Merry Christmas Hats

Hats for gifts:

This rainbow hat is Stitch and Bitch's Devil Hat, but without the horns. I used my new favorite Bernat Mosaic yarn in Waterfall. It's 100% acrylic, but it feels like you're working with cotton.

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This is the same Bohoknits' Sockhead Hat that I made for Tyler. The sock yarn I used was two other projects before this hat.  When I bought it years ago, it was going to be a sweater for Britton.  That didn't go well.  Then it nearly became a completed hat, but I dropped a stitch and the pattern was so complicated, I had to start over.  The third time's the charm. 

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Another gnome hat from the pattern Earflap Hat I made it with a leftover purple, lavender, sage yarn.  I don't remember what brand it was, but it was softer than the Red Heart acrylic yarn I usually use for my gnome hats.  It's edged in Lyon brand sage acrylic yarn.

Thank you to my hat model, Kayla.

Not So Silent Sockhead hat for Tyler

After five, or so, attempts, I've finally made an acceptable slouch hat for my brother! I love how it ended up looking like an eye in the center.

I found this Bohoknits' Sockhead Hat via Ravelry.  This hat was simple and fun to make.  I love working with sock yarn on non-sock projects.  The skein was small and the work mindless, so I kept it in my purse and worked it wherever.

The first one I made was a little generous, so I reduced the pattern by 8 stitches.  I used Loops & Threads Luxury Sock Super Fine in the color Ocean.

  Me knitting away at an open mic.

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Thank you, Tyler, for letting me photograph you.  Happy Christmas, Dr. Jones.

AUSTENtatious Crochet

I'm absolutely taken by this book AUSTENtatious Crochet, by Melissa Horozewski.  It is packed with crochet patterns I can't wait to make.  The library is going to have to loan this one to me more than once.

Jane Bennet Skirt

Ball at Netherfield

Emma's Hood

I found a thorough, but slow, Austentatious Crochet Book Video Preview on Youtube. Melissa Horozewski's page on Ravelry features many of the patterns in her book.

Gnome Hats

 

I've fallen in love with this pattern.  I rarely make the same thing twice, but I've made about eight of these hats, to date.  They've become my favorite way to use up all of my old Red Heart yarn; it gives a nice, stiff structure for the peak of the hat.  I never do the loop at the top that the pattern shows. I think it looks goofy.

I found this Earflap Hat pattern on Lion Brand's website, so you won't be able to view it unless you are signed up to the Lion Brand site.

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I call the blue one Princess Habba (after a Swedish toy that my friend's son gummed to death as a baby) and I think I just might keep it for myself.  I got the flower from 10 Petal Popcorn Flower on The Laughing Willow blog, but I stopped after row 4; the popcorn row.

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I finished the ear flaps with either a braid of 20 to 30 yarn strands or a simple icord.

 The dogs are always ready to help.

I decorated the maroon hat with sage green yarn remnant and a pink and white flower I made up by either dc or sc into a loop.

Thank you to my hat model, Heidi.

Project Wildlife

Project Wildlife is a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation and conservation organization in San Diego, CA, that my sister volunteers for.  They assist over 10,000 birds and mammals representing over 320 species each year.

 Striped Skunk Kit

 California Ground Squirrel Kit

 Long-tailed Weasel

'Project Wildlife is a critical community resource for residents and businesses in San Diego County, one of the most biologically diverse areas in the United States with the greatest number of endangered species. People from all over the county bring wildlife patients to Project Wildlife for care and many local businesses such as landscaping companies, government agencies (e.g. Animal Services, CalTrans, SDPD), and animal organizations (e.g. SD Zoo, SD Humane Society, SeaWorld), depend on the life- saving services provided by Project Wildlife.' 

  Hummingbird Hatchlings

Gull Chick 

 Raccoons

Project Wildlife is also a candidate in the ideal4acause contest to win $1000 for their organization.  Please follow the link to vote for Project Wildlife.

R2D2 Hat for Britton's Star Wars Birthday

I made this R2D2 hat for Britton's Star Wars birthday from an R2D2 Beanie pattern found on Carissa Knits blog.

I made the child's size beanie using Vanna's choice in Silver Grey and Royal Blue, with buttons for... buttons.

 

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Darth Vader before and after he spilled his candy.

Cake and presents!

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Little brother, Ethan, gets in on the R2D2 action.

Happy Birthday, Britton.  :)  <3

Lessons with Safety Yarn

Robyn and Heidi came over for Super Girly Crafty Fun Time and both took on crochet for the first time.

First timers require the safety yarn of warnings and nooblets.

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Heidi is making a safety muffin potholder mask...

Complete with convenient finger holes.

Next time I'm going to talk her into making her own Beard Beanie.

Silly Heidi

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Robyn is perfecting the art of laying the yarn across the top and laughing.

Next stop - hat for Doug!

Robyn's socks of cuteness
Speed crochet!

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I worked on my R2D2 hat while Pants dominated the laptop and kept an eye on us.

Looks of disapproval lead to knit-breading the cat.