Hat 4, Week 4

This funky pink and green hat was the first ear flap hat I have ever done and by far one of my favorite hats. I used this Basic Ear Flap Hat Pattern with some minor modifications. First, when connecting the ear flaps I knitted around the wrong side (i.e. I knitted across the purled side) instead of the right side, so I could work in a horizontal 4 x 8 ribbed pattern. Secondly and very obviously, I added the 4 x 8 horizontal ribbing. The last two modifications were a pleasant accident. I actually didn't plan on the ribbing, but went with in when I realized I connecting the ear flaps the wrong way. Oops. Lastly, I added the braided ties.

Hat 3, Week 3

I actually started knitting this honeycomb hat before I started the 52 hats in 52 weeks project; however, I finished it during week three. Therefore, I am calling it week number 3 hat. The cabling in this hat was very tight to knit and I am a lose knitter. For the decrease in this hat I cut out all of the straight knit rows (all even rounds) because I thought the decrease made the hat look too boxy. I don't actually like the finished product of the hat very much, but my boyfriend really likes the fit and look of it. If I was to do this pattern again, I think a variegated chunkier yarn would look better, but I'm still trying to use up a lot of the yarn remnants I have for hats.

On another note, I just ordered some roving that I am going to dye and spin on the new drop spindle I made. Hopefully, I will have a great looking hat made out of some handspun yarn.

Hat 2, Week 2

So, another simple 2 x 6 ribbed beanie to finish off some leftover yarn. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough green yarn for the last decrease, so there is a bigger hole on top of the noggin' than I prefer. Nevertheless, this was a fun project that I knitted in one night while watching movies. The lovely model is my boyfriend, Chris. I swear he is happy about the hat, but not the sun in his eyes.

Hat 1, Week 1

This hat was made for a Bowhunter's Silent Auction - hence the camo. My boyfriend bought the yarn and asked me to knit up something quick, so that is precisely what I did. It really got this project off to an easy start. The pattern is a very simple 2x2 rib.

52 Hats, 52 Weeks

Okay, so I am borrowing this lovely idea from a fellow blogger and knitter (52 hats, 52 weeks). I am going to attempt to knit, perhaps crochet if I learn, 52 hat in 52 weeks. For anyone interested in following this blog, I will label all subsequent knitting pages for this project "Hat #, Week #."

I started knitting years ago, but gave it up for some unknown reason, but I am back in the game. Hopefully, I will improve my skills tremendously and force myself to tackle more advanced knitting projects. Perhaps, by the end I will have some of my own patterns. Nevertheless, I will always give credit to the designer of my project. I am also learning to spin, so I am excited about knitting a hand carded and hand spun hat, but more on that later.

The first few hats will probably be fairly drab since I am attempting to use up all the scrap yarn I have around the house, and there is a lot of it.

A little diddy about me...

I grew up in Southern California and spent summers with my father in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I have two beautiful sisters that live I Rome. Andrea and Lea ages 35 and 33, respectively. When I was around 18, I moved to a quaint little town on small island off the coast of Washington with my mom and step-father. There I took a few college classes at the local JC to prepare myself for attending Southern Oregon University in Ashland, OR. I only attended a couple semesters before I got wrapped up making way too much money selling espresso machines for someone at the tender of 20. Soon after I realized that money was not the route to happiness, I quit my job for the coffee company and started and finished school and the University of Oregon. I graduated in 2006 and headed to Missouri. Why? I am still not sure, but I tell people that I ran out of gas. I have now lived in Missouri for 3.5 years. I recently finished my Master’s degree in Biology. Not the greatest time to graduate with the economy and all, but things will look up soon. I live in rural Ozarks with my boyfriend, Chris, and our two dogs, Sandy Boy and Emmylou. I absolutely love it here. It is hard to imagine living anywhere else. I remember when I first visited the Ozarks and I saw a double wide trailer with a confederate flag adorning the rooftop, and thought, “what have I gotten myself into this time." Well, things have changed, not the confederate flag thing, but my appreciation for Ozarks culture and streams. In my spare time I am often knitting, photographing, brewing beer, canoeing/kayaking, hiking, cleaning the coop or whatever activity the day sets forth.