one just right:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBWLR2jUguU0NfWFYacTsIKPcI7VODZhwW-Dwy-00vzmQyN88QUrXp7-BhqRS4Eplqvnd0Wm4eUmHmYBvD9M2oocG8PTIzg9ngSeYq6olX-I6Co73pcSxW9G9PIMHmhN3Fc5eIuRj9HQm/s1600/Waves+behind+%25234.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBWLR2jUguU0NfWFYacTsIKPcI7VODZhwW-Dwy-00vzmQyN88QUrXp7-BhqRS4Eplqvnd0Wm4eUmHmYBvD9M2oocG8PTIzg9ngSeYq6olX-I6Co73pcSxW9G9PIMHmhN3Fc5eIuRj9HQm/s400/Waves+behind+%25234.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682701622916647346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">We went to the sea once again...</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBirr1O0tql-1Oy_uOQ4o8r5yNjmZADkuWuRqJp3OS_rz-RCDVt4KBB6V6PuDmiYD84fh5AKOuO-BVIISzR-W_AFRC6mIaBkVvHAVBLniI4JRJmjIt50eHbiNSs4uJGmmc4K6iwKX1ZGGR/s1600/Closeup+%25232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBirr1O0tql-1Oy_uOQ4o8r5yNjmZADkuWuRqJp3OS_rz-RCDVt4KBB6V6PuDmiYD84fh5AKOuO-BVIISzR-W_AFRC6mIaBkVvHAVBLniI4JRJmjIt50eHbiNSs4uJGmmc4K6iwKX1ZGGR/s400/Closeup+%25232.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682701606166126706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I feel so lucky that it's only a short drive-- or walk!</span> </span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfUgfqKxJPPrDFKl-_4xVqvikgtTMZRhw7rzgy0UCEmGB46p1xWfEj5_w0t1P4444S6A20E4BZDsQU7AoLB_jEYJCkGntglfJTxQ7_F4_0EFZP9EJT4VpAyLoj1B6Vc_fP9HCB9HXyp2F/s1600/side+%252310.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfUgfqKxJPPrDFKl-_4xVqvikgtTMZRhw7rzgy0UCEmGB46p1xWfEj5_w0t1P4444S6A20E4BZDsQU7AoLB_jEYJCkGntglfJTxQ7_F4_0EFZP9EJT4VpAyLoj1B6Vc_fP9HCB9HXyp2F/s400/side+%252310.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682702563717071906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I'm also lucky to have a husband who takes fantastic pictures</span> </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWP59mwtdmUHwkNK99xQnInGsoTw8ae3I4HRVA2KaIsKHAVFQ0YXtqyH9d55DT9PzbLl9XzpAgITDlx07mnhCpLkG3UWNnDaCeFfwHu8wn1CM_vkEJX4CjiLBnzwyLtWlUa7ZSNwPCeaG/s1600/side+%25234.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWP59mwtdmUHwkNK99xQnInGsoTw8ae3I4HRVA2KaIsKHAVFQ0YXtqyH9d55DT9PzbLl9XzpAgITDlx07mnhCpLkG3UWNnDaCeFfwHu8wn1CM_vkEJX4CjiLBnzwyLtWlUa7ZSNwPCeaG/s400/side+%25234.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682701604517597330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Behold the fuzziness!</span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Notes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: <a href="http://www.springtidefarm.com/index.php">Springtide Farm</a> Cashmere. I can't describe how impossibly soft this yarn is-- I have felt cashmere before, but this is... beyond. And it costs less per ounce than white truffles or beluga caviar, with the added bonus that you don't <span style="font-style: italic;">have</span> to eat it. Though you may want to-- I won't judge.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/silk-cashmere-knit-hat/">Simple Pleasures</a> from the <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/">Purl Bee</a>. This pattern appealed to me because of its simplicity-- it really lets the yarn shine. I modified pretty heavily to get the fit I was looking for, but I think I stayed true to the spirit of the design.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Modifications</span>: I didn't want a super slouchy hat-- and I knew I didn't have enough yarn to make one! I knit only four inches of ribbing and began decreasing when the hat measured 6.5" above the brim. This gave me a total length of 9.5"-- just the right amount of slouch for me. I also did quite a bit of fiddling with the stitch count. I liked the look of the fabric at 5 stitches/inch, so I planned to cast on a few more stitches than called for by the pattern. I also wanted to get the ribbing to fit just right-- cashmere lacks elasticity, so I went down three needle sizes and I cast on enough stitches so that the brim just fits my head when fully stretched. All of this tinkering involved making several swatches, but it was worth the effort-- I didn't want to use up all that lovely yarn on a hat I never wear!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Techniques</span>: Halfway through knitting the ribbing, I noticed that the wrong side-- i.e. the side that would show when the brim was folded-- looked terrible. When I reached the end of the brim, I started knitting in the opposite direction, so that the nice looking side of the ribbing would show. Changing directions like this can leave a hole, so I used <a href="http://www.socktopus.co.uk/2011/02/short-rows-shadow-wraps/">the shadow wrap</a> method to conceal the evidence. Next time I do any short rows, I will use it again-- pure genius!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Etc</span>: Though I have made more complicated hats, this one brings together so much of what I've learned in the past year-- and maybe just a small part of why I started this project was to end up, at the end, with one perfect white, fuzzy hat. I'll admit I was a little sad to finish it, even though I love it and it's perfect in every way. My project is over, and I don't think the full impact has hit me yet-- this being the season of deadlines, I have found plenty of uses for my free time. There is still a bit more to say before I call it a wrap, so stay tuned.<br /></div></div>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-53302242396157037152011-11-30T11:06:00.000-08:002011-11-30T12:43:48.159-08:00Caller Herrin'Three-hundred sixty-four days ago, I started this project-- one-hundred thirty-eight days ago, I started this hat:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3kVXIht9fkMDxM3QFOgabBd_f6tcr8LHoe660SN-jlHqwM5g8cMoPDrWt5gETkji-e27YQL4605h-0T046M05P_Il2IdNaADfhsGKwaR8FhnuoHaRfoiqH8eH-i6KBK8LPb4oux2mAtd/s1600/hand+up+shielding+eyes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3kVXIht9fkMDxM3QFOgabBd_f6tcr8LHoe660SN-jlHqwM5g8cMoPDrWt5gETkji-e27YQL4605h-0T046M05P_Il2IdNaADfhsGKwaR8FhnuoHaRfoiqH8eH-i6KBK8LPb4oux2mAtd/s400/hand+up+shielding+eyes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680883754642669794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ahoy, there!<br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5l0jAEnFQF8Vgwdxz2-oFIMDsVwUmHM_xDaneywQ-y3ywZ_Qchm3ayxPdjswEVeDHYJZWzTrhDsegBZlRy8k540Tm0z1iSr3E21iNwXdUuZw_tIMMnEVXP7uw2Cd1ycRMnYAy8ZCL6kjS/s1600/looking+away+with+ocean+more+color+version.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5l0jAEnFQF8Vgwdxz2-oFIMDsVwUmHM_xDaneywQ-y3ywZ_Qchm3ayxPdjswEVeDHYJZWzTrhDsegBZlRy8k540Tm0z1iSr3E21iNwXdUuZw_tIMMnEVXP7uw2Cd1ycRMnYAy8ZCL6kjS/s400/looking+away+with+ocean+more+color+version.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680878096359001026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A seafaring hat must be photographed at the sea.<br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvrmBhVZIeq_MsNmiKoum7y6aJBIrlZC46QDLTz31DGx4rl6q6Dig-ZoH3lsE3xOUTkttWfUXpCMpBOaUrLV85qEVFaMumj5KxOg59pIkDIZmF4NDvtcQbArqfGNzqUWzi6FzoFNAWFyi/s1600/side+view+from+behind+%25232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvrmBhVZIeq_MsNmiKoum7y6aJBIrlZC46QDLTz31DGx4rl6q6Dig-ZoH3lsE3xOUTkttWfUXpCMpBOaUrLV85qEVFaMumj5KxOg59pIkDIZmF4NDvtcQbArqfGNzqUWzi6FzoFNAWFyi/s400/side+view+from+behind+%25232.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680878108783992002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">These were taken at Reid State Park-- one of my favoritest places.<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8tExqePnlUHyLVGzbQtR9W66qaoWZA1kr-uxdbjg5lrKgxh2yeiVAThNVS3s_UBfJNY4UfUEVUGXh4U1P19-m8kqRZQbqgR5n05e2-iatBox8p8WqhfLLST5OheqIGbqbeVG5rQHfGGL/s1600/over+the+shoulder.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8tExqePnlUHyLVGzbQtR9W66qaoWZA1kr-uxdbjg5lrKgxh2yeiVAThNVS3s_UBfJNY4UfUEVUGXh4U1P19-m8kqRZQbqgR5n05e2-iatBox8p8WqhfLLST5OheqIGbqbeVG5rQHfGGL/s400/over+the+shoulder.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680891628136600306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Photos courtesy, as usual, my enormously talented husband...<br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGzJr7ptD6iCMnlIO71YF_qPSP_Iti9T68M_LYdsVfuilGjmicODdjcLGDx9PHNIbkCxhNrZkjwACOeIsWZ2Vr41PwsZHswEylCV7ZUNpHqximsE4D3OO7VH6wnoF8brP4ZGdx_rqfP9n/s1600/pulling+the+hat+off.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGzJr7ptD6iCMnlIO71YF_qPSP_Iti9T68M_LYdsVfuilGjmicODdjcLGDx9PHNIbkCxhNrZkjwACOeIsWZ2Vr41PwsZHswEylCV7ZUNpHqximsE4D3OO7VH6wnoF8brP4ZGdx_rqfP9n/s400/pulling+the+hat+off.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680882674218225442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">... who never passes up the opportunity to catch me acting silly.