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A little over a year ago I received some wonderful yarn from a good friend, with the specific instructions that I make something for myself with it. I have a hard time doing that, and it was such pretty and soft yarn that I couldn't quite think of the right project. It was the perfect weight for some winter socks, but I just couldn't justify using an alpaca/silk blend on my feet. Finally, after I had finished a sweater for the Little One (who indeed is not so little anymore and uses a lot of yarn for a sweater), a couple Christmas washcloth-flowers for our daycare lady,  and quickly snuck in another little mystery project, I found myself ready to use up that yarn. A hat seemed like a good idea, since I don't really have any that I like, and then my head gets cold. An alpaca/silk hat sounds fantastic, doesn't it? 

Well it's finally complete: 

It's based on theNorwegian Star Earflap hat, changed a bit to accommodate an extremely different gauge, but the chart and idea is all the same. I also included some crochet edging to keep it from rolling up and poofing out, as I found my gauge in the beginning to be noticeably different than the fair-isle gauge. It's a bit silly, and not perfect, but I really like it. And it's so soft and warm I really don't want to take it off. (Yes, it does cool off in the evenings. To like 60 degrees. Brrr. And they say we might get some more rain next week. So I'll need it then for sure.)

Thanks Merce!

PS. I may or may not be in labor right now. Things are moving at a decidedly different pace with this one, and contractions are coming at odd intervals. Soon though... think good thoughts!

M: socks!

Look at my feet! They're covered in socks!

Handmade socks! Made by me! I'm pretty pleased, if I do say so myself.

I wasn't sure that I'd like the odd pooling action but I've concluded that it adds personality. And they are so soft. And handmade! I rock.

Pattern: Jaywalker, by Grumperina (yes, I think I'm the last one to jump on that bandwagon)

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport, aquired for an excellent deal at an Eastside Stitchers yarn swap a long long time ago. (Was there a time before Lily? Not sure.)

Mods: None, except for making the leg portion a bit shorter. I don't like my socks very high. (And I was paranoid about running out of yarn.)

I really liked this pattern - mindless but still pretty enough to keep me interested. I started them while I was still pregnant and then took a bunch of time off knitting, and finally finished last month.

Yay socks!

B: Happenings

It's been a while so I thought I might post some news and happenings.

Mandy and I were both down in S. California last week. I was there for work, but Mandy ended up coming down at the same time to be with her mother who was sick. It was great that we could both be down there with Lily to help her parents out. Her Mom is doing a lot better, and it definitely seemed like having Lily around helped distract her and brighten her up during her recovery.

Lily is now 10 months give or take a few days. She is trying to stand independently and falling a lot. She shuffles along the furniture, and manges to get into her fair share of trouble already. Crazy stuff! We make it a rule not to post pics of ourselves or Lily. Instead here are some actual lillies. These are in my front yard. They look the best that they ever have. I guess 3 years of neglect is really paying off.

We cook even more than we used to and I feel like we are both getting to be pretty decent though we still have a lot to learn. Mandy made a lemon blueberry tart while Lily napped today which I think looks super awesome. We are both stoked to cut into this sucker tonight. We just finished some homemade icecream last night. I made mexican chocolate cherry almond. It was pretty good and a bit spicy. Unfortunately I failed to grab a pic.

If we are lucky maybe Mandy will have a few free minutes some day soon and she will post about her socks....They are pretty sweet.