Purse straps

Today I perused a library book, Andean Inspired Knits by Helen Hamann. She's got a purse whose straps are made of two i-cords twisted around each other--what a great idea! After knitting the i-cords, you thread piping through their centers for strength.

Knitting

I surprised myself by knitting an entire headband on Thanksgiving, identical to one I'd made in August.

Thinking about knitting is sometimes just as fun as actually knitting, and that's what I'm currently doing--just happily daydreaming about knitting.

Pajama party

Paul's hat

Here's the handsome fella I've been dating, Paul. He doesn't like to smile for pictures. Tough guy, huh? But I caught him sort of smiling!



Here he's wearing his new hat, handknit by me with a heavy dose of apprehension. For you see, I wasn't following a pattern and I had to swatch and figure out gauge, and I was really, really worried it wouldn't be just right. Lucky you, I wrote it down:

Paul’s stocking hat

Description: Ribbed stocking cap to fit head 22-23 inches diameter, bottom folds up for extra ear warmth.

Materials: 2 balls Knit Picks Sierra (70% wool, 30% alpaca), size 10 sixteen-inch circular needle, size 10 DPNs

CO 92 with cable cast on. Place marker at beginning of row.
Row 1: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Repeat for 44 rows, or until hat measures 9 ¾ inches.

Crown shaping: I followed directions from Stitch ‘n Bitch by Debbie Stoller (pp. 162-63).

“Row 1: *K2tog, p2; rep from * to end . . .
Row 2: *K2tog, p1; rep from * to end . . .
Row 3: *K1, p1; rep from * to end . . .
Row 4: *K1, p1; rep from * to end . . .
[switch to DPNs]
Row 5: *K2tog; rep from * to end . . .
Row 6: *K2tog; rep from * to end . . .”

Break yarn, weave through remaining stitches and pull tight. Weave in ends.

He really liked the hat and thought it was truly wonderful. Paul doesn't understand the knitting obession, but thinks everything I make is beautiful and amazing, so he definitely gets a nice hat! (Final craft note: Paul's wearing a crocheted scarf, which I did not make.)

Knitting doppelganger

Wendy Wannacott must be my clapotis twin; what she's wearing in her bio picture looks like the same yarn I used to knit my clapotis. Weird. . . .

Dodger got a haircut!

Dear Santa,

Here's some knitting and sewing books I'd sure like. I've been a very good girl all year.

Knit 2 Together by Tracey Ullman and Mel Clark

Sew U: The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe by Wendy Mullin, et al.

Amy Butler's in Stitches: More than 25 Stylish Sewing Projects by Amy Butler

New Complete Guide to Sewing by Reader's Digest Editors

The Pleasures of Knitting: Timeless Feminine Sweaters by Ann McCauley

Stitch-It Kit by Jenny Hart

Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To by Jenny Hart

Vogue Knitting Stitchionary: Volume One by Trisha Malcolm

I'll leave out some Pumpkin Spice donuts and a glass of milk. XOXO, Sarah