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Notes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Harrisville New England Shetland-- first purchased 257 days ago on a knitting field trip to Harrisville, NH. I brought home eight colors that day, to which I added four more back in July. The final color scheme: Loden Blue, Peacock, Woodsmoke, Tundra, Jade, and Pebble. This is great yarn for Fair Isle knitting-- the stitches loft up and cling to one another quite cohesively. I used just a smidge of Malabrigo Lace-- held doubled-- for the hem facing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: <a href="http://textisles.com/designs/caller-herrin/">Caller Herrin'</a> by <a href="http://textisles.com/">Kate Davies</a>. I love pretty much everything about this pattern. The charts are beautiful and the instructions impeccable-- and the small motif is easy to memorize and easy to knit. Highly, highly recommended. I am in fact thinking about knitting another one in undyed Shetland wool... which is a clear indication of either devotion or dementia. I also loved reading about <a href="http://textisles.com/2010/12/12/caller-herrin/">Kate's design process</a>-- what an amazing talent!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Modifications</span>: I did a sewn-shut hem rather than the knitted-shut hem called for by the pattern. I will let <a href="http://techknitting.blogspot.com/">TECHKnitter</a> <a href="http://techknitting.blogspot.com/2007/12/sewing-shut-hems-and-facings-part-5-of.html">explain the difference</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Etc</span>: This hat was a labor of love. The actual knitting only took a few days, but I thought I would never be finished with the FINISHING. Making <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/07/mother-of-all-gauge-swatches.html">the Mother of All Swatches</a> also added time to the proceedings, but was well worth it-- I was concerned that I would not be able to attain the same depth and subtlety of color substituting the New England Shetland for the Alice Starmore yarn called for in the pattern, but it ended up working out well. And I'm quite enchanted with the result-- the only thing I might do further is felt it slightly to fit my tiny head better. I could go so far as to say that this is my favorite hat-- which may be why I saved it to post on the final day of my year of hat-making. There is still one more hat to share, but this is really the crowning achievement.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-NAOcuCA98cqrinaM3mHS-pKYd3E_atJ5AU5AJvvOp61wrOgh_uD_prNiMLBjHTWBZ3SxLcZSzrG9E86fa5J9faUtha5x6nkLNokTcHo8MHW_7pia18GD2NJvhY9HzBk7UUbNhGZA5gu/s1600/looking+left+high+key.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-NAOcuCA98cqrinaM3mHS-pKYd3E_atJ5AU5AJvvOp61wrOgh_uD_prNiMLBjHTWBZ3SxLcZSzrG9E86fa5J9faUtha5x6nkLNokTcHo8MHW_7pia18GD2NJvhY9HzBk7UUbNhGZA5gu/s400/looking+left+high+key.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680878091059530434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">One last look...</span></span><br /></div></div></div>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-63598968646261339052011-11-29T11:36:00.000-08:002011-11-29T12:49:22.235-08:00Blue BeretI didn't know what to call this hat, but the folder in which my husband put his (lovely) pictures of it is titled "Blue Beret"-- so there you have it. It's pretty:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmUYJ7tnaOmmslCq1czNPea2zF-nZfgNDjUvmTAphQvdxRh9NwQZjO3sO27Tuvn9Oai9ik6fwmZb0zZBl1qPl2mRxyCzwXEJRN20HEJE7qapSYIqPjjsQeHvtW-so38Mh-3t7I8RUID6u/s1600/In+front+of+tree+%25231.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmUYJ7tnaOmmslCq1czNPea2zF-nZfgNDjUvmTAphQvdxRh9NwQZjO3sO27Tuvn9Oai9ik6fwmZb0zZBl1qPl2mRxyCzwXEJRN20HEJE7qapSYIqPjjsQeHvtW-so38Mh-3t7I8RUID6u/s400/In+front+of+tree+%25231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680519197256999522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">It was a bit cold for my coordinating outfit-- hence the red nose.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtA-DkSBa7medex0nu8Lo4R0u4Q9idN4aPhxgvDhCEElMJ-EBMbnrDhZvSU60p7uGGb_MALcaUos2oVS7N0ZaK81131Y3zw6EgIlOQZ3jLOTrm7TZDEvo8iHyMW2hGB_KF6UJUpcOXlfq8/s1600/blue+beret+side+front+view+above.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtA-DkSBa7medex0nu8Lo4R0u4Q9idN4aPhxgvDhCEElMJ-EBMbnrDhZvSU60p7uGGb_MALcaUos2oVS7N0ZaK81131Y3zw6EgIlOQZ3jLOTrm7TZDEvo8iHyMW2hGB_KF6UJUpcOXlfq8/s400/blue+beret+side+front+view+above.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680519172016788594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">But what else does one wear with a beret?</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTySchyQDPAduzWeYqM7D-D2X0kcJjhgkyUIYgV8whg0AadRQB-9Ufu8Mjz_OGATdAPIMA1egMUByg4Cf8PPHs7rq08judfO_L4XIN35vZcbwaifEfkXCszcg_42LV5nVLUah79SfHvYZ/s1600/blue+beret+side+above+view.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTySchyQDPAduzWeYqM7D-D2X0kcJjhgkyUIYgV8whg0AadRQB-9Ufu8Mjz_OGATdAPIMA1egMUByg4Cf8PPHs7rq08judfO_L4XIN35vZcbwaifEfkXCszcg_42LV5nVLUah79SfHvYZ/s400/blue+beret+side+above+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680519167853992962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">It's the perfect size for me-- I'm tempted to keep it!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPn2UmSUhR5w2N4aaPJNDXhCnrh6n-kWAIxYsscp63Ie-7ffkZ0J07R3Mfz5jXeje2PlI0QFBAmmaIVnPxGcDEF0pl80SXH-a4Ubw2KWywaoCty2zlsohVJue_emCvMOG4deQRQiGkDHQr/s1600/top+view+back.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPn2UmSUhR5w2N4aaPJNDXhCnrh6n-kWAIxYsscp63Ie-7ffkZ0J07R3Mfz5jXeje2PlI0QFBAmmaIVnPxGcDEF0pl80SXH-a4Ubw2KWywaoCty2zlsohVJue_emCvMOG4deQRQiGkDHQr/s400/top+view+back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680519191372107602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I really do have enough hats at the moment...<br /><br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Notes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend. This was a random purchase long before the hat project, and I was never sure what to do with it-- apart from gaze longingly at it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: Improvised, based on a stitch pattern stolen from <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/93-winter-2011-patterns/1011-wetherell-by-leah-thibault">this gorgeous thing</a> -- I was lucky enough to get a sneak preview at knitting. The stitch pattern stuck in my head and would not leave until I had turned it into a hat-- this is pretty much what I imagined. I finished it in August, but I waited to post it until <a href="http://mscleaver.com/">Leah's</a> pattern was published.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Techniques</span>: You can barely tell, but I used the <a href="http://www.knittingdaily.com/glossary/channel-island-cast-on.aspx">Channel Island Cast-On</a>-- one of my favorite things I've learned during this project.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Etc</span>: My 52nd hat is drying in the guest bedroom. I'm not sure how I feel about this. There are so many other things I can knit now-- but last night I kind of panicked and started another hat. Well, restarted actually-- I need to redo the <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/11/1840-nightcap.html">1840 Nightcap</a> before Christmas. I wonder what will happen when that is done. It's a new world...<br /></div></div>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-36184839498774857552011-11-26T10:30:00.000-08:002011-11-26T15:19:02.034-08:00Turn A Square-- for the last time, I promise!It's <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/09/turn-square-squared.html">baaaaaack</a>:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiei-rnCo_ojhiF0npcTJauFkC9K1Tcy4ZhyXAbvOa_YsLDCjfcxVjCY0aKWQqZJ_TDP00vSYiz0e4pJD1LycNpYoL-lSvAIhqO-tYNM8V9QJxn-lMqmr_bMRcmWoY4fl5-7oV20T39ibbN/s1600/turn+a+square+side+top+view.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiei-rnCo_ojhiF0npcTJauFkC9K1Tcy4ZhyXAbvOa_YsLDCjfcxVjCY0aKWQqZJ_TDP00vSYiz0e4pJD1LycNpYoL-lSvAIhqO-tYNM8V9QJxn-lMqmr_bMRcmWoY4fl5-7oV20T39ibbN/s400/turn+a+square+side+top+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679444662148993426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">In pink this time... because it's for a <span style="font-weight: bold;">girl</span>. Obviously.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaazyNVVgXCtbRGVcKOa4u6JwbsDFC6QlgOEIGUfddWw4U6GVtEIb_4yBnVS3LDlis_YCda_lA2-a08LFIjJsWdQ6rMPA2zb2LyzExYlh23zqX3JkY_dUpcDNj3jcubgbVhaUUqdlRdM4/s1600/turn+a+square+back+top+view.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaazyNVVgXCtbRGVcKOa4u6JwbsDFC6QlgOEIGUfddWw4U6GVtEIb_4yBnVS3LDlis_YCda_lA2-a08LFIjJsWdQ6rMPA2zb2LyzExYlh23zqX3JkY_dUpcDNj3jcubgbVhaUUqdlRdM4/s400/turn+a+square+back+top+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679444660386949362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Squares!!</span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Notes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Debbie Bliss Donegal Aran Tweed, courtesy of the Stitchy Witch*. This yarn plays very well with Noro-like substances, AKA Plymouth Boku-- last seen in <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/01/tam-c.html">Tam C</a>. I love the contrast between the rustic texture, the wild colors, and the rigid geometry of the stripes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: <a href="http://brooklyntweed.