I Totelly Get It

First things first, I finished the Thrum Socks!

I now officially have a gift "pile" rather than just a "gift" (of hand knitted items, of course). All I need to do now is find a suitable box, wrap it, find a card, and mail it all off to the recipient. But they're done! I've got this Christmas thing totally under control, y'all.

High on knitterly success, I decided I could reward myself last night by casting on a new project with some of my new yarn. I went with Brooklyntweed's Turn a Square Hat (I know, all those hat patterns I bought, and I go with the free Ravelry download...), and all I can say is: I totally get it.I have to confess something: I haven't been much of a fan of Noro up until now. I knit an entrelac sweater out of Noro (from the Debbie Bliss Noro collection number 2) a few years ago, and the recipient never wore it (get this: she didn't like the colours), and I was frustrated with all the knots... Anyway, Noro has not been associated with happy, positive experiences for this knitter.

And now I'm absolutely delighted by these here little stripes. I got through a third of the hat last night, muttering "just one more stripe" and waiting with baited breath for the colours to change. I definitely see more projects with Silk Garden in my future (like the Multidirectional diagonal scarf, which has been in my Ravelry queue for ages).

Speaking of hats, I mentioned last post that I had purchased a bunch of patterns recently. Inspired by my good friend Rhonda, I bought the patterns for Cassidy's Cap, Gretel, as well as 3 Knitspot Hat and Mitts/Mittens combos (High Peaks, Lacunae and Hot Waffles). And I saw today that Gina House, designer of the Amanda Hat (which I've knit 3 of) has come out with a more masculine version, called the Armando Hat. I haven't got any Malabrigo in suitable man colours, but I know that Robyn's supposed to be getting some in stock any day now... :)

I'll end today's post with one of my favourite pictures on Flickr, taken by Chris_J. It's called Baubles *Merry Christmas*, and I think it's puuuurdy.

Happy Knitting Everyone! I've got some stripes to watch unfold...