Hat in Action

Here he is, wearing the Elf hat and showing Santa what he wants out of the Lego catalog (just like everything). Note the card he made for Santa on the arm of the couch....

You have to see this....

go look here

is that not one of the awesom-est and heartwarming pictures you have ever seen? Makes me proud to be a knitter...

The Winners Are......

77= Susan (Imagine Creative Name Here)
78= Nicole (Creative Journeys)
69= Naughty Noolie (picked her own number, how much fun is that??)
22= Amy R, NY
41= Sara B , NH
55= Sara B, NH (oohh 2 prizes or an upsized prize??)
90= Sara I, NY

Not everyone has a blog (or I didn't note it, sorry) but I do have everyone's mailing addy so expect a prezzie in the mail um, eventually. Sooner rather than later. Still trying to catch up and clean up around here ;)

and just a note: My dishrag tag team - Dishrag Taggers- is doing so totally awesome! The box has made the rounds and is on its way back to Emily in AL. Fingers crossed, we are in the top 3. Wh00t!

Oh, Hai! HowRUdoin?

Well. Life gets busy and the first thing to get cut from the list is the blog. Bad me. I need someone to take over when things get crazy- volunteers anyone?

Maybe I should do like Noolie, the Wednesday Night Bullet Post? But I can't commit to a day..

Or what do you thing of Twitter? I could add a thingy to the side bar and just send a one liner out daily.

So what's up with me? I did 3 knit contracts for a large knitting company and am not allowed to share any info, but I can tell you 2 sweaters and 1 tunic took a lot of time and made certain friends crazy with my chatter and upallnight knitting ;) (thanks to the peeps for the support)

School has started for The Mayor and myself. He has first grade and I teacher assist at preschool (2.5 yr olds this year. much boogies. already been puked on) . Plus there has been a TON of babysitting gigs- day and night. Whew!

Next in the news is the 300 hat project - wanna make that 903 hats? Seriously. I just checked the Ravelry group, Kristy updated before she left. 903 hats. can you freakin believe it??
Check out her blog for some cool hat pics. I'm just stunned, to go from 300 to 903? Knitters rock so hard! I cannot wait till we take over the world.

I promised prizes for hat donations and blog mentions, so I want you to pick a number from 1 to 98. I need 3 or 4 numbers - I'll post the names and prizes that go with those numbers. It will be fun! (I kept an excel spreadsheet with everyone's info. I'm geeky like that)

What's OTN now? um, the bad hair day scarf, a Hemlock ring blanket and a dog sweater for a Chihuahua. Links will be in Ravelry. Eventually.

Time's up. TTYL

More Hats!

Thanks to everyone who sent well wishes last week, the love was needed and appreciated. It was a bad bad week. In fact pretty much the entire month of August has sucked loud and hard. I'll be glad when the new month starts with school and associated crazyness.

Meanwhile, more hats have arrived:
5 from Meg in NY 3 from Trish at Knittin' and Lovin' It 4 from Susan at Imagine Creative Name Here (plus a mini knit meetup at Wegman's that was so much fun)
2 cupcake hats from Marianne on OK
and 12 from Sarah in NY!

Its so much fun opening hat packages and seeing all the work and love. I was on the phone with Kristy last night as we spoke about how amazing this entire project has been... it started with a measly 300 hats. Kristy thinks we may total 800 (yes, eight hundered) by the time she leaves.

Knitters are so awesome. I just can't wait till we take over the world!

Hats from Maine

Not last week, but the week before ( I think) I got a lovely heavy box from Noolie- HATS!! Some crocheted, most knit and all absolutely gorgeous.
This one is my fav-

and this one too...
Noolie has been such a great "imiginary" friend (what DH calls my internet buddies). She plays every contest, comments every post and supports each endevor whole heartedly. I'm a lucky knitter and feel so blessed to have made this amazing friend.

She's a damm good knitter/crocheter/spinner too.

Here is a link to all the hats she knit and blogged- click here and check them out.

I'm way way behind posting... life happens. I'm thinking of doing mini-posts, like a picture and just a few words. Maybe then I'll keep up?

or just list them.
Things to post: Rivendell socks- done, Bee & Thistle- done 2xs, Pro Natura- 50%, bad hair day scarf cast on.
OK fingers crossed I get some pc time later to toss up a few pics to the internet!

Today's mail is brought to you by:

Sara at FabricNFiberFanatic 22 hats and 5 pair of cushie slipper socks! Can you believe it?

Here is my absolute favorite hat-

A jester type of hat with mitered squares- so much fun!

Sara you rock! I'm getting a little weepy, 'scuse me while I go get some tissues.....

Oh Look, it must be Tuesday!

