First FO of the year.

Though the cat is an undeserving bastard, I cranked this out today while watching the Packers and Lions play at the pub.
Pattern is from knitty. ( http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring03/PATTdimsum.html ) I’ve also taken a bit of leftover white stockinette from where I changed up the Naughty Reindeer hat and used the sewing machine to whip up several more. They aren’t pretty, but the cat was stealing them from me as I made them, so they must be a hit.

Live Dangerously, Don’t Swatch Hat

Mr. Woolly models the hat.

Pattern: Live Dangerously, Don’t Swatch Hat by Susan Lawrence.
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden, color 225, less than one ball.
Needles: Swallow Casein US sz 9 dpns, purchased from The Knitting Zone. (picture below)

Modifications: None. However, I did use the k2 p2 suggested rib for the body of the hat.

Swallow Casein Needles, made from skim milk! How freaky is that?

Laid out under a “Reveal” lightbulb so you can see the colors clearly.

Check out that I-cord edge!

Thoughts:

I made this hat for a young man I know, whose birthday is this month, though I am not sure exactly when. He has another gift, but since his brother was the recipient of the Bobby Socks, I don’t want him to feel left out in the hand knitting department. Honestly, I don’t know if he likes hand knits or not. Hopefully he’ll like the hat.

The pattern was really easy, and it was neat doing a hat from the crown out instead of starting at the bottom like I normally do. I also learned a new technique, the I-Cord cast off. I really like the edge it makes, despite my confusion as to what to do when I got to the end of it.

I still don’t LOVE Noro Silk Garden like everyone else who has used it seems to LOVE it, but I don’t hate it as much as I did. I really do like the way the colors shift, but it’s no Lamb’s Pride.

Bri sniffs at Mr. Wooley

Turtleneck.

Pattern: Dog Turtleneck
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft, Lt Orchard Peach
Yardage: No idea, less than a skein
Needles: Addi Natura circs in US 6, Brittany Birch US 4 dpns
Modifications: I didn’t use that froofroo fake fur stuff, I shorted the leg cuffs by 1.5 inches and the collar by 1 inch.

Sometimes I give in to the urges of having a cute little dog that likes to wear clothes. This took about a day and a half. I am considering making another, not using the garter stitch at all. I think ribbing for the entire thing would be better, especially because Daisy is so big in the chest for such a tiny thing. It would also be more flexible in general, and I think she would like that better. At least now she won’t be shivering when she goes out on the porch.

The serious pose is at the top, the cute pose just below, followed by the “I am bored with this now” shot. :)