Winter Babies

I am behind on posting on my knitting blog!  I've made a few new things in the past two months.  First I made two baby hats for friends that had babies born in November and December.  Both new moms were colleagues of mine at my old school.  I was so excited to hear that they were expecting and had fun knitting these tiny hats.

Woolbur

I discovered an adorable children's book about knitting called Woolbur, by Leslie Helakoski.  I came across it while browsing for books to check out for Drew at the library.  It looked like it was about yarn so after flipping through it I added it to our stack.  It is a story about a sheep who doesn't want to follow the flock.  At school, he is supposed to be carding wool, spinning it, dyeing it, etc. but instead he cards and spins the wool on his own body until he is a big fluffy, knotted mess and dyes himself blue!  His parents keep worrying about him (i.e. "The dye will never wash out!") and Woolbur always responds, "I know!  Isn't it great?"  The grandpa also has wise advice to the parents: "Don't worry."  It is funny, silly, and has a good message, all while telling a story about fiber arts that all knitters will love!  I am going to have to buy this one to add it our collection. Hope you check it out, too!  

Hedda: Slouchy Style

I finished my Hedda hat in about 4 nights.  As I was nearing the end, I realized it was looking longer and longer--like it could fit two head lengths inside it!  I wasn't sure how to modify it and begin the decreases sooner because of all the cables and bobbles.  I decided to just finish it and see how the finished product looked.  What do you think?

It's slouchier/looser than I would like, but maybe I am just used to a more fitted style.  I think it could grow on me!  I'll probably just keep it as is for now thought and see how I enjoy wearing it.

If I end up wanting to shorten it, I think I could rip out the cast on edge and shorten it from that end so I don't have to undo the top.  I did that once on the bottom and sleeve cuffs of a sweater I made for Drew and it worked out fine.  

Hedda

I was inspired by this pin on Pinterest:

I did a search on Ravelry for hats with bobbles (those little balls you see on the hat), and found a great hat that looked pretty similar: Hedda.  I'm using yarn that Jim got me last Christmas.  It's Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyed...so squishy and lush!

I'm really enjoying this pattern so far.  It requires a lot of concentration as each row is different and complicated (bobbles, skinny cables, wide cables, etc.).  It is not a good hat to work on while watching TV or trying to have a conversation, but that is OK sometimes.  I like to immerse myself in my knitting; it can be very calming to have busy hands and mind!

I'm planning on making the slouchy version of this hat and I want to add a large pom pom like the girl's hat in the Pinterest photo.

Next on the Needles...

After the first week of October remained in the mid-80s here, I find myself thinking about sweaters and hats.  I'm ready for fall!  Browsing around on Ravelry and getting my queue set up...

I'm going to make the slouchy version of this for me in white.
For Drew, I'd like to do a fun, novelty hat (like his dino hat last year).  Jim suggested a monster hat, maybe like this one.  I would do knitted eyes, though, not plastic.  I also really like this hat for Drew.  I think it looks European.  I'd like to make him a pull over sweater as well but haven't found a design I'm totally sold on yet.  Any other suggestions?

QRS Knitalong: Completed!

Quaker Ridge Shawlette pattern by Susan B. Anderson

What do you think?  The only modification I made was that I only did 7 repeats instead of 8.  This made it more of a shawlette than a full shawl, but I am glad I chose to do that as I just have a tiny ball of yarn left over.  I didn't block it because I was afraid the fabric would get too stiff and not lay as nicely afterwards.  

I think it came out cute; I like the color!  I'm glad I found a use for my yarn and I had fun working on it.  It took me about 3 weeks from start to finish, working on it for a couple hours most evenings.  It has been fun to check in with all the other knitters across the country who are working on the same project, as well as Erica!  Looking forward to seeing yours...

QRS KAL: Finished 5th Repeat

I just finished the 5th repeat (of 8 repeats) on the Quaker Ridge Shawlette.  I think I may only do one or two more repeats and then add the ruffle.  I am liking the current length and may not want it to be too much bigger.