One of the great things about the long thanksgiving weekend was that not only did I have plenty of time to sew (and finish my Drunkard's Path quilt top - thanks everyone for your nice comments!), I also had lots of nice time to knit! I was really excited to finish my lacy branching out scarf (originally mentioned here). I love how it turned out, and was really impressed that I was able to get a whole scarf out of one skein of Knit Picks Gloss Fingering yarn (and the yarn is really lovely - super soft and it has great drape).
I love the leaf motif and it is a nice light weight that is perfect for the cool but not frigid weather we've been having here in Portland. It will get lots of use I am sure, since most of my other scarves are very heavy weight (and in fact, all of them except one are actually in storage).
I also only have one hat not in storage, and was overdue to make myself a new hat anyways, so as soon as I finished the scarf I cast on for a lotus hat using this lovely green cashmere blend yarn, also from Knitpicks (Capra). While this yarn is technically DK weight, and the pattern calls for worsted, the gauge called for on the pattern and the gauge on the yarn ball were the same, so I figured it would be OK (and no, I didn't knit a swatch... that would be too practical). The pattern calls for three repeats of the lace pattern before you start decreasing, but suggests you do four repeats if you want it to be less of a beanie and to actually cover your ears. Well, I did four repeats and then went ahead and did all the decreases... and it was way too short. I am guessing that since the yarn is a bit lighter weight the whole thing is just a bit smaller and while it can stretch to be wide enough, that makes it even shorter. So I frogged back to just before the decreases and am thinking I will add another two repeats of the pattern before decreasing again. I think I will still be able to make the hat with one ball of yarn, but I do have a second one if needed.
I love the stitch pattern - it is lacy but not so much that my head will get chilly, and actually looks a bit like a cable pattern at first glance. I am not planning to block it since I like how it looks as knitted and don't want to emphasize the lace aspect too much. If I can swing it with my second ball of yarn, I am hoping to make a pair of matching fingerless mitts, modifying a basic pattern like this one.
I am on a bit of a scarf/hat knitting kick, so I may well knit another one of each after this, too, or a cowl. How about you, have you been doing any knitting?
