Monday, April 14, 2008

Where have I been?

Jeez Louise, I just realized that it had been more than two weeks since I had posted anything here. What is it that has kept me so busy?

Well, there was the tax return that, no matter how long I waited, would not do itself. That always takes about three times as long as I want it to, and at least twice as long as it would take anyone else to do them.

I did find a little time to do some knitting here and there. I made this hat for Emma's friend Robbie who is busy right now fighting breast cancer:



This was based on the Robin's Egg pattern that I found on Ravelry. I made a few minor adjustments to the pattern because I was using a worsted weight yarn instead of the chunky yarn that the pattern calls for. I used Knitpicks Bare Superwash Merino, which is really much softer than I ever expected and washes up very nicely. I dyed this myself. One of the things I love about handpainting yarn is that I get to come up with my own names for the colorway. Finding the perfect name that accurately describe the colors is such a fun part of the creative process. I am calling this one "Green".

By the way, Emma is having a contest on her blog right now, she needs help redecorating her bathroom, pop over and help her out if you have a minute.

I made this hat, using the same yarn and pattern, for my parent's friend Darcy who had surgery today for an aneurysm:



I am calling this one "Pink".

I don't wear hats and therefore I never knew how much fun they are to knit. I have just become a hat knitting freak lately and I love it.

I am working on another Quant for my daughter's friend, Sparkle. Isn't that a cool name? Who could resist making a handknit gift for someone named Sparkle?

I entered a contest last week on Maglia, I won 700 yards of the most beautiful yarn. It's 60% Sea Cell and 40% Silk from LuLu's Yarns. The colorway is "Fregene" just north of Rome, Fregene, once a simple fishing village, is a quick getaway from Rome and an upscale alternative to the congested beaches of nearby Ostia. Throughout the summer, actors, soccer stars and the Roman gentry go there to feast in waterfront restaurants, to dance until the wee hours and, most of all, to tan themselves on the beaches. Fregene is a beautiful name, but I probably would have called it "Blues, browns and oranges". :) Just kidding, Lu, thank you so much for this amazing yarn:



No post would be complete without a list of thankfuls:
1. I am thankful that it stopped raining for a few days.
2. I am thankful for beautiful free yarn in the mail.
3. I am thankful for crazy young women named Sparkle.

13 comments:

Bea said...

Oh those hats are very nice. Hopefully they will bring some cheer. I wish both those ladies well.

Free yarn in the mail is a lovely lovely thing.

Hobbygåsa said...

Great hats you have knitted! And you dye your own yarn, fantastic. I just love the names you have put on your selfdyed yarn, green and pink, lovely! Seems almost as when I name my paintings; with snow - always called "winter", with natural colors - always called "fall" and so on. I wish you a great week!

Marianne said...

What Gorgeous hats! I never knew that about you, that you hadn't discovered the joys of knitting hats!
MMM, congrats on the win, that is some Very Beautiful yarn, colours are really pretty... hmmmm, some lacy knitting in your future? heeee.

My best to those ladies.

Kristina B said...

Can I have the "Glues Browns and Oranges"? Huh? Huh?

It looks like laceweight yarn, actually - so you really should give it to me, eh?

Kidding. Congrats!

Your dye work looks fab as well...I vote for "Canadian Shield" and "Cotton Candy" for the colour names, though.

:-)

Donna B said...

I love knitting hats too, so quick and useful....your pink one is great!
I will get to knit again when dh is on vacation, I hope. I need backup, so I can concentrate on patterns. lol.

Wow, a seacell/silk yarn with an exotic name! Have fun! :-)

Anonymous said...

Love the hats!

You really do have a way with thinking up the creative color names; I don't think I could do any where near as well!

Emma said...

Robbie loved the hat. And I love the pink one. So cute.

tracyb said...

I don't wear hats either, but once I knit one for someone else I figured out that they rock, because you end up with an FO so quickly! It's like instant knitting gratification. :)

Anonymous said...

Nice hats!! Love the pink one!

I finally finished the socks for Dona(sorry, it took so long). Will put them in the mail soon. Hopefully it will not take to long before you've got them in your mailbox :)

Anonymous said...

The hats look great. I am a big fan of the pink one!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful hats and wonderful yarn....

Susan Pandorf said...

Nice hats! I especially like the pink one - so cheery...

Blessings!

kathy b said...

I love your blog. Im bookmarking it!

Thanks for entering my contest at irisheyes.

I love your thankful ending to your posts. WOnderful twist. So uplifting.