Virtue Beret
Yarn: Rowan Cotton Tape in Glint (from sweet Kris!)
Pattern: It’s A Tape Thing (Rowan 2004)
Needles: Size 11 and size G crochet hook

This hat was easy and fun. It is mainly knit in reverse stockinette, with a band of crochet (4 rows) around the edge. I modified the pattern a little making the crochet band shorter and smaller gauge (it called for a J hook, and I used a G) and I got the fit I wanted–it was way too slouchy with the J hook. The only thing about it? This hat is hard to wear with bangs. It smushed my hair down and made my bangs go in my eyes, hence wearing it further back on my head in the above pictures.

The yarn was absolutely great, and I will definitely use it again. It is like knitting with shoelaces… but in a good way! The other pattern that I have had my eye on in this book is Angie. I will probably wait till next spring before I do that though…

I have not yet cast on for my Kidsilk Haze cami, and I am glad that I waited. I was going about it the wrong way! The directions in the book, Weekend Knitting, were very unclear about what to do with the DMC Cotton, and I just assumed that it was held with the KSH throughout the whole knit. Thanks to Terhi and Blossom, I now realize that the DMC is used for a crocheted edging around the neckline, sleeve holes, and hem.

I hate it when knitting directions are vague! (and the picture in the book did not help either…) Thanks girls… I sure would not have figured that out on my own!

Last night was a sad night over at the Lolly house. One of our all-time favorite shows, Six Feet Under, had its series finale. Gosh, I am going to miss it. I love those characters and the storylines so much… now Sunday nights just won’t be the same.

While watching the last episode, in its 75-minute glory, I finally finished Trekking sock #1, through my tears and sobs…

Yeah, yeah, it took me long enough. I still have a whole other sock to go. Maybe I will finish it by December. Well, sock 1 is a little big. I knew this was going to be the case… thank goodness it is not really big. It is still very wearable. So my first sock is officially finished… I am proud! (Why is that I am more nervous about putting my feet on the internet than I am about putting my face out there?)

A large part of my weekend was also spent on reading. I don’t get much time to read what I want anymore with grad school, but this two week break (now only 1 week left) has given me the chance to read for fun!

This book received rave reviews in 2003 when it came out. I bought it then, figuring I would be able to fit it in. Not until 2005 did I even open the cover. Wow, what a great story though! This book has been so engrossing. It is a non-fiction about the events surrounding the 1892-3 World’s Fair in Chicago. The author really did some great archival/library research for this one! … and you know how I love that!

Have a good one!

I picked up the DMC Pearl Cotton floss on Thursday night, and I couldn't stay away… I immediately started swatching for the Kidsilk Haze Cami and Cowl. It did take me a little while to get used to the cobweb nature of the KSH, but when held with the floss, it is heavier and easier to manage on the larger needles. I got gauge with 10.5 needles, so I am going to cast on for the cami very soon.

There were so many colors of floss at the store, and this was the closest match. It is a little darker (redder) but I think they look quite nice together.

It seems like so many people are planning for their fall knits (of course our friends in the southern hemisphere are excited about all of their summer knits!) and I am doing the same. In preparation for some of my knits, I joined two knitalongs:

Friend and fellow Harry Potter fanatic, Heather, and I planned to do a HP scarf swap for the Weasley along (we plan to finish them in time for the movie premiere!) I will make a Ravenclaw scarf for her, and she will make a Gryffindor one for me! The new knitalong is not just about the Weasley sweaters, but includes anything and everything Harry Potter. We have not purchased the yarn yet, but we will soon–probably a simple wool or wool blend yarn.

As for the Hourglass knitalong, I am waiting for my best friend Bec to receive her yarn from KnitPicks. She ordered it, and when it comes in, we will cast on together. This will be her first sweater!

I did a swap with Strikker Kris in Norway awhile back… and I got my package from her in the mail yesterday. Kris, thanks so much for sending so many lovely things!

The Norwegian alpaca is lovely, and I will have to think of something very special for it! If you have a suggestion, let me know.

…and this Cotton Tape is SO cool. Last year, I got the book It's a Tape Thing. I love so many of the patterns in it, but I never picked up any of the yarn. Thanks to Kris, I can now make one of the things I have admired for so long! Virtue, the Cotton Tape beret!

Sure, I had other projects waiting (Bolero v. 2.0, the Zigane scarf, the other Trekking sock, and the new KSH cami to cast on for) but this Cotton Tape was seriously screaming my name. I could not turn it down!

Knitting up so quickly (probably about an hour!) I came to some uncharted territory: the crochet rows! So, with very little crochet knowledge, I pulled out some of the books, and found some how-to websites, and I jumped right in. So far so good! I have been wanting to learn more about crochet for a long time, and this just confirmed it for me. I want to take a class at the LYS and learn the fancy stuff! Granny squares, here I come!

The hat will be done in no time… and then, I am gonna start that KSH cami, baby! So many great things ahead!

Have a happy weekend!