FO: Tolt Hat

 I'm finally feeling the pressure of Christmas knitting. I thought I was doing alright on my knitting and then I actually looked at the calendar - not as much time left as I thought! I needed a quick pick me up gift so I went to my pattern library.

 I found the perfect pattern in my library and even had the right yarn for it in my stash.

Pattern: Tolt Hat by Andrea Rangel

Yarn: Imperial Stock Ranch Columbia in Quail and Cactus Blossom

Needles: US #8 Addi Turbo

Mods: None. I knit the size medium and it's a tad loose on me so I think it will fit the gift recipient perfectly. The pattern also includes instructions for  a pair of mitts but I don't have enough of the magenta yarn to knit them and I don't want to run out and get another skein. This hat took about one long even to complete and it would work handsomely for men in a different color combination. This would also be an excellent project for trying out colorwork.

Updates and an FO

I've been a bit lackadaisical about posting here lately so I thought I'd bring y'all up to speed on what's been happening at chez ErinB.

• Mr. B got laid off at the end of October
• I got a new job that starts on Monday
• I had my grad school interview a week ago
• Thanksgiving
• Planning Little A's birthday party

That list is super concise and I think that belies the fact that all of those things happening at approximately the same time makes me feel really crazy and nervous about everything. I can manage one or two major events at a time without feeling overwhelmed but when no single aspect of my life is stable (rather, everything is in flux at once) I get a little....stabby. 

But what this also means is that I've been adhering to my gift knitting to-do list since it's structured and creates focus for my knitting while the rest of my life is off-kilter. Without further ado, proof of my knitting steadfastness.

Pattern: Hedera by Cookie A

Yarn: Tosh Sock in Port (this color is sadly discontinued)

Needles: US #1 (2.25 mm) Hiya Hiya Sharps

Mods: None. I knit these exactly as written for the 60 stitch size. I was worried that these would be too small for the recipient but they fit my slightly larger foot fine even if they're too short for my foot.

FO: Salida

Pattern: Salida by Janneke Maat (free)

Yarn: Araucania Ranco (376 yards per 100 grams; 75% wool/ 25% nylon)

Needles: US #1 (2.25 mm) Hiya Hiya Sharps

Mods: I knit the pattern as written using a Twisted German cast on for extra elasticity around the cuff. I'm not a fan of short row heels but I decided to go with the flow for these - they're snug enough with all of those twisted stitches that the heel fits okay. I ended up knitting the pattern repeat twice for the foot and then rows one through eight or ten again to finish up the twisted stitch motif before I started the toe. There are so many twisted stitches on every round that I highly recommend using a nice, pointy-tipped needle to make the knitting easier on yourself. This is the first time I've knit sooo many twisted stitches at once and I found it slightly difficult to get into a good rhythm for knitting them. The finished socks are well worth the effort of being married to a knitting chart for several weeks, though. 

This is pair #3 for my Holiday gift list. Pair #4 and pair #5 are already complete and I'll share those soon.

FO: Fizz Socks

Pattern: Fizz Socks of my own imagining

Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in Fizz

Needle: US #1 (2.25 mm) Addi Turbo circular needles

Notes and Mods: This is my first pair of afterthought heel socks and I'm not sure if I like them or not. The afterthought heels were easy to knit but I don't like the messy stitches where the corners of the heels meet. These are a gift for my sister for Christmas so I can't even tell you how the fit of the afterthought heels compares to my regular heel flap and gusset construction fit. 

FO: October Leaves Fingerless Mitts

Pattern: October Leaves Fingerless Mitts by Abbie Tilden

Yarn: Sincere Sheep Cushy Fingering in Be Mine

Needles: US #1 (2.25 mm) Hiya Hiya Sharps

Mods: None! (Her wrist looks bumpy because of her watch.)

Remember my super-secret knitting project for my knitting group retreat swap? This is it! I drew Meg for the swap and I knew I'd have fun knitting something for her. She has a toddler size girlie at home and is a working mama so I know she doesn't get as much time to knit as she would like. Meg knits lots of hats so I thought the next best thing would be some fingerless mitts that she could use at the park with her kiddo or going for walks. The swap theme was small accessories with lace or cables or both. I think these mitts fit the bill perfectly - they have cables running up both sides and the gusset increases are integrated into a lace leaf motif. Meg seems like the kind of lady who appreciates a little luxury, so I chose a fingering weight yarn from Sincere Sheep in a merino, nylon, and cashmere blend. The yarn is a dream to work with - nice and round with a bit of density to it that makes it flow through your fingers and off the needles.