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_4&products_id=13">Turn a Square</a> by Jared Flood-- a classic. I did the decreases correctly this time, which makes me love the pattern even more. I would recommend you knit yourself a dozen or so, but I think everyone already has...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Etc</span>: Will I ever tire of the self-striping stripes? There is such childlike glee in knitting them. My husband wants one for himself now, and I kinda do too-- hats 53 and 54, maybe? Ha!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />*see </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/11/tillie.html">this post</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> for details-- knitting with this sort of feels like dancing on someone's grave, in a good way</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">... well, kinda.</span></span></span><br /></div></div>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-30200620306364146112011-11-23T12:13:00.000-08:002011-11-23T13:01:58.063-08:00Rap Swap HatOne night at work-- a long, loooong time ago, April I think-- one of my coworkers was boasting about her rapping prowess. I believe she said she could freestyle on any subject, including my knitting. So I proposed a swap-- one knitting themed rap for one hand-knit hat. I think she thought I was kidding:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLigPggp0Z71CtPv7psLDtEHkiUzudOhOqTP-2Bc1XXUfy7tO0Tp7_6ePkZnZ1rZKjoOVhmIliBeoHLhQ0Skhkc01ciKARRsTR-qLEf7CSRRlOuGB7huOcMK48STJCW_bBZdFMtzs2u7KQ/s1600/DJ+CJ.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLigPggp0Z71CtPv7psLDtEHkiUzudOhOqTP-2Bc1XXUfy7tO0Tp7_6ePkZnZ1rZKjoOVhmIliBeoHLhQ0Skhkc01ciKARRsTR-qLEf7CSRRlOuGB7huOcMK48STJCW_bBZdFMtzs2u7KQ/s400/DJ+CJ.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678290417348917154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">'Sup DJ CJ?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Notes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Berroco Sundae-- one of the few yarns I have ever bought without a purpose in mind. It just looked so plump and fuzzy. I don't knit much with bulky yarns, but there is something to be said for a two hour hat.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lifestyle-top-down-hats-no-swatch-needed">Lifestyle Top-Down Hats, No Swatch Needed</a> by Charisa Martin Cairn-- more a recipe than a pattern, but very, very useful nonetheless.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Etc</span>: Now, I don't want to accuse anyone of fronting-- if that is the correct term-- but it's been a few months and there's still no sign of the knitting rap. Miss J, now that the hat is yours as promised, it's time to deliver the goods. I prefer the stylings of Dr. Dre. Represent.<br /></div></div>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-27502886013973064852011-11-22T05:25:00.000-08:002011-11-22T18:47:56.539-08:00Hoopin' at the Craft FairI couldn't resist posting these outtakes from Saturday's photoshoot. Leah and I planned to meet at the Waynflete School craft fair-- I didn't expect to find her hanging out with the hula hoop vendor. By the time I arrived, she had been there for fifteen minutes and was already an expert:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDmgRso9ZRrv3dEQgMoKlOdvxQ58mKUwM6YBQbbK5T2LfjkM9xPWd1pNI27FQWztVvBWTB9xp3DwNxT-2OZabi77j_bKeyZ3MU1J4DwkkqPaB-i5KJUKT0Je7nLj9tLTdVeEfnyvuTpqd/s1600/Leah+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDmgRso9ZRrv3dEQgMoKlOdvxQ58mKUwM6YBQbbK5T2LfjkM9xPWd1pNI27FQWztVvBWTB9xp3DwNxT-2OZabi77j_bKeyZ3MU1J4DwkkqPaB-i5KJUKT0Je7nLj9tLTdVeEfnyvuTpqd/s400/Leah+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678006434861909266" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelfCVvLD3z6aFu_W75kAkcouLqMlQAis606XG35MWhiXYx0PqsdDmcLTx2n37sMFxhkwQlpB5ksfO7Ic-x_tXaBbB1kVcuj3a-98xMazznbMMheCUZS4ZdS2-uAaEe4yoDXO6Ah5C6ebT/s1600/Leah+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelfCVvLD3z6aFu_W75kAkcouLqMlQAis606XG35MWhiXYx0PqsdDmcLTx2n37sMFxhkwQlpB5ksfO7Ic-x_tXaBbB1kVcuj3a-98xMazznbMMheCUZS4ZdS2-uAaEe4yoDXO6Ah5C6ebT/s400/Leah+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678006438157262498" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWH4vaI_svD7WH6M3OmslOOPAsPgs83RGh5-bt-uhYeLDybpujLp8FulHFG8qIhAmpHByByDybSU6mRFvvjM5C8CH1cq2aKN2Kk61KNluceOjwXOfRR8KZCUY3Nea1UKc89ty75eRtI0S6/s1600/Leah+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWH4vaI_svD7WH6M3OmslOOPAsPgs83RGh5-bt-uhYeLDybpujLp8FulHFG8qIhAmpHByByDybSU6mRFvvjM5C8CH1cq2aKN2Kk61KNluceOjwXOfRR8KZCUY3Nea1UKc89ty75eRtI0S6/s400/Leah+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678006445167115458" border="0" /></a><br />Having conquered the single hoop, she quickly moved on to bigger things:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoQOnyuQWTdOmvfrJLwnoEgkEQLJ4k7IIe_0OMtoYGoXcb1zlTk-30E4gLk3owuM3zAL4rERLG_qnmRBzisQ3SXd6_cQNIqs9ShHk3nma-3S3or6AZC0ijMhgt1EdAh8ZFlxVHnIHoQYN/s1600/Leah+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoQOnyuQWTdOmvfrJLwnoEgkEQLJ4k7IIe_0OMtoYGoXcb1zlTk-30E4gLk3owuM3zAL4rERLG_qnmRBzisQ3SXd6_cQNIqs9ShHk3nma-3S3or6AZC0ijMhgt1EdAh8ZFlxVHnIHoQYN/s400/Leah+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678006452270432626" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuj4ifMYThGpYF-wbbYVSS7kSPKD4TAEOKo22_F6ZK3NzjoiTXeKwQtIWsM8pnvoxXzzTF69s558n1dqex5mi8io6Pj1BPqSMRUQQ4eg0AzggBQYEd08g8bKjsWG-OousJspYSqczeeKm/s1600/Leah+5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuj4ifMYThGpYF-wbbYVSS7kSPKD4TAEOKo22_F6ZK3NzjoiTXeKwQtIWsM8pnvoxXzzTF69s558n1dqex5mi8io6Pj1BPqSMRUQQ4eg0AzggBQYEd08g8bKjsWG-OousJspYSqczeeKm/s400/Leah+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678006455474357762" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvNnVwzmi45HTwkrunq1AQ09vaPUScU8oZ1LIGnmjUnsLj68MtRsOk7cVR5MY0zo28C6Eow1sCVf98AKgBFJ9mNzJstmXQ-IqWGXfbMDSQxPCfVA0tSG8SryJ06utqHzb4JLzxHrM0UqT/s1600/Leah+6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvNnVwzmi45HTwkrunq1AQ09vaPUScU8oZ1LIGnmjUnsLj68MtRsOk7cVR5MY0zo28C6Eow1sCVf98AKgBFJ9mNzJstmXQ-IqWGXfbMDSQxPCfVA0tSG8SryJ06utqHzb4JLzxHrM0UqT/s400/Leah+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678007556093137538" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGTxcUEbLANSveAWZtY45RIagQ7YSYtUD6JgRub2YKN65czOXNv597spjajHRxki4W4f7LxQH922q68Xt2i7c0oX8JSVkwzCfjzXcHqWb-rXwdWXZNM9zwnjIw9doz2ZYk13w83IbJA2h/s1600/Leah+7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGTxcUEbLANSveAWZtY45RIagQ7YSYtUD6JgRub2YKN65czOXNv597spjajHRxki4W4f7LxQH922q68Xt2i7c0oX8JSVkwzCfjzXcHqWb-rXwdWXZNM9zwnjIw9doz2ZYk13w83IbJA2h/s400/Leah+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678007556549208226" border="0" /></a><br />I didn't quite get the hang of it on the first try:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70l_QMJDxEj5MR3opPEIot2JsvT9okpyEEFf6NNabR_6XAvoVZltr9dHwyUTmKMzFp7ltv_QWuLd8w7Q6R_4frbogrsOlxOXsCjez3Rky4p9ZgaVMgCaP-RhjUnx8IGruYoV7IR41ppq8/s1600/Aimee+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70l_QMJDxEj5MR3opPEIot2JsvT9okpyEEFf6NNabR_6XAvoVZltr9dHwyUTmKMzFp7ltv_QWuLd8w7Q6R_4frbogrsOlxOXsCjez3Rky4p9ZgaVMgCaP-RhjUnx8IGruYoV7IR41ppq8/s400/Aimee+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678015228563014402" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA59cv-kII0h0TEM4p6Y3n6A4erpeYJRoHDkfyfjkxDcMrftkc24BMnWxdPdHbi73tO67PRhVjK5s49qS8ZiL27Dek2iAOCIj9zl4sgf5e5Ctn8_hUr8YWWIRFP3Sd3lwzom76FFWho-3E/s1600/Aimee+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA59cv-kII0h0TEM4p6Y3n6A4erpeYJRoHDkfyfjkxDcMrftkc24BMnWxdPdHbi73tO67PRhVjK5s49qS8ZiL27Dek2iAOCIj9zl4sgf5e5Ctn8_hUr8YWWIRFP3Sd3lwzom76FFWho-3E/s400/Aimee+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678015234417305314" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrCpIi9Lo8pu-nEiUfBZcAOO3Cu5fmgg-kW1GRK8P7EC3xCabVkROAQiCj0I8tn5jDgHdEFIw9Ao806W0VLy_lk7zG9g5D29lP7LUKTTIaIOs5nTRPEvWo-WUQE1HfkapmKJii37Kt4lk/s1600/Aimee+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrCpIi9Lo8pu-nEiUfBZcAOO3Cu5fmgg-kW1GRK8P7EC3xCabVkROAQiCj0I8tn5jDgHdEFIw9Ao806W0VLy_lk7zG9g5D29lP7LUKTTIaIOs5nTRPEvWo-WUQE1HfkapmKJii37Kt4lk/s400/Aimee+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678015237216476354" border="0" /></a><br />But persistence soon paid off:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkrEqRaJVlQKQjkB8hLh2z-3nk6ALjtKsxg1KIfPKzyEFy5YuF_sO1gqUeWnb_CbxfcQqMjyHri19Iy8YvikbzGmegQC_6aqhxPnct9eVEuJFYxSEj6SLPwctGyOXD2Ic5rAadUWZiBv9/s1600/Aimee+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkrEqRaJVlQKQjkB8hLh2z-3nk6ALjtKsxg1KIfPKzyEFy5YuF_sO1gqUeWnb_CbxfcQqMjyHri19Iy8YvikbzGmegQC_6aqhxPnct9eVEuJFYxSEj6SLPwctGyOXD2Ic5rAadUWZiBv9/s400/Aimee+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678015248777973378" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6r_wplIl7j2mfpawrvHmztGwbT6AvYv_TuM2MsDg0nak6Uo0WRSHlPtrxfTsFNlY1lZT1aK963nMzd1z8o4R-K1KyBsvvELS8ZBuKxsMCVk7tzA0pPPesqYjtLVjVeS1DNq80oRBNTfGh/s1600/Aimee+5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6r_wplIl7j2mfpawrvHmztGwbT6AvYv_TuM2MsDg0nak6Uo0WRSHlPtrxfTsFNlY1lZT1aK963nMzd1z8o4R-K1KyBsvvELS8ZBuKxsMCVk7tzA0pPPesqYjtLVjVeS1DNq80oRBNTfGh/s400/Aimee+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678015261353360306" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOeQC9df0KKObtV-LpSTPLVZ_ombDK0qWdJWOCf9XD21lU5owxVIcHYEfE67ic6oyW01f4BPjl56iONKCPefXiUMQjb31p97soFuodCj1JkVTXk4Dccz0q9T0TpERJ3f8Veo3c4R-DtNp/s1600/Aimee+6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOeQC9df0KKObtV-LpSTPLVZ_ombDK0qWdJWOCf9XD21lU5owxVIcHYEfE67ic6oyW01f4BPjl56iONKCPefXiUMQjb31p97soFuodCj1JkVTXk4Dccz0q9T0TpERJ3f8Veo3c4R-DtNp/s400/Aimee+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678016055914693394" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOA54PyYZeA6jLkcQT1F9Vu9VFNbidIcB3zwQt9hZlijFxmQMoXJBPNykO6LpejvzmqyxkUOmJR5hb0GFGY3siGRhoXW4tx9rPvYrKDofWh8dY8B7vsHkbXjS-sC2cVtOT5BhpHKuVigCj/s1600/Aimee+7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOA54PyYZeA6jLkcQT1F9Vu9VFNbidIcB3zwQt9hZlijFxmQMoXJBPNykO6LpejvzmqyxkUOmJR5hb0GFGY3siGRhoXW4tx9rPvYrKDofWh8dY8B7vsHkbXjS-sC2cVtOT5BhpHKuVigCj/s400/Aimee+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678016057323534738" border="0" /></a><br />Well, that was fun. Your regularly scheduled knitting content will resume tomorrow-- though I if you look closely, you may glimpse the elusive Caller Herrin'... it's finally done!Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-19390594472151765152011-11-21T10:00:00.000-08:002011-11-21T10:00:05.657-08:00SarahSaturday was the first properly cold day of the year, a perfect day for wooly hats and taking pictures of them. After wandering all over the West End, <a href="http://mscleaver.com/">Leah</a> and I ended up on the Western Prom-- with its majestic views of the Dollar Tree and the Cumberland County Jail. We found a nice bench, anyway:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9je0k_orKlaM1fERzi2f_Lghpeob7Snio_AH21N4dEyOgCI3-2KvdHIt_fSAx2VYs4TMlcsMaiGq6afzQHKFiB9LCnTQkklqHO6dR8gRkwwZ1GLO7jCTbu6cxnVzE5ibAxQ6jNO5tasx/s1600/Pensive+Leah.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9je0k_orKlaM1fERzi2f_Lghpeob7Snio_AH21N4dEyOgCI3-2KvdHIt_fSAx2VYs4TMlcsMaiGq6afzQHKFiB9LCnTQkklqHO6dR8gRkwwZ1GLO7jCTbu6cxnVzE5ibAxQ6jNO5tasx/s400/Pensive+Leah.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677503792078463442" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouRL6q_ANnNg9UMAtXg3VSTyKHjhJ23zf869KLTdyzh0KPf0voq5aJEVt8KjaOKeuLNXSIil7JAK0dRBpW4QPilgKQUN3NRUx_819Fr078pVvD8UK8ecu_C1eSFY_mmkQPqLvvxbe8FtS/s1600/Sarah+Side+View.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouRL6q_ANnNg9UMAtXg3VSTyKHjhJ23zf869KLTdyzh0KPf0voq5aJEVt8KjaOKeuLNXSIil7JAK0dRBpW4QPilgKQUN3NRUx_819Fr078pVvD8UK8ecu_C1eSFY_mmkQPqLvvxbe8FtS/s400/Sarah+Side+View.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677503811071507682" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcG6h68hv80YJzGbh3i0kPCsy9IUooxirG3Ua6C03ctJBU8M4LtjFyj1sgSxDJ5EguwYWkBaSCBVrn_3B9_hgmaAV6vsiMDu3-KHD9IY7Syfsjieqq2o-eGUvXLlAQ62HklG0rcFc99wzd/s1600/Sarah+back+view.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcG6h68hv80YJzGbh3i0kPCsy9IUooxirG3Ua6C03ctJBU8M4LtjFyj1sgSxDJ5EguwYWkBaSCBVrn_3B9_hgmaAV6vsiMDu3-KHD9IY7Syfsjieqq2o-eGUvXLlAQ62HklG0rcFc99wzd/s400/Sarah+back+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677503802234408386" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Notes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Debbie Bliss Donegal Aran Tweed-- I picked out three colors of this yarn, and this one just begged to be made into a hat for Leah. I love the dark blue and green tweedy bits.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sarah-8">Sarah</a> by Ariane Caron-Lacoste. I removed a pattern repeat because it was getting huge-- and I wish I'd knit the ribbing on needles one or two sizes smaller. But the pattern stitch is very pretty and works well with the rustic, irregular texture of the yarn.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Etc</span>: The hats I have made for my knitting friends have caused me the most anxiety-- they can make themselves whatever they want, after all. Leah's hat made me especially nervous because she has such a distinctive style. I <span style="font-style: italic;">think</span> she likes it-- and she has at least one outfit to wear it with!<br /></div></div>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-11169869051844398502011-11-19T06:00:00.000-08:002011-11-19T07:03:43.687-08:00We Call Them Pirates, Part TroisThe bright side: my brother-in-law* wears the hats I have made him <span style="font-weight: bold;">a lot</span>... which is why the first one ended up destroyed and <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2010/12/we-call-them-pirates.html">the second one</a> got tangled up in some clothes headed for the washing machine. So, here we go again:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGr73iNv5e46YQQu7hnODCdu2fb7Pn832DkaFrZJJa8be-Ihrj50pJncEU2DgT5u_FEJE-z-opFvBZqxgcmxxFzRbOAAgDB8_k4bEIzi_7uNJJAxGO0Y46CsD90L35Vd6Zoh6uo3KVgoX/s1600/Yarrrrr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGr73iNv5e46YQQu7hnODCdu2fb7Pn832DkaFrZJJa8be-Ihrj50pJncEU2DgT5u_FEJE-z-opFvBZqxgcmxxFzRbOAAgDB8_k4bEIzi_7uNJJAxGO0Y46CsD90L35Vd6Zoh6uo3KVgoX/s400/Yarrrrr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676721468901418242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Yarrrrr</span></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Notes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Cascade 220 <span style="font-style: italic;">Superwash</span> Sport. Let it not be said that I can't take a hint.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: <a href="http://www.helloyarn.com/wecallthempirates.htm">We Call Them Pirates</a> by Adrian Bizilia. I love this pattern-- and I know I was just arguing against large motifs in colorwork <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/11/whale-watch-hat.html">two days ago</a>. The difference between these skulls and those (damn) whales: fewer rounds with long floats. MUCH less tedious.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Etc</span>: I was thinking about adding an inscription to the inside of the brim-- something like "Don't #$^& This One Up!" I think Josh might actually find that funny-- but the truth is, I didn't mind making it, even for the third time. Handknits <span style="font-style: italic;">should</span> be worn and loved-- there is no better way to return the affection with which they were made. Though I do hope that this one will stand up to a <span style="font-style: italic;">bit</span> more love than the last...<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">*Whom I previously referred to as "a famous destroyer of knitwear"-- he remains a credible threat, I guess.</span></span><br /></div></div>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-14955676133035609412011-11-17T10:07:00.000-08:002011-11-17T13:36:00.966-08:00Whale Watch HatToday's installment of 52 hats is an illustration of a nearly universal principle: If a hat looks ridiculously huge on me, it will probably fit someone with a normal-sized head pretty well.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9M5u-qZYmQRlHYSypunRh1pJRxwGInvkf9ZjE5vVljNd2Vc6Hhec2rwbMDh8-i-AyyLNTsGBaXYqjQ1M6ZXDbBDtcmNU8yYWdHh3uPJCbraH_94kIXIL-2ff5uvgoHKfwMFwIe6bELXCT/s1600/hands+in+pockets+crop+version+.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 396px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9M5u-qZYmQRlHYSypunRh1pJRxwGInvkf9ZjE5vVljNd2Vc6Hhec2rwbMDh8-i-AyyLNTsGBaXYqjQ1M6ZXDbBDtcmNU8yYWdHh3uPJCbraH_94kIXIL-2ff5uvgoHKfwMFwIe6bELXCT/s400/hands+in+pockets+crop+version+.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676077005911426994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Hmmm... maybe if I was a Rastafarian?<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwadLLHXsgZHNSLoA3SiZrW48wOivMvpa3g2CWOS-Thqmv2ZBEPCYA7HtGdfJUlph_6EavCkH_x2AFR0w6Iw8f8rX7WNq4iCTCN1zUDBYBz9k6Hydk8Khd-sF402hR8cT2mO8KTBfmJ15/s1600/Whale+Hat+Looking+left+%25231.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwadLLHXsgZHNSLoA3SiZrW48wOivMvpa3g2CWOS-Thqmv2ZBEPCYA7HtGdfJUlph_6EavCkH_x2AFR0w6Iw8f8rX7WNq4iCTCN1zUDBYBz9k6Hydk8Khd-sF402hR8cT2mO8KTBfmJ15/s400/Whale+Hat+Looking+left+%25231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676075857867714146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">It kind of oozes down the back of my neck<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyS_K9fXXQ3ssyEOIig-_mMUFEcEUW16YLIlB1KSwDuGyvuma5nsHciQscIMu-OTzim15-XPCO6QrVxF2AsRM_liyUrcS7bCZ1lSlSVPqjIWWdk5IxcFuMEOogZOh76wmHGEoE_dsVvG1/s1600/Whale+Hat+under+the+brim.