poking along on the LTKA

I now have FOUR squares, woop de doo! Only 61 to go... o_O

Special-order hat and design improvization

I offered knitting "services" in exchange for a logo design -- and it's time to pay up! (Thank you, Susanna!)

She requested a slouchy beret type hat, like the hat in this picture:

Only with design elements more like those in this Missoni-inspired blanket (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/missoni-inspired-chevron-blanket):

Pretty!

So I combed through Ravelry patterns to see what was out there. I found two patterns -- one for the shape, and one with an approximate Fair Isle chart that I altered somewhat.

I am using this pattern for shaping (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/116-45-basque-hat-in-karisma-with-norwegian-pattern)

And I took the chart from this pattern as a baseline, and then recharted it a bit to make the widths of the stripes a little more "random" throughout the hat (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/opus-spicatum)

Due to budgetary constraints :\ I decided to minimize the yarn by using a self striping. I picked Mochi Plus, an incredibly soft wool/nylon blend with beautiful colorway that should have really nice drape.

The DROPS pattern, however calls for DK weight and the Mochi Plus is a worsted (so they say, it is on the thinnish side for worsted). Nevertheless, maybe I knit tight, or I don't know what, but the first two attempts at sizing were way too small for a relaxed, slouchy beret.

After a few false starts, here is my WIP (there is ribbing, but it's k3p1 so doesn't show up when not being worn...):

I hope the FO comes out nicely! If so, I may do another in white with the striping.

Finally, Spring

I have finally finished the Springtime in Hollis baby sweater that will be included in a silent auction for a fundraiser being held by a friend's alma mater.

This pattern is Springtime in Hollis, a pattern written by Teresa Cole of Comfort Wool. I am a licensed seller for her Springtime in Hollis and Andalusia patterns. You can see all of her designs on her Ravelry design page: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/teresa-cole

I really enjoyed this knit, and the yarn I used for this project. I knit it for the 12 month size in Stonehedge Fiber Mill's Shepherd's Wool, a very soft worsted, in the Great Lakes colorway. (The photos really don't capture the color well. The closest-to-true is the photo with the darkest green, below.)

Puff Hat

Was fooling around with a nice girly colorway of Patons SWS and made this hat, sized for a 2 year-old. I love the self-striping yarn, and the shape is funny, but cute!

The Learn-to-Knit Afghan

Going to be picking this project back up this year. We are doing a Knit-a-long on Ravelry. I have just barely got through half of the first square. I will be stashbusting to use up all my acrylic.

The KAL is officially going to start in March 2011.

If you are interested in joining the KAL, just pick up a copy of the book and cast on!

Beget-Me-Not

My colleague found another gem today on multitran.ru, a free online Russian-English-Russian dictionary that relies heavily on user contributions.

Farm Visit

My dad is visiting this week and we took a trip to Alstede Farms in Chester to let K run around and see the animals (which are all named "caa" for now, it seems). We also got to pick some peaches, eggplants, and raspberries.

Here is K peeking into the Bunny Run.

Picking peaches.