Fall plans

Summer is quickly fading in these parts. For a couple of weeks I've noticed it's been dark in the morning when I take the dogs out and I've had to turn on lights at around 7 PM (when before it wasn't even really dark when we went to bed!) The rain has also returned. I know it borders on sacrilege to say so, but I'm not sad to see summer go this year. I miss cool temperatures, rain, soup, wearing woolies. Bring on the fall!


 Since my attention has been drawn to the coming cold, I've also started thinking about planning gifts for the gift-giving season. I'm trying to shop my stash and use up some of the yarn I have on hand, but I'm having some trouble with it. I used to buy yarn for the pretty colors with no thought to whether I or anyone else would actually wear it. As a result, I ended up with many bright or outlandish colors that I don't feel comfortable gifting to others lest they not like it. When I started my 2-out-1-in challenge this year I made myself a caveat about gifts, so I could buy some more yarn, but I have more than I will ever need for garments for myself. Maybe it's time to think about selling some!


Some things I have finished:

Garter Stitch Baby Booties in Lion Brand Wool Ease

Jaywalker Socks in Knitpicks Felici "Tiki"









Turquoise Hat in Brown Sheep Lanaloft Worsted "Costal Mist" and Sport "Grey Heather"

The turquoise hat is a gift I promised ages ago to my best friend. I'm ashamed to say I bought this yarn in 2009, asked my friend what type of hat she wanted, and, when she replied one that was warm with ear flaps, promptly got freaked out by the perceived difficulty of ear flaps and never knit it. I texted my mom a few weeks back asking for some ideas for winter knits for the family. She told me she wanted a "hat with ties or a scarf." After asking her to clarify, she sent me pictures of ear flap hats and I knew the time of reckoning was nigh. I've knit some complicated things and I felt I was up to the challenge. Imagine my impatience with myself when I discovered that ear flap hats were actually quite easy! I crocheted a border in the only other Lanaloft I had, some Sport weight held double and made some pom-poms with the two colors together. I think the hat is retro-adorable, and if I had use for one, I'd make one for myself. Regarding the one I am planning for my mom, I have settled on either a Tobnoggan or a Neon Ski Bonnet, to be decided when I settle on a yarn.

I am currently working on:

Nocturne Mist Lace Scarf in KnitPicks Shadow "Nocturne"

as well as a hat made in the leftover Tiki for a new baby in the family. I hope your own early fall is filled with lots of fun planning, warm wool socks, and comforting food.