Time for the Tuesday check in, yeah me!
First up, another hat for the 300 hat project. This is some Manos that I rescued from a doomed project. I'm happy with how it turned out and have more of the same wool for at least one more hat. Finally some proof my spinning.... 4 oz BFL Spunky Eclectic "Time of the Month- Rage, Chocolate and Tears" I was able to spin even and much more thickly for a bulky (5-7 wpi) at 98 yards. I'm pretty darn pleased with the plying on this yarn (chronic underplyer)
Last week, the Mayor had swim lessons (again) at a new place and thank goodness I was KIP'ing because I met BeanGirl (link to her Rav profile)! It was great having a knitter to chat with while the kids were swimming. Anyway, she made a hat for the project... how cute is this? She is such an awesome knitter, its gonna be fun getting to know her
Here is a progress shot of my Rivendell socks... sorry for the bad pic, the camera seems to be having fits lately. The yarn is SO.NICE. its from Ruth at Knitting on Impulse in "Forest Floor"
I'm just loving the colors and the pattern is great- I'll get a better pic soon

Last up today is more proof of spinning: 4 oz of Columbia/Romney handdyed that I picked up at Woolbearers. I just set the twist, but it looks to be bulky and pretty even. Once its all dry I'll figure the yardage. This was a nice quick spin on the wheel and the purple/green reminds me of the Muppets.

What is up with this camera? Everything is blurry lately. Or is it me?

whoops, missed a week

Sorry about that... its been the usual crazy with lots of heat and aweful humidity thrown in to boot! We have a dog with one ball (do you really want to know?) and a sick 13 yr old cat (either a tooth abcess or a tumor. neither is good) Toss in swim lessons, karate and some babysitting and there ya go.

But the knitting goes on! I've finished the Shifting Hues Scarf...

I wish I could get better pictures- these do not show the awesomeness of the yarn or pattern. More pics on my ravelry page (I'll update today)
I finished the Trekking Pro Natura socks...
This is the yarn M4 gifted me for the b-day- so nice and soft. I just love the colors! Plus since I like short socks and have a small foot, there is enough for a 2nd pair- combined with a solid for heels and toes. Whoot!
And I finished up another hat for the 300 hat project- same yarn as before (I have 3 or 4 skeins) and a basic hat recipe
Whew! That's not even counting the spinning. I have to get that act together and document better.
Now I have another hat, Rivendell socks, an insane silk sweater (as in What was I thinking) and a few other odds and ends to keep me outa trouble (mostly at swim and karate)

That's my summer. How is your summer going??

The Best Birthday Evah.

First, 4 hats from the lovely and talented Veronica. Whee!!!!! Check out those miters! Yesterday was my birthday and it was GREAT! In fact I've had a month of superbusycrazyness with some awesome gifties thrown in...

Lookit Tola gave me... see that yarn? It has REAL SILVER threads spun in- So.Nice. Plus she made me a bunch of magnets (that the Mayor promptly took) and some pressed pennies (not pictured). I'm thinking a Tangled Faries (Ravelry link). Won't that look cool??

Last weekend The Mayor and I went to visit M4 and the Long Island Cats. It is a testament of my love for her that I make that 3+ hr drive of traffic stalls and mentally unhinged NY drivers, nuff said.
Anyway, she gave me a skein of Trekking Pro Natura and a set of Lanter Moon Ebony dpn's. (please note, M4 does not knit. She found a shop and charmed the ladies into helping her) I promptly cast on a sock (to decompress after the drive) and by the next morning was knitting the foot.... then the bad thing happened. I snapped a needle. WTF??? Potty mouth ensued and sock was put in time out. When we got home, I ripped and re-cast on with Knit Picks 1's - 2 circs.
The first sock has been completed (swim lessons this week) but is in the car so pics after sock 2 is toast.

Mail call yesterday brought this lovely package to my door....
Not the spindles, but all those fibers!!! (I couldn't wait and tested a bunch) The Amazing, Beautiful and Talented Noolie sent this package of Birthday Love! With stitch markers by her Fabulous Daughter Samm!

The purple/blue is an angora silk that I did not even pre-draft and look at how thin its spinning...

I can hardly believe it myself!

The red/brown is a center pull bump of Alpaca/Merino (I did not know roving came in center pull bumps)The bright blue is 4oz of merino/tencel, "Blue Hawaii" by Sereknity . I have it in the bowl on the server so I can pet it everytime I pass by (lots).

Other gifts included beads for my Chamilia bracelet from Mr., the Mayor and Mom-mom. Then a trip to Wegman's with lots of goodies (peanut butter pie, cookies and diet coke) and a hot Roast Beast sandwich from Riddle Ale House rounded out the day.

Thanks to everyone for all the calls, email and cards. Its a great way to start off my 41st year.

I asked if I can have a birthday next weekend.....whatdoyouthink? ;)

Tuesday Check In

I finished the Swing Top (Ravlery link) for the little girl I babysit:

She LOVES Gunnar and neither one can keep still
Some outside shots...
I made the 6 yr old size so it fits nicely with room to grow! I used TLC Cotton Plus so her mommy does not have to worry about special washing instructions. I also finished up another hat (basic hat recipe) for the 300 Hat project. Alpaka yarn- sooo yummy!
Check this out!!! Trish sent me a birthday gift!!! A great card, a sweet dishcloth (already in use) and a skein of sock yarn by The Knittery. Its 60% Merino, 20% CASHMERE and 20% nylon hubba hubba! I have it in a potter bowl on the server so I can admire /pet it each time I walk past. She finds the best stuff, really. Just nuts.

