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.