Hats, Hats and More Hats

Last year for Christmas, everyone and their mother (or rather, everyone including MY mother) got these slippers.

This year, I am obessessed with this hat:

It looks ridiculous when it isn't on someone's head.  And I have learned that I have to provide instructions when I gift them, or people wear it with the bottom folded up instead of like a slouchy hat.  But it looks amazing once it is on your head. 

Janna and Meg have already gotten them for their birthdays.  Janna's was the red one above.  Meg's was the blue one here.  I made one for Lisa last winter, and I, of course, have the original I made for myself.

I have enough bulky weight yarn to make about a million more and just love this pattern to death. 

Speak now or expect to get one for Christmas this year.

What a Mess

I haven't posted in a while.  Mostly because my knitting looks like this:

I keep starting projects, getting bored and then starting something new.  Start-itis has struck, and I don't know how to make it stop.

Birth and Knitting

The Yarn Harlot, once again, said everything I wanted to say in a much more eloquent way:  http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2011/09/14/a_welcome_with_thanks.html

And managed to talk about knitting and birth at the same time.

Hats and Cake

I have an awesome roommate named Meg.  I made her a hat for her birthday.  She decided to wear it.

She's so pretty, no?  The hat is just like one I have but in a prettier color.  I may be obsessed with this pattern.

 I also made her a cake.

She made the reasonable decision not to wear that.

Knitting Inspiration: Decorating My New Apartment

When you move to a new place, you have to try to fit all your old stuff into a new space.  Sometimes that calls for a few new items to make it all work.  I've turned to the knitting community for suggestions.

First, I was thinking that I need a good place to sit.

Like in a knitted chair from Melanie Porter

I also need to be able to see all the reading I am supposed to do without straining my eyes.

I was thinking that this yarny lamp by Tatyana Yanishevsky might be night

Or lighting by Kwangho Lee

My living room needs a little love, too.  Luckily Kwangho Lee also knits furniture

Like this chair

And this couch

For my bathroom, I've found a little floor covering.

From YUMMI Rugs

And I was thinking about a little taxidermy for the kitchen

No?  From Rachel Denny

If all else fails, I could just wall paper the whole apartment in yarn

via http://www.jornwemmenhove.nl/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/knit.jpg

So totally tempted...

FInished Sweater

I totally forgot that I hadn't posted these pictures yet.  So.....

Tah dah!!  Finished Sweater!!!

I am not totally thrilled with how short or tight it is, and the button band is a little messy.

But I really like the pattern up the back and hood.

The yarn fluffed up nicely when I gave it a bath so it is nice and fuzzy.  Will be nice to wear if it ever stops being hot in the South....

I have lots of extra yarn, so I think some Cruiser Mittens like I made last winter are in order...they have the same stitch pattern.

Silk and Wool

I made another Travelling Woman Shawl.  I kind of love this pattern.  It is a pretty easy lace pattern and takes very little yarn, even with an extra repeat thrown in to make it a little larger.

I blocked it out it the little space in my room.  Figured it wasn't yet appropriate to start blocking projects in the middle of the living room.  Will introduce the roommie to my woolie craziness a little at a time. 

An close-up of the stitch pattern.  I made it from the silk/merino yarn I got in Dublin.

It is very light and airy.  Not sure how to wear it or what to wear it with.  Suggestions?