Now my next obsession is the Shifting Hues scarf by Ruth. I got the sock yarn in "Forest Floor" but as soon as I saw this pattern, I ordered the BFL too.

I'm a bit further along than this and you can really see how the colors just sweep from side to side. So Freakin' Cool.

And speaking of obsession and birthdays.....

I have been going nuts for Chamilia beads and wanted a bracelet like crazy soooooo....DH "got" (as in paid) for one for me... plus a few beads! LoveLoveLove it. I have the paw, a little boy, friend and seasons (from Oma blu), a claddagh and motherhood. I'm getting a few more too as the actual day comes closer. Fun!

OK, the Mayor has some peeps over to play, so I must go keep an eye out that they do not make another mud puddle.

Stay cool

Hats received and Hat pattern

FWIW- apparently tomorrow for me really means next week...

The beautiful and clever Amy R from Clayton NY has sent some hats! They are awesome She also sent 21 pairs of mittens. You know, just had them lying around.
These are some of the most fabulous mittens - I mean really, the knitmanship is just stunning.
Before you go asking... we are all about the hats, but Amy asked and had the mittens and well come'on- what goes better with a hat than a pair of mittens? I will MAKE SURE they get to Kristy for the plane to the Ukraine (rhyming me!)

Next up, a quickie hat in Emu Superwash. I actually won this yarn from someone else's charity project. What a better way to use it...
Here is another shot modeled by the ever patient Mayor. A basic hat and a quick satisifying knit. Want the pattern? K!

1 sk Emu Superwash DK or comparible (22sts= 4 inches on US6)

size US 6 circular needles

cast on 96 stitches- work knit 2, purl 2 around for 2 inches (careful not to twist your stitches!)

change to knit around for 5.5,6 inches from cast on edge

start decreases knit 6 K2tog around- knit 1 round plain

knit 5, K2tog around- knit 1 round plain

knit 4, K2tog around- knit 1 round plain

continue decreasing (K3, K2tog- K2, K2tog ets) in this manner until you have 6 stitches left, cut yarn and thread through live stitches- weave inside hat. Make cute pompom or tassle. There ya go. A great little hat that fits 20" to about 22" inch head.

I have another hat finished too, just need some pics and I'll post PLUS I need to show you what Trish sent (oh boy its good!)

Later...

More hat info

I've gotten a lot of questions about the 300 Hat project:

We would prefer wool or wool blend, but if you can't do wool, how about cotton or microfiber?
ALL sizes are needed- baby up to adult, but more adults (figuring they can grow into a hat or fold it up to fit. did you know they have to leave the orphanage when they turn 16??)
If you're ready to mail hats- send me and email (linky in sidebar) and I'll send you my snail mail
We have a Ravelry group now Here

If you are looking for me on Ravelry, I'm cbast25

****Stephanie from the comments, please send me your blog addy so I can get your ticket in (and add you to my blogger list!)


Thanks so much for your interest and support! And now since I don't want to have a pictureless post I give you

Drumroll, please.


Gunnar.


Such a spoiled puppy, but we loves him!

Hat Patterns

Elspeth from the comments is looking for hat patterns! Oh Boy, have I got hat patterns for you:

Adult (ish) hat patterns?? Look Here
How about children's hats?

There is sure to be something in there that appeals to everyone. Never made a hat you say?
Try this or this or even this.

If you can knit, you can make hats.

Have fun checking out the patterns!

The 300 Hat Project

Really. 300 hats.

Kristy is going to the Ukraine in September and will be "working with several orphanages in the town of Rivne. In particular, there is an orphanage there for special needs children – those with mental and physical disabilities, that don’t have a place at other orphanages in the area."

A hat would be like receiving a Christmas present for these kids. They have little or nothing to call their own and it gets COLD. So I'm calling all knitters to PLEASE, PLEASE take an hour or 2 of your knitting time and make a hat.

I will be the East Coast collection point PLUS host a contest! Many cool prizes! (to be announced later).

Prizes will be awarded for most hats donated, our favorite hat (1 for me, 1 for Kristy) and a random number generated hat.

How to enter:
1 ticket for each hat donated
1 ticket for each blog mention (really. mention it weekly OK?)

Kristy's LYS is even helping out with free shipping for hat yarn (mention you're knitting hats for the Ukraine) and a PRIZE! How cool is that? Just call Kaylee at Hooks & Needles to find out what's in stock.

Specifics:
All size hats welcome.
Warmth and comfort are top priority, so wool or blends. (face it, they barely have electricity let alone a washer to felt hats.) Issues with wool? Any natural fiber will do.
I must recieve all hats by August 28 (plenty of time to get them to Kristy)
Kristy needs 300 hats, so I'd like to send her 150 from this side if the USA.

When you are ready to send in your hats, drop a note and I'll send you my mailing addy (link to my email on the right)

Hat drawing will be held sometime in the middle of September.

Help us out, will ya?