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyS_K9fXXQ3ssyEOIig-_mMUFEcEUW16YLIlB1KSwDuGyvuma5nsHciQscIMu-OTzim15-XPCO6QrVxF2AsRM_liyUrcS7bCZ1lSlSVPqjIWWdk5IxcFuMEOogZOh76wmHGEoE_dsVvG1/s400/Whale+Hat+under+the+brim.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676075881216811026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">That's a lotta extra brim...<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOANA5y9rACrLVJPGAOsTBCB7uQZhR8rJ4QZa-cxJ_y_wk4SpavKMOabH08_Xdiq_p7fbuCG-_YUF9DK1BhNGia1jPNv44u-l3fwisdcuAMjsNJb2mHAV50bdb4BxQBmLT4DhkOO2-7luW/s1600/Whale+hat+over+eyes+%25231.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOANA5y9rACrLVJPGAOsTBCB7uQZhR8rJ4QZa-cxJ_y_wk4SpavKMOabH08_Xdiq_p7fbuCG-_YUF9DK1BhNGia1jPNv44u-l3fwisdcuAMjsNJb2mHAV50bdb4BxQBmLT4DhkOO2-7luW/s400/Whale+hat+over+eyes+%25231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676077010490646770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Yeah, I give up.<br /><br /></span></span></div>Now let's see it on someone with a less freakishly tiny head:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLF7ILRi31YfLk-NnYF1nzajRnn8AOmQRPiw0ZVSMx0yPcxUDqVl3w9XeXng_AoRcj1ZJwBS7VbbN8vsKrrFI4q_7814r3hGtz8rbdPvj-nqTcAMwNz8RQsbKZNgHa3_r3zm7Ob_zpZB-4/s1600/Whale+Hat+Eric.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLF7ILRi31YfLk-NnYF1nzajRnn8AOmQRPiw0ZVSMx0yPcxUDqVl3w9XeXng_AoRcj1ZJwBS7VbbN8vsKrrFI4q_7814r3hGtz8rbdPvj-nqTcAMwNz8RQsbKZNgHa3_r3zm7Ob_zpZB-4/s400/Whale+Hat+Eric.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676075842750035090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Well... it fits anyway.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhb6WFHLUDtNS7dDZ_Ali0ES0M48ILvrg-1e5a9yuozHlWTzx2iZkHUUIElxmC14s5f6DW4g3NdwNG48N8JxXNr5BduRrMrcVCZXQ2b5dHM_ihYE990lVZb2NrxXvpmfdCkyY03HHYOob/s1600/Whale+Hat+Eric+%25232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhb6WFHLUDtNS7dDZ_Ali0ES0M48ILvrg-1e5a9yuozHlWTzx2iZkHUUIElxmC14s5f6DW4g3NdwNG48N8JxXNr5BduRrMrcVCZXQ2b5dHM_ihYE990lVZb2NrxXvpmfdCkyY03HHYOob/s400/Whale+Hat+Eric+%25232.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676075847086582306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">No comment.</span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Notes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Harrisville New England Shetland. I purchased a you-know-what load of this yarn to make <a href="http://textisles.com/designs/caller-herrin/">Caller Herrin'</a>-- evidence of which has not appeared here since <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/08/tying-up-loose-ends.html">August</a>. In the meantime, I discovered I had the colors needed for Whale Watch. After completing both hats, I still have LOADS leftover. No complaints-- I'm looking forward to a few pairs of colorwork mittens.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/whale-watch-hat">Whale Watch Hat</a> by Kate Gagnon Osborn.* I was smitten from the moment I saw this in <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Books/New-England-Knits.html">New England Knits</a>, but I can't really say I had fun knitting it. I love colorwork when the patterns are small. I fairly flew through the <a href="http://52weeks52hats.blogspot.com/2011/04/setesdal-love-hat.html">Setesdal Love Hat</a>-- both times I knit it... These whales are a different story. I had to continually re-tension my yarn to deal with the long floats-- tedious, in a word. This isn't really the fault of the pattern, just the reality of stranded knitting.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Etc</span>: If only I could convincingly swear off knitting these kinds of patterns, I would probably cut my profanity usage by a significant percentage... but I can't deny that the result is adorable. I just need to find a head to put it on!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">*I apparently love her designs-- this is the fourth I've knit for this project!</span></span><br /></div></div>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-85565432391998918612011-11-14T08:55:00.000-08:002011-11-14T10:08:27.598-08:00Waffel HatYes, I checked the spelling-- since this pattern is from a Norwegian designer, I'm guessing that's Norwegian for... waffle? I could be wrong. In any event, here is my latest victim, fresh off a three night stretch:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoI-W_VNrvpKvXZPtJkXgMMJv__ktQ9_n-zB5-Wwig3ndxr2UokLWUn_J_I9UjaKdwVtsPb75yMBRBnS1UJFRY-WwIc_CXWU_hrADU24nY3ChG1eWoXS1EtCwAbPlqi-T5ytc-707w5v5t/s1600/NJ%2527s+Waffel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoI-W_VNrvpKvXZPtJkXgMMJv__ktQ9_n-zB5-Wwig3ndxr2UokLWUn_J_I9UjaKdwVtsPb75yMBRBnS1UJFRY-WwIc_CXWU_hrADU24nY3ChG1eWoXS1EtCwAbPlqi-T5ytc-707w5v5t/s400/NJ%2527s+Waffel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674913808634072130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">And she still has a smile on her face after a two hour quality meeting...<br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc4eqB1BCOI7RZaX1XTW1KK54vfMnUiBqk87Ok3LcSnbF-2oJi_jyv6-bllVHAZY6M7AeHLXTmb8s0StAklkOqN3uPkjI1UTjDmVFF0jFebgUY5irOmfGOZZUBbAw6lYOYHuZom6Yo8Vm/s1600/Waffel+Side+View.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc4eqB1BCOI7RZaX1XTW1KK54vfMnUiBqk87Ok3LcSnbF-2oJi_jyv6-bllVHAZY6M7AeHLXTmb8s0StAklkOqN3uPkjI1UTjDmVFF0jFebgUY5irOmfGOZZUBbAw6lYOYHuZom6Yo8Vm/s400/Waffel+Side+View.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674913808889495586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Maybe it's the hat... or maybe it's the short distance to the elevator?</span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Notes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Geranio-- not an exact match for Nicole's winter jacket, but I think it's lovely with her complexion.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: Waffel Hat by Anna & Heidi Pickles. Like I said, I think the pattern was originally written in Norwegian, but the stitch pattern and instructions were too simple to be defeated by a less-than-perfect translation. The gathers in the ribbing are created by wrapping the yarn around groups of stitches and then knitting them-- I'm not going to lie, I found this part to be quite tedious, but I love the result!<br /><br /></div></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Etc</span>: Nicole works nearly every weekend and I do not, so it's always a treat when our paths cross. She has invented many ways to liven up the night shift, particularly the weekly narcotics count, which used to be a dreaded task. She also appreciates it when I make up songs about Sugar Free Popsicles, which makes her instantly hat-worthy in my book.Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-12786123821161699372011-11-09T22:51:00.000-08:002011-11-11T14:58:35.257-08:00Pup TentIt's been a few days since Hat 47 left my clutches, and I kind of miss having it around-- it spent a couple of weeks just sitting around my house looking gorgeous. Pardon me while I fetishize:<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZEPZLbkdn-GoH0zAMCO8mDTTrmfp_4NGX-pGgVWBVq7JWeZ59AJr2O7P4yJ833MXUOZ4Hk_2dht2szxwdhsU3pvUN1CmgX74ihcetww137j6rPs-Jq2_zkQxhaMevJJxrwbYjNGmJpvr/s1600/Fuzzy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZEPZLbkdn-GoH0zAMCO8mDTTrmfp_4NGX-pGgVWBVq7JWeZ59AJr2O7P4yJ833MXUOZ4Hk_2dht2szxwdhsU3pvUN1CmgX74ihcetww137j6rPs-Jq2_zkQxhaMevJJxrwbYjNGmJpvr/s400/Fuzzy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673841705784391490" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopzKsa6XFuwkg68s4KfMfPn8v9xZqhFCMmDL9ezKs454Zx2jf83D3RVPqDdAw3PdWJ6qTEbIpvxv_opHJWpc4P9_t3kUyhpPeWkD5yn7piX9Ro5y-WSti1Rh0JOMGn3OAMF-VxLK5CXnN/s1600/Folded+Pup+Tent.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopzKsa6XFuwkg68s4KfMfPn8v9xZqhFCMmDL9ezKs454Zx2jf83D3RVPqDdAw3PdWJ6qTEbIpvxv_opHJWpc4P9_t3kUyhpPeWkD5yn7piX9Ro5y-WSti1Rh0JOMGn3OAMF-VxLK5CXnN/s400/Folded+Pup+Tent.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673841703955209154" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1EyeXrypOuVfqcxK-22o-UHCu2sfK-c9Geol83KGxH_Hjl93fm_nFXFxxD6LW6yy5Ru3BonKOX0Mi0vMiDI-mhwdjPAO_WHhKLwDlPzuPQIcBmDax6SMwIHiz_dnJjtUS50nCEAA3nKU/s1600/Wrinkles.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1EyeXrypOuVfqcxK-22o-UHCu2sfK-c9Geol83KGxH_Hjl93fm_nFXFxxD6LW6yy5Ru3BonKOX0Mi0vMiDI-mhwdjPAO_WHhKLwDlPzuPQIcBmDax6SMwIHiz_dnJjtUS50nCEAA3nKU/s400/Wrinkles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673841713419663874" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOqpE14yaxsu4WzPeFjiFhmDs3-qdtyCkcdtk0gw7i1z-eO4-Kvg-Ph6hnAQtX4akauD3yUJnhlVWpDk3mqqWJgX6WeLtPOS8IyXtKTOHpEqs0BWONj5R2SsI9AAcfvTCH5d7ESKbF35q/s1600/Pup+Tent+Edge+view.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOqpE14yaxsu4WzPeFjiFhmDs3-qdtyCkcdtk0gw7i1z-eO4-Kvg-Ph6hnAQtX4akauD3yUJnhlVWpDk3mqqWJgX6WeLtPOS8IyXtKTOHpEqs0BWONj5R2SsI9AAcfvTCH5d7ESKbF35q/s400/Pup+Tent+Edge+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673841712837897330" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHv5N4sN35J3nDiP911h5HaGMZDmReSoBAR5EWwvjOwWYjIT7yj6rxDE_yEJYjyVwzvRpacS2Oy8uCJyMLJwqfM2Ii2D_M0-DplqvJqSSOvqrHwFx-CY3zM1Xn12bL7f0mRGSVHRSwAMR/s1600/Brim.