Let me give you a short summary of the conversation between my sister and I that lead to my knitting her a hat for her birthday, and one for Christmas.
Our email-conversation went something like this:
Me: Hey, I was thinking that for your upcoming birthday I'll make you a hat, what do you think?
Her: Sure, sounds great!
Me: What about these? (I sent her photos of Rosebud, Star-Crossed Slouchy and Norie).
Her: Well, Rosebud seems to small, Slouchy too big, and I am not sure Norie is my style.
Me: I should have known, OK, let's make this easier, go to Ravelry and do a search, pick what you like, and let me know.
about an hour and a half later
Her: What about these? (Attached are no less then 11 different hats)
nice try, right?
Me: I did not offer a life-time supply of hats, I said, one. You are making me second-guess the idea! Can you please narrow it down for me?
a couple of days later
Her: So I've been looking at the hats I selected and I am not sure I still like them. I can't decide, maybe you should pick?
Me (rolling my eyes): All right, what about deciding on a shape? Do you want a beanie type hat or more of a slouchy one? You must know which you prefer!
Her: Well I'd like to try a slouchy, never had one of those, but in case that does not suit me, a shorter style, like a beanie? How about you make two?
(See how she managed to negotiate that one?)
Me (insert exasperated sigh here): Two it is, one of each, I think you need to try something new. What about colors? Can you pick a color for me?
Her (picture a devilish giggle here): Whitish-pinkish-green?
I never answered this last email. My sister is notorious for having a hard time making a decision! Picture this exact conversation whenever we discuss what to do over the weekend or where to go eat.I think she loves torturing me like this, she knows it drives me nuts!
Ah, siblings....but honestly, I could not ask for a more wonderful sister. She's great, and she's my biggest supporter, especially when it comes to my knitting. It's a couple of weeks early, but "Happy Birthday" sis, and you know what? You do get a life-time supply of hats after all!
Ravelry details here: Sorana's Star-Crossed Beret
I've kept my word and started concentrating on Christmas gifts. First, I tackled a new hat for my little man. It's been a while since he's been outfitted with some hand-knits, so he was first on my list.
I've been meaning to try a color-work project ever since, in the spring, I took a course at my local yarn shop "Espace Tricot" (see more about that adventure here). I came across the Snowflake pattern on Ravelry and it immediately caught my attention. It's just the right combination of cute and traditional. I find there's not an abundance of cute patterns for little boys out there, so I was very excited to find something I liked.
I used leftover yarn from my Levenwick project, and thought a nice, contrasting orange would look nice for the color-work. Mirasol had the perfect shade of burnt orange. I've never worked with this yarn before, and can I just say it's.....oh sooooo soft! Holding two strands of yarn proved to be somewhat challenging, I still haven't found my own way of doing it, but I only had 15 rows of the snowflake pattern, so it was manageable.
I should not have blocked it lying flat, because now the earflaps are creased, but I could not find a bowl or a ball of the right size....and because I chose to make it bigger, it sort of needs a chinstrap to stay put, but all in all I'm pretty happy with how it looks.
I ended up bribing my already hyper 4-year old with chocolate to model the hat for me, but it worked. Does that make me a horrible parent?
I really like this picture of him, he's got the most devilish grin, does he not?
I've already moved on to my next Christmas gift, it's another hat, this one, for my sis.
It's been a year already, my blog has been up and running for a whole year. How time flies! Forty-six posts and quite a few projects later, I am having a blast. I have "met" so many talented, like-minded people, and it warms my heart to know that I have been included in such a special community.
Today I want to say thank you, thank you for being so kind and encouraging, for applauding my little successes and giving advice when needed.
I feel grateful to have found something that is mine, that gives me a creative outlet and allows me to make a contribution, no matter how minor.
I have to admit, I have been selfish. This is now three FO's in a row for myself, and to be honest, I am starting to feel a little guilty. Enough to have decided to focus on Christmas presents next. But more on that at a later date.
For now, let me introduce you to Levenwick. I really like this cardigan. It has a classic feel to it, and it fits nicely. The pattern itself, I did not find complicated at all, and I learned a few new things, such as the I-cord bind-off, the invisible purl increase, and a new way to make buttonholes. I am always amazed at how every project teaches me something new, but that also means that I still have lots to learn.
I drove myself crazy trying to find the right buttons for the cardigan. The ones I ended up using look OK, but I think that the perfect finishing touch would be shell buttons, something with a nice silvery-blue sheen. Etsy has a few options, but none in the right size, so I'll wait.
I have to say that there are so many patterns that have caught my eye lately, it's crazy! I received my copy of Coastal Knits, and I think I will have to knit every single item in it. Also Jared Floods new Loft Collection and of course BT Fall 11, how can you not want to cast on immediately? And have you seen Hannah Fettig's new Framed Pullover and Autumnal Cardigan ? How does she find the time? I do not believe there is one pattern by her that I do not love...How will I ever keep up with knitting all of them? Ah, there I go being selfish again!
What about you guys? What's on your knit-wishlist? Any interesting projects in the works?
