Bye-bye Week hello Weekend

One of the things about knitting that I am grateful for is the distraction from everyday life it offers. This week has been emotionally rough. Luckily, I had my needles and yarn to help me through. I finished two more hats. Normally, this would be great news but it isn't...see a few weeks ago Andi from My Sister's Knitter started a kal focused on completing WIPS casted on prior to the 1st Sept. You probably already guessed it:- the hats completed this week were not WIPs (works in progress). I completely ignored the other projects that have been neglected for weeks or months (Sawtelle cardigan) and started something new. Sighs. In my defense, I was under the spell of new yarn. Yarn is my kryptonite. I just couldn't pass up the urge to play with new friends.
The first project is for a swap I am taking part in. Will post pictures once my partner receives her package. I don't think she reads my blog but you never knowwwwwwww.
The other hat I can talk about. In my knitting process I create the yarn feels/looks heavenly and I can't resist or I see a design that I must try. It was the former for the second hat. I spotted bernat Mosiac during a yarn sale not too long ago. I had never worked with it before. The sample knits in the store caught my eyes and before I knew it I had two balls in the fantasy and calypso colourways. I knew because the yarn was striped and colourful I needed a simple design to highlight it.



I made a Pom-Pom from wool-ease in eggplant. I love the way it brings out the burgundy colour in the yarn. I see myself making a few more hats with Pom-poms :)



I definitely don't regret buying clover Pom-Pom makers. It's much better than the one I got a few years ago.

The hat is on the big side but that's ok with me.

Fall Favourite pt 1

The air is beginning to feel chilly. I love fall- for the fashion. I love wearing cardigans, sweaters, tights, boots and HATS. If you can't tell by now I love hats. In my everyday life I try to wear them as often as I can. You would think for as many hats that I've made that I would have many for myself. Sadly, I have very few hats for me made by me. I don't always like how certain styles look on my head. I got lucky when I made Bergen street. It fits me exactly how I want it to. I wasn't sure it would fit since I mistakenly over blocked it. It is now more of a slouchy toque than it was prior to blocking. This is going to be my fall/winter staple.




Looking forward to discovering even more faves

Mid week update

Last week I posted my first attempt at dabbling with knitting without a pattern. Guess who did it again? This chick did! A few days ago, a coworker asked if I would knit him a hat. I needed an "in between project" kind of knit. Sure my WIPs list keeps growing and yes I have two projects that I need to finish before the month is over but how could I resist the chance to experiment on my own again. I was told that the hat must be fitted with a thin gray line around it, must cover ears and be able to turn brim up slightly. The emphasis on slightly was stressed several times. Very specific instructions but easy enough for me to follow. Armed with my needles and yarn I set out to make a hat. Two days later, Aruba was finished. It came out exactly as I envisioned it.

Dabbling with Design

When I first learned how to crochet my exposure to patterns was limited to doilies (or centres as they are called in Guyana). As a result of this my imagination was my on overdrive and everything I made was from there. I lost my passion for creating my own designs once I picked up knitting needles and discovered all the beautiful patterns the internet had to offer. I figured now is as a good time as any for me to change that, don't you? I went through my stash and this microfiber screamed "pick me, pick me!"



This is my first time working with micro grande by SMC Schachenmayr. I wasn't sure what to make with it after it arrived in my mailbox. But I love the sheen it has. I thought it only appropriate that my first dabble into the world of hat design should showcase the yarn. The pattern is a simple one. It is a basic beanie that has some slouchy-ness to it.



I had planned on adding a pompom but changed my mind. The crown looked too cute to be hidden with a pompom. Maybe my next dabble will accommodate one.

Starting September With A Bang

On the 1st September Andi over at MySistersKnitter started a new knit-a-long focused on completing WIPs (works in progress to the non-knitters out there). I really really really needed this challenge, because the good Lord knows I have a few projects that I need to get off my needles. They have been there wayyyyyyy too long. When did I stop being a monogamous knitter? I have no idea but what I do know is I don't like it that much. Startititis is real people...I love being apart of Andi's ravelry group. They have been very helpful in my knitting journey. It's important to be apart of a group that motivates, inspires, supports and fosters growth. If you're ever on ravelry you should stop by :).

Now that the knit a long has begun, I am sorting through the projects that I have been avoiding. First up is a hat that almost never made it pass the start line. I spent all of last night working on it. It didn't matter that I wanted to sleep and may have had a few moments of head nodding, I was determined to finish. Guess it was one of those "now or never" situations.

These pictures were taken immediately after cutting the yarn. Couldn't wait until I washed and blocked it. Yup, I was excited.



The first time I saw this hat I knew that I had to make it. The designer, Caryl Pierre did a fantastic job with the pattern. It was easy to understand. The crown of the hat is gorgeous. I love it! Plan on making this again. Any suggestions regarding colour for the next one?