English Rose In Class

On day two of SSK, I took a morning class on understanding sleeves and sleeve fit from Kim McBrien Evans of Indigo Dragonfly fame.

I had a hat in my bag and being the south….a super crispy cold coca cola. In preparation for the conference, I pulled another skein of malabrigo from my purchase last month and got another stockinette hat on the needles. This one is going to be called the English Rose hat as that is what the colorway is called.

I managed to get the brim finished, turned and started on the hat by the time class was done. I learned a ton about all kinds of sleeves and came out with some measurements and tweaks that I need for my next sweater.

More SSK goodness tomorrow!

Sunflower Decreases

I held out as long as I can and the Sunflower Beanie has reached its decrease section.

Malabrigo Rios has a reputation for flashing and pooling. This skein definitely held that up. Last night was not great lighting but you can see the large amount of variation that exists in the fabric. I’m not mad at it, it adds character!

I just really enjoy how soft this yarn feels and warm the finished gauge feels. This is hat #5 so I am still making progress to my year end goals. Happy Knitting!!

Copperhead Evening

Pretty proud of my progress on my Copperhead Hat. Duke, however, is not!

I have my DPNs installed and working star like decreases. Meanwhile, Duke would like another walk or more pets. Provided no more house disaster or new work deadlines I should have another finished hat this week.

Also, the kids arts corner is really starting to annoy me. I need to deep clean some time when they are not looking…..

Happy Knitting!!

Copperhead Progress

Thanks to annual budget season and a LONG public meeting, I was able to work through the brim of my Copperhead Hat in one sitting.

I was never so glad to be past the ribbing. I do so enjoy the speed of stockinette with worsted weight yarn. For this one I am going to resist my urge to finish the hat and try to make the body as long as possible.

Bonus points, it matched my work outfit today. The muggles at work were duly impressed even though I 1,000% did not do it on purpose.

Happy Knitting!!

Murder She Wrote And Decreases

The second pony tail hat has zoomed right along to decreases. And I have accidently discovered a new cozy murder mystery book obsession.

I am happier with this second version and the stockinette brim. I think it is a more substantial hat with a more “one size fits most” overall fit. I am going to copy the rapid decreases of the first hat ending with 2×2 ribbed ponytail opening. I think that stretchy opening will be multi hair style friendly.

As for my new book series, its only new to me. I have come to find out that the 80s TV show Murder Shew Wrote has an accompanying book series that is still making books today! This show is a favorite comfort show when I’m sick or overwhelmed. So my new book quest is to find and read as many of the 55+ of these books that I can find. The older ones are out of print but I’ll take what I can get.

Happy Knitting!!

Burgundy Decreases

The Better in Burgundy hat has reached the decrease stage.

When I am working my hat “recipe” I tend to use a star shaped decrease. For instance with 88 stitches I work in 10 stitch sections and the last one leaves me with 8 when I reach BOR. I then alternate stockinette rounds with decrease rounds until I get down to a handful stitches on the needles and then I decrease every row rapidly to finish.

It’s not perfect but it works for me and muggles don’t notice it’s not 100% symmetrical. It also helps that it require very little brain cells.

What is your favorite hat decrease?

Knitting, Legos and Zoos

Our local Zoo has a traveling Lego exhibit that is teaching about animals and conservation. We found a nice breezy 70 degree day and took the kids for a zoo trip!

Of course I had to take my Penguin Socks and take a photo with the polar bears! These socks have not grown much but progress is progress. The legos were super cool and they had signs that told us how many bricks they took. Fun fact…..its THOUSANDS.

Also, I nicked my finger cutting veg the other day so that has hindered my knitting slightly. Keeping a Band-Aid on help some but I can’t wait for it to heal.

Happy Knitting!!

Grey Brim

It’s sports mom summer and now that its 80-90 degrees, I’m happy the golf course has cold beer. For this session, lessons are two hours. So great knitting time!

I had been thinking about my first prototype ponytail beanie for my friend. I decided I really wanted a second crack at it. So I pulled a skein of TreasureGoddess Yarns worsted in Ghost Ship and got started.

I am doing my 88 total stitches but I worked a stockinette folded brim. I am starting the main body and when I get to decreases I will decrease quickly and then do some ribbing to leave a stretchy opening for a messy bun.

Or at least that is the plan! Happy Knitting!!

Burgundy On The Road

The Better In Burgundy Hat now has a full brim.

Thanks to the first week of summer golf and then some gym time, I have the brim knit and folded over. I am JUST starting the stockinette. So I should really fly now. I think I have said before that I taught myself to flick where I keep hold of the right hand needle. When I fully throw I let go and it slows the whole process down.

I just can’t help loving all these hats. Happy Knitting!!

One Rainbow Repeat

The Prism Socks are inching along thanks to all the hat mojo of late. But I have completed the first rainbow repeat!

This progress is actually thanks to a half day work training and then two weeks of gymnastics lessons. I don’t seem to pick this project up when I am around the house. It’s just so nicely portable and lives in my work backpack.

I think the plan will be to work a second full rainbow repeat and see where I am lengthwise and then I can plan the heel and cuffs.

Happy Knitting!!