First is a new slouchyhat. The first slouchyhat was knit two years ago…

…and while it is wonderful and serves me well, the yarn is soft and pilly. And pilled it has. Half the cabling is lost in pilling.

This time I’m knitting a bit of a chuinkier slouchyhat this time, using the Star-Crossed Slouchy Beret pattern and Berocco Blackstone Tweed.

The hat is knitting just a smidge loose, which I think will be helped by blocking. We’ll see. I like it, though. Simple and fast.

Not so simple or fast, but thoroughly enjoyable so far… the Omelet shawl.

I am not far into it, at all. But I can see the patterns developing. I spread it all out every few rows just to admire the shapes and the fact that all these yarnovers and decreases form such cool shapes. It’s my first proper fancy lacework, and so far it’s relatively simple, as long as I’m careful to follow the charts.

Last but not least, my sock.

Nothing special, just a ribbed sock knit with KnitPicks Stroll Tweed. It’s nice soft simple yarn and it’s nice to have a small on-the-go project. And to tote it in, I have…

A new Zuma bag!!

I have wanted one for awhile, after coveting a fellow knitter’s Zuma bag at a knit night. They’ve been hard to find, but I located one on sale online, and it’s finally made its way to me. I love that it’s a big sack bag disguised as a cute leather girlybag. :) And the fake leather is so soft and nice. And the extra pockets are just perfect. Love it love it love it.

What have you all been working on? :)

And then test knitting by five others…

And then more vigorous review…

Look what’s finally back after a 6 month hiatus!

Go check out the pattern page for the download link, and please PLEASE let me know if you discover any errors, and I will get on them posthaste. :)

I want to say a big big big big THANK YOU to my test knitters and other amazing awesome helpers this time around: Cindy/random-charm, lindaturc, quiltingkidd, Sharon, and everyone else who offered helpful tidbits and suggestions along the way. I haven’t got you all in the PDF of the pattern yet, but I will. You guys were CRUCIAL and so thorough in your constructive criticisms.Thank you thank you thank you. If I can repay the karma, just say the word!

Any errors in the pattern are MINE, not theirs.

I also want to thank everyone else out there for your incredible patience, kind words and encouragement. I felt way more beat down about this pattern than I ever thought I could, but it was short-lived. Everyone was really helpful and caring and, well, I just love the knitting community. Y’all rock and I’ll be pushing the karma forward.

<3

Now GO KNIT SHARK HATS, all of you!

Two other hats have also been made recently, both for myself. I love hats.

First is Capucine. Love this pattern.

Knit with Manos Del Uruguay wool that I’ve had sitting around for far too long.

The ponytail in the back is cute without being too silly.

It’s a really nice hat to wear out on the town with my hair down.

I also knit a more functional hat. But for the sake of silly, I added little ears.

Knit from Cascade 200 heather in a nice plum, and edged with leftover Noro.

It’s served me well for long days/nights of shovelling. Insulating and cozy without being too thick.

Also, KniCroBloWeek is coming up soon!

I’m excited. Last year was quite fun. Link me your blog if you’re doing it this year! I love reading different answers and it’s a great way to find new blogpals.

Now off to prepare the pattern and email it off. Cheers for your patience, test knitters!

Just some sort of seasonal flu/cold bug, but it really knocked me on my knickers for a few days.

So, I knit.

While I was stocking up on some small skeins of dishcloth cotton at Wal Mart a little while back, I found Bernat Mosaic. I had not seen it before, but it resembled Noro Kureyon and was $2. I had to have it.

I decided to use the Lucky 7 pattern to knit a quick n’ cute hat to test out the yarn. The yarn knits very nicely. Breaks easily if I pull too hard, but so does Noro (and most other single plys). For an acrylic, it knits and feels very much like a wool. It’s amazing what they can do with acrylics nowadays.

The hat knit up in two evenings. Easy, fun knit. Here it is, modeled by a very sick me. Mind the face.

As you can see, the colours don’t knit up quite as gradient-like as Noro, but they still give nice subtle striping. I wasn’t a big fan of the orange in this colourway, but knit up in the hat I rather like it.

The hat is very nice, but contrary to appearances it does NOT fit me. It’s extremely snug on my head and gave me a headache just wearing it for photos. It is very soft and very warm, knit with love, has been washed, and is up for giveaway! I will be making a post regarding this very soon.

I’m not complaining, for a $2 hat that gave me something simple to knit on during a high fever. I would happily use this yarn again, especially for baby projects or other things that should be machine-washed. I recommend it as an acrylic, inespensive Kureyon variant.

Also, there is another illness being passed through this house.

If n0ot contained soon, this could become a pandemic of blanket-proportions.

Send aid.

Knit with Drunken Pennsic yarn, and reminded me of why I hate knitting long tubes of ribbing. It did knit up lovely though, and it is deliciously warm and soft. It will be a welcome outdoor companion.

Adventures in crochet to follow soon. Yes, you heard me.