Instant Gratification

That's how I'd describe hats. I finished two in the last couple of days--mainly to get them off my to-knit list, which is now officially under 20 projects!!!

The first one was a strawberry hat for my unbelievably adorable niece. And I'm not saying that just because I'm her auntie. My sister picked up a Fiber Trends pattern called Patrick's Pumpkin, but asked if I could modify it to look like a strawberry. It wasn't difficult to knit, but it did get thrown across the living room at one point, a fact I'm a little sheepish (heh) to admit. I'm not one for displays of physical aggression, but it had been a long day and the stupid stitches wouldn't get back on the needle after a little ripping. But it sat in time-out for awhile and was much better behaved as a result.

I apologize for the low quality picture. A tiny hat is not an easy thing to photograph.

The second hat is for my brother-in-law. I used Filatura di Crosa's 127 Print (to match his scarf) and the Basic Cable beanie pattern from Stitch 'n Bitch Nation. A nice simple pattern. I came thisclose to running out of yarn, but luckily, I had a wee bit left over from the scarf. I like this hat, though you can't really see the cables. The variegated colors do highlight some of the twists.

This yarn is so warm...Within seconds of putting the hat on, your head starts feeling quite toasty.

Now, for My So Called Scarf. I've been wanting to make this scarf pretty much since I started knitting. There 'just so happened' to be two lovely balls of Misti Baby Alpaca Chunky in violet tucked away in my stash, previously thought to be destined for cabling. But I decided it would look nice as a So Called scarf. This yarn is, in a word, luscious. A little fuzzy, very warm, glides through your fingers like butter, and creates a slinky fabric. ♥

Now all I need is a place cold enough to warrant the wearing of baby alpaca....

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Updates!

• Hopefully, there will be pictures of Camisa soon.
• Three and half rows of Dogwood Donna have been knit--now that the hats are out of the way, it will become my focus.
• I have an overwhelming urge to knit lace. Real lace. So I hope to work on the Print O' The Wave stole (pattern is in PDF, just to warn you), from Eunny Jang.
• I WILL start working on my first sock. I will.
• And, I suppose, I'll revisit the Panda Hat of Doom and try to write out a pattern...
  

Now, I have to be off to bed. Class starts sooner than it really should.