audrey loves wabi

I've been on a hat knitting binge lately. Strange, since until this year, hats were mainly reserved for gift or charity knitting and not for personal wearing. But I've recently discovered what great little accessories they make, especially when one is suffering from a bad or lazy hair day (which is every day for me). Plus, they can add a little handmade personality to an otherwise ho-hum outfit. I also like the fact that they can be worn comfortably for three out of four seasons here in Maryland. And the best part is that they are quick, fun and portable projects to knit.

This here is Audrey which is the first hat to kickoff the fringe hatalong hosted by Karen from Fringe Association. I used the recommended yarn, Snoqualmie Valley Yarn. Did I mention that hats are also a wonderful way to indulge in new yarns? So yeah, I broke from the stash for this one and it was well worth it! Not only did I have enough yardage to make Audrey but there was plenty left over. So I decided to knit a pair of wabi mitts to keep Audrey company.

I like how they look together and both were fast and fun to knit up. The hat turned out a little big, so I wear it more as a slouchy beret.

Right now, the second hat in the fringe hatalong is underway. It's a lovely little pattern called L'Arbre by Cirilia Rose. Mine is off the needles but still needs to be photographed, so more on that later.
Do you like to knit hats and/or wear them? If so, what style of hat do you prefer?

A Parade of Hats

This year's holiday hats are off the needles and all wrapped up under the tree! First up are two Windschief hats knitted with Berroco Vintage.

 

And one lonely Turn a Square hat knitted out of Berroco Ultra Alpaca and Vintage.

Both patterns make quick and easy gifts. Here they are modeled by the little guy. I had to bribe him with a candy cane.

"This is going to be the easiest candy cane I ever earned!"

"Man, how many times is she going to make me say 'cheese'?"

"Are we done yet?"

Hope your holiday knitting is getting wrapped up as well! As always, check out all the great projects on display at FO Friday with TAMI'S AMIS.

My List for Holiday Knitting

The holiday gift knitting is in full swing! And just like every December past, I feel slightly behind in everything. But the key theme for this season is to Keep It Simple. So with that in mind, I have come up with a list of criteria for my 2011 gift knitting. Each gift must be:

1) Fast. Because there is a deadline.

2) Simple. Because I do not have time to get into a fight with a project when said deadline is looming over my head.

3) Fun (or at least as fun as an item knitted for someone other than myself can be). Because I tend to knit multiples of a project and have no wish to poke my eyes out with boredom after the third ______.
(fill in the blank)

4) Useful. Because no knitted gift of mine should end up buried in a recipient's dirty sock drawer. And if it does, I don't want to know.

Given all of the above, my choices for this holiday season are:

Windschief Hat by Stephen West. I loved knitting my hubby's Windschief neck warmer and it was very well received (see #4 above). Plus after making four Botanic Hats last Christmas, I felt a little nostalgic and decided to go with another westknits hat pattern. The Turn a Square Hat was also in the running.

Double Bump Dishcloths. These are for Grandma L. (my MIL). Definitely fast and simple, although a little boring. Perfect holiday movie knitting. And wait till you see what I am pairing these up with. One down, several more to go.

Fingerless Mitts. I am using this great basic pattern as a starting point. These will be for my two nieces. Hopefully these mitts will be cool and stylish enough to be worn at least once. One pair down, one more to go.

And if I have time, I might whip up some of these for my sister and SIL's. Quick but gorgeous, right?

For more holiday knitting and crochet ideas, go to WIP Wednesday with TAMI'S AMIS. Happy gift knitting everyone!