Since we’ve already determined that my head is not massive, I needed a better-fitting hat. I really enjoyed the ginormous hat I made, so I set out to make another one that actually did fit me. It was pretty fun, and I finished in two days. I added a pom-pom (I’ve had a maker for years, and the video linked here showed me how to use it) and braided the sides, instead of doing an i-cord. I also carried the colors up the side, instead of changing and breaking colors throughout.

I think that the next time I make this hat, I won’t make the earflaps so large. Other than that, I love the way it came out!

Which is a pity, since this hat that I knit is pretty much giant-sized. I think I must not have been paying attention when I made it. I was hanging out with a friend and we were laughing at her cat and enjoying the day. Maybe that’s why I managed to cast on an exra 20 stitches without noticing. Anyway, this hat is pretty cool, despite the fact that it could cover the national debt. I was going to give it to my older nephew, whose head is rather…large, but he’s a little sensitive about his massive cabeza, so I’ll figure out something else to do with it.

It looks okay from this angle

And then you see how much there is to this hat

Although this hat was far too large for me, I learned a couple of nifty lessons whilst making it. 1) I learned how to do an i-cord. As usual, I found a youtube tutorial that explained things to me. 2) I learned a cool way to change colors. It’s called the overcast method, and I think goodness that I found it!

I still haven’t blocked it, but here are pictures of the Bonnie hat that I made for myself.

You can't really see the hat, but aren't I adorable here?

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Originally uploaded by iunfold

I have not fallen off the face of the planet. I knit a bit in November when I traveled to South Carolina for a funeral, but mostly read in my spare time, hence the lack of posts here.

Pattern: River Rapids by Sockbug

I finished these babies in less than one week! Yeah, that’s right. I’m feeling pretty proud of myself right now. They’re super cute and the pattern was a breeze. I didn’t have to pay too much attention, and even decided to spice things up with a 4×4 ribbed heel (which came out SO nicely)!

The recipient seemed to really like them, so I hope she wasn’t just trying to spare my feelings. I love the way these came out, and am fairly sure that I will be making myself a pair!

Also, I am now a rockstar at kitchener stitch. I can do it in less than 10 minutes with no mistakes and without missing anything in Batman.

Aren’t they beauteous? I’m not sure they’re small enough for A, though…

Pattern: Cookie A.’s Monkey, without the purls

Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock Multi

No purl monkey socks

Regular Monkey socks:

Purlful Monkey socks

If you look closely, you can see the purl stitches (they look like bumps) at the sides of the v design that repeats over the socks. As you can tell,  really like this yarn, and I’m bummed that Purl Soho doesn’t sell it in their store anymore (although the woman did say that she thought they still carry it online). I bought some variegated orange and solid orange Koigu to console myself.

I finished the booties! Well, actually, they’re socks. I used short rows for the heels and toes, and liked the final product. I wasn’t sure how they’d come out, and I definitely fixed some fatigue-related errors whilst weaving in my ends, but I’m really happy with how they came out. And my coworker really liked them, so that makes me feel good. Everybody else was impressed, but it was his opinion that matters, since it’s his kid I made them for. Also, he was happy to hear that the blanket is still in the works, and that I may actually finish before his child makes his debut into the world.

I’m exhausted, but it’s totally worth it!

I like these socks, and I’m going to make them again, but next time I will not add the third stripe of the contrast color, just to make them look more like the Old Skool socks I was picturing in my head. 

Also, and it’s worth noting, this is the best my short row anythings have ever looked!

aim-less |ˈāmlis|adjective