I don’t know about you gals, but me, I’ll be the first to admit - my hair and I don’t get along. Some days it’s sleek and straight, other days, it’s this. Can you see the weird ass curls that seem to have a million directions? Yea, there’s no taming that. See I fall asleep in my damp hair many a nights, so the top is flat while the bottom flares like wildfire. Quick, must find a way to cover up the bad hair day. Amelia Earhart to the rescue - again. This time, in size 8’s and one ball of KFI Cashmerino in teal (55% Merino, 33% Microfiber, 12% Cashmere). This is the third time I made this hat, and I finally get to keep it. And yes, that’s Raspy I’m wearing. Loving it too.
Around 9-ish tonite.. I decided that I’m in the mood for some soup. I wore my new hat, totally working it as I walked to the restaurant for take-out, and totally working it as I drove home - window down, of course. Gotta feel the wind in my hair. Two seconds later, I discovered that I had totally locked myself out of my apartment. Oh shit. The landlord does not live in my apt complex, and I’m too cheap to call a locksmith (The last time I did that it cost me 100+ buckaroos - think of all the yarn I could have bought with that money… yes I think of money in terms of balls of yarn). AHHH… what did I do? Hm, let’s see. First, I uninstalled the mesh screen from my window (had to fight through the thorns of the evil rose bush standing right infront of it), propped the window open, and crawled through a foot long crack. Then I found my keys, went out again to re-install the mesh screen, and came back inside, relieved. Whew, that stealth operation was worth at least two bags of Rowan yarns…..
Mari tagged me for a meme. But that will have to be another post. Stay tuned….

Finally finished BF’s socks.
Pattern: 4×1 rib, 68 sts to 7″, 68+2 sts for 1″ (8″), then 68+2+2 sts until 9″ before turning heel. For a man’s US sz 9 feet. BF likes them a little snug.
Materials: Sz 0 needles, Trekking XXL Color 111 (75% superwash wool, 25% nylon, 100g/ 459yds)
Just having fun with Photoshop. And oh yea, the headband is a Finnish pattern and the translation can be found here. I used 2 strands sportsweight yarn with US sz 5 needles. I think the pattern is written for worsted weight yarn.
Edit: Just discovered two beautiful sock patterns. Click here.

100% inspired by Emily Mills. Here’s my two-cents.

Yarn: Nature Araucania Wool Chunky
Needle Size: 11 circs
Notes: For this hat, I based the directions on Knit One Felt Too’s Classic Cloche, and used some cream colored wool I had lying around. After felting repeatedly in my teeny tiny bathroom sink (now I understand why Emily Mills charges $200-300 for a hat.. damn.. that was hard work), I took my scissors and went at it. Oh, did ya notice my awesome hat blocker? It’s a round bowl stacked on top of my IKEA pot. Just the perfect size, 21-22″ around. For the embellishments, I bought a yard (who sells roving in yards? Don’t they sell them by weight?) of orange roving at my LYS when I picked up a set of felting needles. From then on it’s just stab stab stab stab… very therapeutic if you ask me. Good workout for the flabbies on the arms too….

You didn’t think that’s all did you?….BAM!

Project: Bella Paquita (Small) by Marnie Maclean
Materials: Baruffa Maratona (6 balls at 121 yds/ball), US 7 circular needles
Techniques Learned: 2×2 tubular cast-on and off
Notes: waist shaping inc/dec still looked a little wonky. Marnie recommended lifted increases for the shaping. Did not complete all the rows as specified in the pattern (5-6 rows short). Just kept on trying until it is the right length for me. Increased sleeve length by 2″. Provisional CO for body, tubular BO for body, 2×2 tubular CO for sleeves.

Close up for the lace pattern along the neck-line (8 repeats total..I think). This is probably the truest representation of the color of the yarn. It’s a deep mauve/purplish worsted weight merino. Overall this could be considered an easy knit, but I was just too anal. In the end, I compromised with the wonkiness because I had to move on to a new project. Bella is still considered as a learning sweater because the shoulder seaming isn’t perfect too. Next….

**It’s an overcast day outside I know, but my shades just look too good with my new hat..**

And now, for a little stash-busting. This is the Amelia Earhart hat pattern that’s been around for some time. I wanted some instant-gratification, and with the pink Wool-Ease I had lying around plus a few hours of vigorous knitting, here are the results. Me thinks me needs more stashbusting projects like these.. very tempted by the One-Skein Wonder by Glampyre…hm.

Project: Lacy Baby Bonnet in Knitting for Two
Materials: Sz 3 & 5 24″ circs, Zegna Baruffa Aerobic Yarn (100% superfine merino in red)
Notes: Will forgo the huge-ass ribbon which creates the Princess Leia look, but attach 2 i-cords instead. Since my i-cording skills suck, will be using my nifty Clover Wonder Knitter (can you say…what a lazy ass?). Will be using leftover yarn for baby mittens.

Continuing with the process of gift knitting, here’s the lacy bonnet that every baby gift knitter seems to be raving about. (Andrea’s making one the exact same time I was making this too!) I have a lot of leftover yarn (and it is soft as a baby’s butt) so I will probably whip up a pair of mittens since the little munchkin who will be receiving these likes scratching her face. You might be taken aback with the really bright red, but since the recipient’s mommy loves red, I am hoping the baby will get to wear this more often than once. Hell if she doesn’t like it, I’d be more than willing to recycle the fine merino for moi. Ha Ha. Okay, I am just kidding. I am not that terrible a person.