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHv5N4sN35J3nDiP911h5HaGMZDmReSoBAR5EWwvjOwWYjIT7yj6rxDE_yEJYjyVwzvRpacS2Oy8uCJyMLJwqfM2Ii2D_M0-DplqvJqSSOvqrHwFx-CY3zM1Xn12bL7f0mRGSVHRSwAMR/s400/Brim.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673841704241356450" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Notes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Shelter-- my love for this yarn shows no sign of diminishing. The folks at Brooklyn Tweed were kind enough to let me come to the warehouse and pick up the single skein of Sap I needed... turns out, <a href="http://blackbirdturning.blogspot.com/">the recipient</a> now works at said warehouse and has the opportunity to roll around in giant piles of Shelter* on an almost daily basis. Damn her.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: <a href="http://caterpillargreen.wordpress.com/2010/12/08/shelter/">Pup Tent</a> by Catherine Gamroth. The simple texture stitch pattern only looks like cables-- tricky, tricky!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Etc</span>: I'm happy to report that Bristol is not yet too jaded to enjoy her hat-- though I think that perhaps <a href="http://blackbirdturning.blogspot.com/2011/07/chartreuse-blues.html">the color</a> has something to do with it. And I may or may not have acquired my own small pile of Shelter to roll around in... I mean, to make <a href="http://brooklyntweed.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_9&products_id=56">this</a>! That's right, folks, there is a light at the end of this tunnel of hats, and it's getting brighter every day.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">*AND now <a href="http://brooklyntweed.net/blog/">Loft</a>!! I'm looking for a very flimsy excuse to start hoarding this yarn.</span></span><br /></div></div></div>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-51070715715420242752011-11-09T06:25:00.000-08:002011-11-09T14:55:07.483-08:00TillieI can't remember if this was a September or October hat. My Ravelry projects page tells me it was number 43... in any case, the backlog continues to shrink, and I think Tillie here looks pretty cute on her new owner:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCLsRd_dtw1k_VHXseiqbvr0q_Tt8Ytqgxgw2GQJylhVR3woJKGxGuh4hdwf6XKM7UhzpZLSn1A8xq4VW5kzK-TPNZ6c2CCbSuM5L4b_VNw1GxlvyUuIRPwZZ4S8e0-CnZ_xgvgyWjwQI/s1600/Tillie+%2526+Chris--+side+view.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCLsRd_dtw1k_VHXseiqbvr0q_Tt8Ytqgxgw2GQJylhVR3woJKGxGuh4hdwf6XKM7UhzpZLSn1A8xq4VW5kzK-TPNZ6c2CCbSuM5L4b_VNw1GxlvyUuIRPwZZ4S8e0-CnZ_xgvgyWjwQI/s400/Tillie+%2526+Chris--+side+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673132885572177730" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVf3aQeQbGgr6hDgO1LYKzhqdzyRSIsLYb1Gdg2mTVxp_kpl_8JEWwTrUuUpNQ0ZKOWagqFMkGx84eViJ6PISzGK96QAXfX-H6DTZnLg8lHJW9bAQMG9UlkczOiuzY6WytKlj6WshJ3Wd/s1600/Tillie+%2526+Chris.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVf3aQeQbGgr6hDgO1LYKzhqdzyRSIsLYb1Gdg2mTVxp_kpl_8JEWwTrUuUpNQ0ZKOWagqFMkGx84eViJ6PISzGK96QAXfX-H6DTZnLg8lHJW9bAQMG9UlkczOiuzY6WytKlj6WshJ3Wd/s400/Tillie+%2526+Chris.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673132886443946866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Notes</span>:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Debbie Bliss Donegal Aran Tweed-- purchased at the closing sale of the yarn store that I used to be able to walk to. Even though the owner earned her nickname (The Stitchy Witch) many times over with appalling rudeness to customers, it's still sad when a yarn store closes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/matilda--tillie">Matilda and Tillie</a> by MK Carroll-- an adorable and clever pattern, if a bit hard to follow at times. I had a hard time figuring out the brim instructions-- there are multiple variations and it seems there have been multiple revisions to the pattern. Human error also played a recurring role, as it almost always does-- I made multiple attempts to join the brim to the crown before figuring out that I had made the brim way too long. The end result justified the effort, anyway.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Etc</span>: I love how this turned out and I think it suits Chris very well-- which is a relief because I wasn't sure what kind of hat she might like. Once again I am grateful for Ravelry. Where else can you (harmlessly) stalk fellow knitters' projects and favorite patterns? Not that I spend hours doing it or anything... as a side note, this is my 100th post!<br /></div></div>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-78289009454815566212011-11-08T09:50:00.000-08:002011-11-08T12:38:45.917-08:001840 NightcapI had a productive, fun-filled, and restful weekend, so I think I'm ready to face hat 47:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_MLyoqXACkNtbmBQKeb84XfeQX-3gi7W8lAWVsOR4Xx-N1JN0NOY97Tldx36sHXkDzdc3OVn0eqKehV_BSp7IMjHlAyT5EDLf_JkuFm0bPgHzoCXAocM2_YUFBpkYX5atyGLs2VYtKmC/s1600/loving.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_MLyoqXACkNtbmBQKeb84XfeQX-3gi7W8lAWVsOR4Xx-N1JN0NOY97Tldx36sHXkDzdc3OVn0eqKehV_BSp7IMjHlAyT5EDLf_JkuFm0bPgHzoCXAocM2_YUFBpkYX5atyGLs2VYtKmC/s400/loving.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672634086450473138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">So pretty! Let's just try it on...</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPK8SH7WAevH2zr7d_OC3fytyEVwxr-SAK4YIYOynKCDUuLICWhVtJ9n3rMTjCSNkp-Y1G2HZmsAw0sCMPl1a1vUi629cg0pT9LroKzcqRt8z9LSWshdXwSut7kP1odsm6grSF3JJWF2l/s1600/crumpled+hat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPK8SH7WAevH2zr7d_OC3fytyEVwxr-SAK4YIYOynKCDUuLICWhVtJ9n3rMTjCSNkp-Y1G2HZmsAw0sCMPl1a1vUi629cg0pT9LroKzcqRt8z9LSWshdXwSut7kP1odsm6grSF3JJWF2l/s400/crumpled+hat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672635683859799394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Wah-wah-waaaaaah</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpzl-l-usO7LwPs5qIOzrEw0hsqkxKqY3NbPiBSnCE-xn6ap6YxF8BubwpjDFmSZ_xjWxk1QR1PRIfxbwNd2T2UhjgNLW4hSvgrUpCec0MEhT3UTMRNITSmUbXsoyIrCDRw8kmjtd4RL9/s1600/Face+right+hat+over+eyes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpzl-l-usO7LwPs5qIOzrEw0hsqkxKqY3NbPiBSnCE-xn6ap6YxF8BubwpjDFmSZ_xjWxk1QR1PRIfxbwNd2T2UhjgNLW4hSvgrUpCec0MEhT3UTMRNITSmUbXsoyIrCDRw8kmjtd4RL9/s400/Face+right+hat+over+eyes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672634066477568546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I know I have a tiny head, but this is ridiculous.</span> </span><br /></div><br />Reading the pattern, I had my suspicions that it would be too big-- the suspicions were confirmed when I finished the brim section. But... rather than start over immediately and risk delaying production on my final five hats, I decided to keep knitting. On and on and on and on... there's enough time in one week to knit a huge hat that you know will not fit, but not half of a huge hat plus one whole normal sized one. Not in lace weight yarn on size zero needles, anyway.<br /><br />SO, for the purposes of 52 hats, I'm going to consider this done. Come December 1st, I'm ripping it out to start anew-- should have plenty of time to finish before Christmas... right?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Notes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Malabrigo Sock, which, in my opinion, is lace weight. It <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> soft and lovely, but I can't imagine making socks from it-- I don't think it would stand up to that kind of abuse.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall08/FEATfall08SIT.html">1840 Nightcap</a> by Franklin Habit-- a scrumptious pattern adapted from a vintage knitting book. My only quarrel is with the math-- 208 stitches at 8 stitches/inch does not yield a 22 inch circumference, at least not in my universe. For my redo, I'm going to cast on 169 for the lace border, then increase to 171 for the brim and crown-- and instead of 4 decreases every 3 rounds I'll do 3, so the length remains the same.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Etc</span>: This was fun to knit, so I don't think I'll mind making it again-- that is, if I can face another hat after November 30th...<br /></div></div>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-13900905375400887222011-11-04T05:36:00.000-07:002011-11-04T21:13:49.356-07:00Bill's BeanieThis morning I reluctantly released hat 48 into the wild-- I just didn't think it was as good as I could have made it. This guy, however, has no complaints:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuVbuikq_XkYn_X_BHQYV6_f6mC8X7Ly1KOqWDzC97jpudIN8UxKEFTHKf21fcw5mqpIlqND0rI4KrsQd6v18oVc7YOMrUjQlVeEQeti7okWoQUOsnBmjHLOP1yMNF0goCvKVKPFYUDKS/s1600/Bill%2527s+Beanie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuVbuikq_XkYn_X_BHQYV6_f6mC8X7Ly1KOqWDzC97jpudIN8UxKEFTHKf21fcw5mqpIlqND0rI4KrsQd6v18oVc7YOMrUjQlVeEQeti7okWoQUOsnBmjHLOP1yMNF0goCvKVKPFYUDKS/s400/Bill%2527s+Beanie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671259885154507074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >Look out woodland creatures-- he'll be wearing this hunting tomorrow!