You Can Never Have To Many Hats

Can you? Well maybe you can. But if you give them away then you don't have too many do you? This is my latest hat - the Thorpe pattern made for a friend who is going up to the snow. It's a great pattern that knits up quickly. I decided that instead of doing the garter stitch at the bottom and on the ear flaps that I would use seed stitch instead. I also used the same yarn for the crochet border because I thought there was already enough going on with the multi-colored yarn. I like how it turned out. I used Lorna's Laces Shepard Worsted but the pattern called for Malabrigo chunky. I think a chunky weight probably would be good to make this hat have more body. I think another one of these cuties is in my future so I'll try a thicker (or doubled) yarn for the next one. The long braids are really fun too.

Continuing with our hat theme I knit another Amanda Hat from the Katia Mexico yarn I got in Lake Tahoe. It's a beautiful, vibrant yarn that knits up nicely. I think it's just perfect for this hat pattern. I made it for the daughter of our friends who invited us to Tahoe but when Horsey Girl saw it she just had to have it. How could I say no? I'll make another one for Tahoe Girl. I tried to find some more in this color online, eBay and Ravelry with no success. I guess I'll just have to keep my eyes open.

I just love the way the Amanda hat comes together at the top.

And in the most important news . . . . look who may be coming to live with us soon. Isn't she adorable?

Hodge Podge

Before you read any further you HAVE to go to Wendy's blog and check out THIS! It is just hysterical. Remember to come back though - I'll wait for you . . . . .

OK so you're back. Did you love it? It just cracks me up every time I look at it. She always finds the wildest things to post on her blog. Next I want to belatedly thank Wendy (you're already seen how awesome her blog is if you obeyed my first request :-), Bonnie (check out her adorable quack hat and booties) and Marie (check out her blog for the most amazing cabled scarves, bracelets and more!) for nominating me for the Kreative Blogger award. I feel so special. Thank you ladies and I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to post about it. I guess I'm just behind in about everything these days.

Here are the rules for this award:

Copy the award to your site.
Link to the person who nominated you.
Nominate 7 other bloggers and link to them on your blog.
Then leave a message on their blog notifying them you have nominated them for this award.

It would be easy to list more than 7!! I did not list the wonderful ladies who nominated me (since they are linked above) and that gives me a chance to really have 10! What can I say, I'm a lawyer and like to find ways around the rules. So here goes:

Jennifer - is one of my best knitting buddies and is an enabler who often leads me astray.

Monica - is about the most prolific sock knitter I've ever seen and writes great patterns too.

Janice - go check it out - you're going to want to move in with her!

Lisa - check out her most recent awesome sweater and hear all about life in Alaska.

Kristen - is one of my more recent knitting buddies and manages to juggle work, home schooling and knitting!

Brooke - is one of my buddies from a long ago SP. She's going through a tough time - please go give her a virtual hug.

ADD Knitter - this is a new one for me. I don't really know her but found her through links on friends' blogs. I just HAVE to love someone who makes that many hats!

I also haven't told you about Stitches yet! Boy am I behind. Mom and I went to opening day for Stitches West in late February. The theme was Intarsia and it was so fun to hear all the different speakers. There was Nicky Epstein, Lucy Neatby and several others who I can't remember. They each showed some Intarsia knitting and their pieces couldn't have been more different. It shows you how many different interpretations there are of this kind of knitting. Then we took a class from Nicky which was interesting but I was a bit disappointed because even though it was a 3 hour class she really only had 1.5 hours of material. Also I guess I was hoping for some secrets to Intarsia but really didn't come away with any. However the next day Mom took a class on Shetland shawls and she can't stop raving about it. They made the cutest little shawl and then the teacher said they had all the basics and could now make a big one. I'll try to get it from her soon and post a photo for you.

Then of course there was the market. There seemed to be fewer booths this year due to the economy but I'm happy to report that it was very busy. I'm glad for the vendors as I want them all to stay in business! I tried to do my part but didn't really buy that much. I got the mohair above to make the Spectrum scarf. I've been toying with making it and now decided to go for it. The one thing the photo doesn't show is that the light colors are silver/creme and a great soft lavender.

Next I got some Mini Moochi. It's a new yarn by Crystal Palace that is supposed to have colorways like Noro. I really don't like the feel of Kureyon but I love its colors. So I thought I'd give this a try. They folks said it is selling like crazy and they can't get enough of it. It is very soft and the colors are vibrant. These are two different colors to make the Brooklyn Tweed Noro scarf I keep seeing everywhere. Mom bought some too and has already started a scarf with it and it's oh, so soft.

I also got some Tonalita yarn which is a soft and colorful yarn to make scarves or hats or something - yes - I know - I should have a pattern in mind first but they were so pretty!

I leave you with some more signs of spring. My orchid is blooming again and that always makes me so happy.