Hats, Holidays and Headaches

It's official. The holidays are here. Work is crazy, there are tons of people on 34th St. and I'm knitting gifts. I only decided to knit two presents this year. Both for co-workers. Both hats. And both quick knits.

















Colorimetry for my manager. She's very sporty and loves blue.


















And a very slighty slouchy hobo hat for the girl who writes in the same dept as me. Shes very classic with a touch of vintage.


I also made Allen a hat. He wanted one made entirely of cashmere. (who doesn't?!) I used Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere and was inspired by the Cosima pattern in Hip Knit Hats. My yarn was at a different gauge so I improvised. It came out great. I love it so much that I'm going to make one for myself in different colors.


















And finally (and I do mean finally. I'm sick of making hats.) I made myself Hannah. I had a lone skein of Misti Alpaca chunky laying around and knew that it was fate. I added a flower from Nicky Epstein's Knitted Flowers. Now I can wear a hat and have a ponytail!












And of course it wouldn't be the holidays without my tree. Here are some of the hats under it.




















Happy Holidays Everyone!

Forced to be Santa's little helper...

No, I haven't forgotten that I have a blog, nor have I dropped dead. I got a new job as a retail copywriter and it's the holiday season for us. I have been up to my eyeballs with work for the past month and will most likely be swimming in more of the like until January. I am also still teaching at The Point on some weekends. Of course, I have still been trying to knit but it's been a rather slow process. I finally finished my Claw Vest for Allen! Made with Noro Silk Garden in a lovely black, blue, gray, green combo. It's detailed with a claw cable going up the front and half way down the back.


















At first he didn't like the green but after trying it on a week ago, he decided it wasn't all that bad. I think he looks quite smashing in it.




















I've also been working on the Cowl Pullover from Knitting Nature. I'm using Suss Alpaca Tweed and its coming along nicely. I'll have photos next time. For now, here the cutest photo of Hope I've taken in a while.

When it rains...it pours.

I finally have a weekend off after working 2 whole weeks straight. Thank god for holidays. Even though I barely had time for sleep, I somehow managed to get a lot done since the last post.

I in love with my new kitchen and it has inspired me to be more of a "chef". First I made some honey mustard wings.










Then I decided to try my hand at brownies with my new Bakers Edge brownie pan. BTW- this pan is worth the investment.













After that, Leia, a girl I worked with at The Point got me hooked on her chili. So of course I had to make my own. Turned out better than I had hoped.













On the knitting front, the end of summer spurred me on to finish at least one summer knit before the hot temps left for the season. So I finished up the Keyhole Top from Spring Interweave. It turned out very nicely, except the yarn sheds like crazy. It's knit with Classic Elite Premiere. 50% Prima Cotton and 50% Tencel. A dream to work with but please carry a lint roller with you when you are done.








































Button detailing.



















After learning that my mother was visiting today, I quickly finished up the last couple of rows on the Brioche scarf I was knitting for her. She loved it. YAY!



















Here are my two lovelies just being goofy.