<br /><br /><br /></span></div>I was also somewhat reluctant to leave work this morning-- it's hard to leave unfinished business when you've been practically glued to a patient's bedside for an hour. So I had a real exercise in letting go-- it helps that Bill is super-competent AND thinks his hat is great as is. Still, I couldn't stop myself from assuring him that I had plenty of yarn in case the hat was too short...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Notes</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Knit Picks City Tweed HW. Near the outset of this project, I bought four balls of City Tweed and it's nice yarn for hats because it's very very soft. I don't love it, though-- it lacks body. I wish I had gone down a needle size or two more for the ribbing. I seem to always have this problem with yarns that have high alpaca content-- but awareness has not yet stopped me from buying them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: Just yer basic top-down beanie. I used the increase instructions from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/matilda--tillie">Matilda and Tillie</a> by MK Carroll-- another forthcoming project!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Etc</span>: My coworkers are caring, funny, capable, hardworking, and generally awesome-- knitting hats feels like the least I can do to show them my appreciation. I can't help wishing that I had made the ribbing just one inch longer, but as my work schedule doesn't always coincide with Bill's, it would have delayed the gift by a week or more. And it's starting to get downright wintry out there-- not the sort of weather to go about hatless.Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-84467829579674349792011-11-01T12:16:00.000-07:002011-11-01T13:06:39.765-07:00The Final CountdownBelieve it or not, I have only five hats left-- I finished number 47 last night! Today, I'm going to do something a little bit shocking-- brace yourselves-- I'm going to start my 52nd hat. I've had the yarn for ages, and I want to savor the experience of knitting with it:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOC-iqibAH6qKWMj2EoUs71zGEakycb6xFUfGObTFZUCylI6D6yCFFTPOOnRTMYFyW9orc1Zqfoav-6d1sL8qdD9TnX7Sj3Lze_8HXU1qT59cPcxzCGWSPvOBCXXkbeoDA0x5EBzQG3vP/s1600/Springtide+Cashmere.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOC-iqibAH6qKWMj2EoUs71zGEakycb6xFUfGObTFZUCylI6D6yCFFTPOOnRTMYFyW9orc1Zqfoav-6d1sL8qdD9TnX7Sj3Lze_8HXU1qT59cPcxzCGWSPvOBCXXkbeoDA0x5EBzQG3vP/s400/Springtide+Cashmere.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670120901084623826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Springtide cashmere-- so good it's kind of naughty...</span></span><br /></div><br />I also want to end up with a hat that I will actually wear, rather than one that I just pet occasionally*, so I'm giving myself plenty of time to get it right.<br /><br />There have been many times in the past couple of months that I've wished this project was over already-- but now that November is here, I want to enjoy it as much as possible and give these last five hats all the attention they deserve. Let the games begin!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">*Not that there's anything wrong with petting cashmere...</span></span>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-26547034525800717692011-10-31T13:28:00.001-07:002011-10-31T15:09:56.678-07:00Amazing Ski HatI worked all weekend, so I decided to delegate hat photography to my husband. When I woke up yesterday, the entire living room was turned upside down to make room for an elaborate lighting set up-- and these were waiting on my desktop this morning:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGu8A5guxkKUieeAPNlu1wYupphqeYMDcPudOV0doqmduGZR2ZCSKKxXr0xunv9nwrRwlgRn4Vvsa_p1Y7-947OYeGX6KzGSNW_cUT5J_hfhVgpyAUW0060LRk92dPy-2PvvuoghmSmSO/s1600/Face+Forward+%25234.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGu8A5guxkKUieeAPNlu1wYupphqeYMDcPudOV0doqmduGZR2ZCSKKxXr0xunv9nwrRwlgRn4Vvsa_p1Y7-947OYeGX6KzGSNW_cUT5J_hfhVgpyAUW0060LRk92dPy-2PvvuoghmSmSO/s400/Face+Forward+%25234.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669756704608528162" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3sOBFbNYb6FAPbEBDv2SD9ha_s2T06DeLQDK7dRsGXXr97IEnJFORU7G_aJZfo8LhSTZEssEmmYIRbxH4uWnWodbTnErzekshcT2Jc5udOhXU2EhDEMMFtryKqrPUyLGT-tDujfSvzsK/s1600/Face+Right+%25233.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3sOBFbNYb6FAPbEBDv2SD9ha_s2T06DeLQDK7dRsGXXr97IEnJFORU7G_aJZfo8LhSTZEssEmmYIRbxH4uWnWodbTnErzekshcT2Jc5udOhXU2EhDEMMFtryKqrPUyLGT-tDujfSvzsK/s400/Face+Right+%25233.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669756691518611730" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8_m5ZogZnsLUNpBp6BrsIm08yxpg-BE9-7pIpjrWEHdtF_DFQds_ihjr3cazRVWXJnR5WbLZBj73lZfMl9N5O18iTctwS3K_dr-BLVhhW3-Bg9rLtndAOaCf1SoEoMgYrhPjsIb7ANA4/s1600/Head+Down+%25232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8_m5ZogZnsLUNpBp6BrsIm08yxpg-BE9-7pIpjrWEHdtF_DFQds_ihjr3cazRVWXJnR5WbLZBj73lZfMl9N5O18iTctwS3K_dr-BLVhhW3-Bg9rLtndAOaCf1SoEoMgYrhPjsIb7ANA4/s400/Head+Down+%25232.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669756700119532002" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfZgDDA6apSnXjeYUT49qZpLUjPevjgKrWHeymPpWBxx_3UAETdnaZc9FMHvw1NvT1x2AUFp60bmxwNFRX0X8apB_qxaBb92XyBzjxc_REbdSxFAja0olvJYhWBlJbyzrnNFqMCYwdbc-/s1600/Face+Left+%25233.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfZgDDA6apSnXjeYUT49qZpLUjPevjgKrWHeymPpWBxx_3UAETdnaZc9FMHvw1NvT1x2AUFp60bmxwNFRX0X8apB_qxaBb92XyBzjxc_REbdSxFAja0olvJYhWBlJbyzrnNFqMCYwdbc-/s400/Face+Left+%25233.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669756680111109218" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKVhVnBywkawbz93sFU67YONOtIUCL_Y4QhUHlOAu5vJWIpnzGLnXaU0WufUwvGc7e6Zyzq41bhWVmVIeJFzPr2LAqjkaYLmLh2ziRMZtf7B85AIibU2t6i1FLoD-onz5anVxKBvOJcIL/s1600/Eric+Falls+Asleep.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKVhVnBywkawbz93sFU67YONOtIUCL_Y4QhUHlOAu5vJWIpnzGLnXaU0WufUwvGc7e6Zyzq41bhWVmVIeJFzPr2LAqjkaYLmLh2ziRMZtf7B85AIibU2t6i1FLoD-onz5anVxKBvOJcIL/s400/Eric+Falls+Asleep.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669779068571727602" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj086sJIIrNAOTJ5CCk1K_VYbu_7kDByDkW162CDs7YG50dl5V_KGZhyJBEAGlhz0sjX2jNPaT6w_ZxVXewhPUF8_L88WPrKvsLRSjsEeKYquuWuSv0kArmZuAnlZNLtVoNDyQ70ZjyQ3DW/s1600/Face+Palm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj086sJIIrNAOTJ5CCk1K_VYbu_7kDByDkW162CDs7YG50dl5V_KGZhyJBEAGlhz0sjX2jNPaT6w_ZxVXewhPUF8_L88WPrKvsLRSjsEeKYquuWuSv0kArmZuAnlZNLtVoNDyQ70ZjyQ3DW/s400/Face+Palm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669756686348748226" border="0" /></a><br />Have I mentioned that I met this man when I was fifteen? If I am wrong about everything else for the rest of my life, at least I can say that I had the sense to know a good thing when first I saw it. But you probably want to hear about the hat, right?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Notes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Lion Brand Amazing. I had lots of leftovers from my Chroma Stocking Cap, and I brought them on vacation with me to play. Though I have now sampled Noro Silk Garden, I remain a huge fan of this yarn-- it's just plain fun to knit.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: Improvised. I was originally planning a horizontal-striped beanie. Then I had a flash of inspiration outside of a ski shop in Rangeley-- ask my husband, a giant light bulb actually appeared over my head for a moment-- VERTICAL STRIPES. I started knitting seconds after we got back to our cabin, and the result looks exactly like the image that popped into my head. I'm calling it a ski hat because it's shaped exactly like the hat my dad used to wear cross-country skiing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Etc</span>: So this means I have yet another pattern to write up, which looks like it might happen... sometime after this project is finished. Which will be rather soon-- tomorrow is the first day of the final month of 52 hats!<br /></div></div>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-77926771137066550922011-10-28T08:27:00.000-07:002011-11-11T15:00:36.336-08:00QuestBoy, at the rate I'm going, my hat-backlog stands no chance! This is hat 39, from August:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgID7ItXnottXYSFNhkT1ohhN59jXR8pqk7FPRnFYqzSxTEnQItRimOW5D4QLIGaeiE4yJZfSQueapIfMTxiRlYDqsD6x1hA9P6eSMbBS3kV8kGBTUtz-rUluEmf5mckqyH5fARc8QFqqIG/s1600/Aimee+in+Purple+hat+%25238.