Helmet Hat

Last month, after all the Thanksgiving festivities, I sat down and knit this hat for Malcolm. It only took me two days which I'm pretty proud of because sometimes these things stay on the needles for a long time. It was getting cold out and the little guy needed something so that was very motivating. It also helped that I already had the yarn (from the stash) and the pattern (from one of the Interweave Knits magazines - I don't know where it is now so I couldn't tell you the issue). The idea of this "helmet hat" is that the ear flaps cup the ears without the need of ties under the chin. I must have made it a little too big because it tends to slide around on the little guy's head. This week I plan to add some ties and that should help.
By the way Gymboree sells some awesome bubbles. My friend Sarah let me in on that piece of magic.

bags

I made two more dents in the fabric stash and out came these two Christmas presents for my Amy Jane and my Vera Jane.

Christmas Stocking Update

Merry Christmas.


Stockings were hung with care. But not as was originally envisioned. Months after Malcolm was born I started knitting him a Christmas Stocking. I was doing a random stripe pattern with his name and Christmas trees. I worked on it all the way down to the toe and stopped. Here's the problem, there were parts of the stocking that I liked, but overall it just wasn't turning out like I wanted. The random stripeiness was getting a little too crazy, even for me, and the yarn that was carried over for the lettering was pulled too tight. I don't know how else to explain, but it just wasn't feeling good. I think that as I went along, adding more colors and textures and trees - I was secretly yearning for something simpler in design. So I made the move to put it away - unfinished - waiting to be unraveled and knit into something else. A little sad when it was almost done, but it is never a good sign when you are working on something and you keep having to convince yourself that you are liking the outcome. My pottery teacher once said - "Sometimes you have to scarp it, take it off the wheel, and back to the wedging board." At this point, when it comes to knitting I think that there are other things I'd rather sink my needles into - like witches britches.
So, I made a little peace with my fabric stash, and in one afternoon stockings for the family became a reality. Unfortunately they don't have orange clearance - I should have checked before I cut out all the fabric. But, a favorite candy bar slips in nicely. Santa left me a Twix, Dave an Almond Joy, and Malcolm some "jingle bells" (Hershey Kisses).

pengle.esty.com

So I see my Aunt Paula has been adding beautiful things to her shop. Her pottery is truly amazing. Check it out.