A Hat for Gabrielle

Here is another hat with skulls and crossbones. Katherine's friend, Gabrielle, saw her hat and asked for a black and white version. I was finished with the first row of skulls before I realized that the background was white and the pattern was black. That was not my intention, but sometimes projects just are what they are. I used Lang Jawoll yarn, US 1 needles and the chart from We Call Them Pirates.

School was canceled today for the second day in a row as we are getting a lot of snow! Shovels, hot chocolate and snow forts are on the agenda. We don't really have to go anywhere so we will leave the snowy roads to the other drivers.

Embossed Leaves Socks

Pattern: Embossed Leaves Socks

Interweave Knits Winter 2005

Mona Schmidt

Yarn: Opal UNI

Color: Teal

Needles: US 1

I used the tubular cast on recommended by the designer. I liked it. It is stretchy and it was nice to learn a new technique, especially one that works. The yarn is also a new one for me. It comes in many solid colors and I want to find a good "go to" yarn for color work. I will compare this with Lang Jawoll after a few washings. I also have some Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn in the cupboard, which seems to be a favorite amongst knitting bloggers. Maybe a new favorite will emerge.

Misty Garden Scarf

Yarn: Knitpicks Alpaca Cloud

Color: Smoke

Pattern: Misty Garden

Jo Sharp

From the book: Scarf Style

Needles: US 8

I was going to use this yarn for another pattern and make this pattern in another yarn but this is how things ended up. The yarn is doubled but the fabric of the scarf remains very light and soft. It looks good with a black coat.

Thunder Mountain

I'm loving the snow!

Good Dog, Carl

Pattern: Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf

Karen Baumer

Yarn: Knitpicks Shimmer

Flower Garden (1 skein)

Needles: US 5

This was a quick and easy project, trying to make the best of a yarn that is really just too bright. I wanted to make a scarf for a friend and she picked out another scarf entirely. It looks like she will be getting two scarves now.

This yarn is 70% alpaca and 30% silk and is nice, other than the color. It makes a very soft, lightweight scarf that is quite warm and comfortable. The yarn was cheap ($4.99) and easy to work with.

New Paneling

Our trip into the cabin a week ago gave me a first look at the new wood paneling upstairs. Dave went in with our friend, Pete, in September for a week. Those two guys did a tremendous amount of work. I think it only took one bottle of gin and two new saws but I may not have been fully informed.

We will trim the windows next spring and do the baseboards, etc. We will still need to build bookshelves, finish off the closets, and do many other finishing touches. But it is good to get the paneling and insulation done now as we will be much warmer when we go in for our winter trip in February.

Highland Schottische Kilt Hose

This is another pair of socks from Folk Socks by Nancy Bush. A series from this book is in the works but I keep veering off the path, distracted by other patterns and ideas.

The yarn is Sheldridge Farm's Soft Touch Heather in colour Opal. My lousy flash photograph does not do the yarn justice; it is a lovely multicolor blend yet it reads as a solid. It is a bit heavier than some sock yarns so I used a US size 2 needle. I modified the pattern by starting at the toe, shortening the leg and removing the calf shaping.