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgID7ItXnottXYSFNhkT1ohhN59jXR8pqk7FPRnFYqzSxTEnQItRimOW5D4QLIGaeiE4yJZfSQueapIfMTxiRlYDqsD6x1hA9P6eSMbBS3kV8kGBTUtz-rUluEmf5mckqyH5fARc8QFqqIG/s400/Aimee+in+Purple+hat+%25238.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668565908334377906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">It's a little bit demure...<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkUq-eeuuG32qB25KE_FMWV1wu-hyJP5wuStOyQJgRI1PeY9M3Q-Mm7i5Mm14fDVNbIKJwzBO3javM1g025C7CI26iBOqXc20sMdluSuc4N6zfhzTT5iiOY3kY6b7B7FPTFyiMD-QQnv0/s1600/Aimee+in+Purple+hat+%25233.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkUq-eeuuG32qB25KE_FMWV1wu-hyJP5wuStOyQJgRI1PeY9M3Q-Mm7i5Mm14fDVNbIKJwzBO3javM1g025C7CI26iBOqXc20sMdluSuc4N6zfhzTT5iiOY3kY6b7B7FPTFyiMD-QQnv0/s400/Aimee+in+Purple+hat+%25233.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668565922709522866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">...and a little bit <span style="font-weight: bold;">dangerous</span>.<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Notes</span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Purple Magic. The color has to be seen in person to be appreciated-- it really glows.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw11/PATTquest.php">Quest</a> by Laura Nelkin. Very sweet and easy-- I loved the use of short rows to shape the brim. It's also knit from the top down, so it's very easy to customize the fit.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Techniques</span>: I couldn't quite remember how to do <a href="http://www.spellingtuesday.com/circular_co.html">Emily Ocker's cast-on</a> when I started this hat-- I've since used it for a couple of other top-down hats, and it really is the perfect method for starting any piece of knitting from the center. Try it!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Etc</span>: The recipient of Quest has a very polished, ladylike style that suits her perfectly-- and I think this hat will too. If I were to make one for myself (and I'm very tempted to do so) I would probably need a whole new wardrobe to go with it. Each hat I've made has its own personality that (I hope) reflects the person it was made for-- it will be interesting to see how well these matches hold up in reality...</span><br /></div></div>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-30936200241438343542011-10-26T12:52:00.001-07:002011-10-26T13:10:58.949-07:00Hurricane HatFall has taken its sweet time arriving, and I've been seeing a lot of abandoned hats out on my walks-- mainly kid-sized. I can imagine a little person taking advantage of a moment of adult distraction to fling off the unneeded and unwanted head covering.<br /><br />This is an abandoned hat of another kind:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKEZqgvutIw7LljzjCU0gD_31KNMAGef8yhsJPOSAPFRMpPLNKiVTI-4kZ8VgUOEXgBJgMnKMIHkUgcI1f9S43Sc-RRYBMiJn6sCyw-ymwb6CU03Wk40OU3wQgilD6UhFOWFDxtrzQvUz/s1600/Orphan+Hat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKEZqgvutIw7LljzjCU0gD_31KNMAGef8yhsJPOSAPFRMpPLNKiVTI-4kZ8VgUOEXgBJgMnKMIHkUgcI1f9S43Sc-RRYBMiJn6sCyw-ymwb6CU03Wk40OU3wQgilD6UhFOWFDxtrzQvUz/s400/Orphan+Hat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667894661165695906" border="0" /></a><br />I finished it waaaaay back in early February. It was a quick, easy, knit with some leftover, unwanted yarn. I don't know who it's for. I didn't even bother taking a picture of it before today... but it sure did come in handy when I locked myself out of the house at the same moment I stepped out with hat and camera. Fall has definitely arrived, along with a nibble of winter's bite, and I was grateful to have any head covering, however unwanted, while I waited for my brother to show up with the extra key.*<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Notes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Knit Picks Shine Worsted-- the hated yarn that will never end! To be fair, it is very soft and silky. And evil.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: <a href="http://stringinmotion.blogspot.com/2008/04/hurricane-hat-copyright-sunshineknits.html">Hurricane Hat</a> by Andrea Goutier. Nice, easy, free.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Etc</span>: There are about seven or eight more orphan hats that are still waiting to be photographed and blogged-- but none so forlorn as the sad little Hurricane Hat. It can finally claim its place in the lineup.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">*Thanks, Vincent!!!</span></span><br /></div></div>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-19746547385503837252011-10-24T10:14:00.000-07:002011-10-24T11:24:26.100-07:00Shadow TuqueMy friend Maggie is petite, blond, and ridiculously photogenic... which, I suppose, is why no one could resist disrupting our photo shoot:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lEKBJskoGL_ZjR8WHvdMn2StPij2E3q5XZBl1q4oMgTBscddlGhXqfM9_Gs2gnAQ_WrvJ40ITuh_Bsh6nn2XqBnaa0bz20IUMa4HD8NjQ2TOCPERvEKej8ZNOtDcNKgeQ0Lzx8rxVRHq/s1600/Princess+Tuque.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lEKBJskoGL_ZjR8WHvdMn2StPij2E3q5XZBl1q4oMgTBscddlGhXqfM9_Gs2gnAQ_WrvJ40ITuh_Bsh6nn2XqBnaa0bz20IUMa4HD8NjQ2TOCPERvEKej8ZNOtDcNKgeQ0Lzx8rxVRHq/s400/Princess+Tuque.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667120241525820450" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAn-XNe34Pe9j2kYmTFQBwR070DWsOQaE0FN34wO3DfUaD0BF9xUzQM_AazqxNL_FHkCwe07SG6wLe34rpUTObcMAVEc7oJD5KvOpauvJQCTmXFj4CsRjrLmzkxfYFOktnuc2tnHBlyt4/s1600/Photobomb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAn-XNe34Pe9j2kYmTFQBwR070DWsOQaE0FN34wO3DfUaD0BF9xUzQM_AazqxNL_FHkCwe07SG6wLe34rpUTObcMAVEc7oJD5KvOpauvJQCTmXFj4CsRjrLmzkxfYFOktnuc2tnHBlyt4/s400/Photobomb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667120218046821538" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBeuEcf9ZgC1UkBk1Ctd7Xkqq9r7VWd-Gke_ulYu1MFfvpDVzxga4XXwcCqOjIVsNFR1zD7sQG5ap75Z59DiynWBQRLH0NZDM6oin3BoAGet1VtJD8kJtud0Hj4vduBpxw6jrlY8SG2jU/s1600/Ewww.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBeuEcf9ZgC1UkBk1Ctd7Xkqq9r7VWd-Gke_ulYu1MFfvpDVzxga4XXwcCqOjIVsNFR1zD7sQG5ap75Z59DiynWBQRLH0NZDM6oin3BoAGet1VtJD8kJtud0Hj4vduBpxw6jrlY8SG2jU/s400/Ewww.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667120222353919202" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTuOEcWoSz3HvQvoGgzYlXDEThfKBGv8Yky_bWaaMN4vhPFbUvwHsApNwnjNAjbXf783WkTjOb9jjhHOiySOSBFoewls0kEwt_lFLDBHXhPP1xXJv9vUQZUgqsfM2D115wcNF0MgRLPXC/s1600/Fall+in+Love+with+Socks%2521.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTuOEcWoSz3HvQvoGgzYlXDEThfKBGv8Yky_bWaaMN4vhPFbUvwHsApNwnjNAjbXf783WkTjOb9jjhHOiySOSBFoewls0kEwt_lFLDBHXhPP1xXJv9vUQZUgqsfM2D115wcNF0MgRLPXC/s400/Fall+in+Love+with+Socks%2521.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667120238575934578" border="0" /></a><br />Or maybe <a href="http://mscleaver.com/">Leah</a> was just trying to demonstrate that you can, indeed, pick your friend's nose... just remember, Maggie, I gave you your hat first!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Notes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Quince and Co. Puffin-- which now comes in very pretty heather grays. It's squishy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: <a href="http://www.knittingdaily.com/media/p/70362.aspx">Shadow Tuque</a> by Lee Juvan. I don't think I'd ever seen the word tuque spelled out before this pattern. So naturally I had to knit one.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Etc</span>: I'm finally wrapping up Beanie month... which was August. What's even funnier is I'm still finishing a hat I started in July. But I started my last hat for October today, so I can still claim to be on schedule!<br /></div></div>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461696827835071828.post-23591268054531447412011-10-23T07:38:00.000-07:002011-10-23T07:44:41.129-07:00Sunday morning, 10:38AMI'm having a super-productive weekend-- I've finished two hats, I'm blocking two others, and I'm on track to finish two more before tomorrow! Whee!<br /><br />Elsewhere in my house, <span style="font-style: italic;">some</span> people are taking things a little bit easier:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLqfsNaWWiOw7K9XFWeOo3qoUEGF7KaR2iW7Mfw_6751AhqypolWbjoNF34_o7a27KMxBzi7fjqOHPjsPC6t1Dyp_KpilfwvuD7mDJf9GMiZhyphenhyphenZ0PnOsoy-tJ4l1SNtSiaOX_iVktNDfv/s1600/Laid+back.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLqfsNaWWiOw7K9XFWeOo3qoUEGF7KaR2iW7Mfw_6751AhqypolWbjoNF34_o7a27KMxBzi7fjqOHPjsPC6t1Dyp_KpilfwvuD7mDJf9GMiZhyphenhyphenZ0PnOsoy-tJ4l1SNtSiaOX_iVktNDfv/s400/Laid+back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666697542925411122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">It's a rough life</span></span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Ahem, anyway, lots of hat posts coming your way this week! I bet you can't wait.<br /></div></div>Aimeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536505470774675845noreply@blogger.com0