house on hill road: I knit a hat

It's a New Year

It's the little things

This is The New Sweetie Pie hat from the Purl Bee. I knew as soon as I saw it that I wanted to knit one for myself, but I also had the good sense to wait until after the holiday rush to start any kind of project. While in Telluride, I popped into Needle Rock Fiberarts and bought a luscious skein of Aslan Trends Royal Alpaca and the requisite needles. I gauged that night, cast on the next day and knit until the crown decrease. At that point, it went in the suitcase for the flight home. And once here, I finished knitting it on New Year's Eve. This morning I wove the ends in and popped it on my head without blocking. I wore it on a cold, but sunny winter's walk and kept it on most of the afternoon, inside the house and out. I love it!

It had been awhile since I had any desire to knit. The last project I started is still on the needles, just waiting for me to cast off the shoulders, stitch up the arm holes and block it. Sad, I know, but true. (I also started that on a vacation...maybe there is a pattern here?) But this hat was a complete joy to knit. Not that the Sullivan sweater wasn't. This one promises almost instant gratification, it being small and all. The pattern is well written and the mini cables were super easy and very fun to make. I'd do it again. Really, I most probably will.

I don't have grand knitting goals for this year. I'll probably just cast on according to my whims. If anything, I may start another crocheted afghan. And sewing-wise, there is one quilt I definitely want to finish, my weekend sewing dress hand stitching to complete and a few household projects that are highest on my list. I'd like to draw more. I have some ideas which have been percolating for months that involve paint and fabric and sewing combined. I have a first-time interest in more serious paper crafting/scrapbooking - where that came from I'm not sure, but I'm rolling with it. But truly, what I especially love about a new year, a clean slate, an open book is that I don't know where it will take me. Most often, it's an adventure of the best kind.

I hope you'll join me.

Posted at 08:28 PM in In the Knitting Basket | Permalink | Comments (26)

Comments

it looks so great! I would really love to work on some smallish knitting/crocheting projects this year. We'll see what happens.

Posted by: rachel | buttons magee | January 03, 2012 at 08:40 PM

You look gorgeous in the hat!
And very fit. Thanks for the recommendation. I'm thinking a shawl for my next.
Blocking my sweater on Thursday. Finally.

Posted by: Sarah | January 03, 2012 at 09:17 PM

it's fantastic! i just knitted for the first time in a while also. my oldest {of three} is in first grade...i never knew her being in school full time would take up most of my spare time! i'm sure you know what i mean. happy new year!

Posted by: michelle | January 03, 2012 at 09:26 PM

Very nice!! Hats are fun -- quick and cute.

Posted by: Kathy | January 03, 2012 at 09:27 PM

It looks great! I love cabled hats - just the right size project with enough to keep it interesting. I just finished one and am considering another. I have some serious knitting goals this year, but we'll see where it all goes. Mainly I'm sticking to the "make something every day" mantra. Even if some days I only make a mess.

Posted by: Sarah Jackson | January 03, 2012 at 09:50 PM

I like seeing you smiling there in your new hat. And I am really looking forward to your painting fabric project!

Posted by: heather smith jones | January 03, 2012 at 10:57 PM

Nothing beats natural wool does it.
Love the colour.

Posted by: Charlotte | January 04, 2012 at 04:22 AM

I love it!!!! xo
P.S. You're adorable.

Posted by: betsy | January 04, 2012 at 08:52 AM

I am gearing up to start something a little different too - fabric, papers etc... but not quite sure how to start. I have lots of stash but... I will be looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

Posted by: Julie | January 04, 2012 at 10:06 AM

I just finished my Sweetie Pie hat last night!!!!! How funny! I too loved it the moment I saw it and had yarn in my stash that was perfect! I wore it to work this morning and felt OH SO CUTE :)

Posted by: Dianne | January 04, 2012 at 12:36 PM

Beautiful!
I'm knitting too, but my skills make it more of a rudimentary meditation than a means of creating a beautiful and useful article, such as what you are donning.
Maybe it's time for me to take a class!

Posted by: Natalie VV | January 04, 2012 at 12:41 PM

I have a sweetie pie on my needles right now! I was hoping to finish it for Christmas for a kiddle, but nothing doing. It just didn't get done. So, maybe now I can finish it up. Did you follow the pattern exactly btw? I read some found it too long.

Posted by: beth lehman | January 04, 2012 at 01:37 PM

Looks great! I queued that pattern. Glad you had a wonderful trip. Sounds delightful.

Posted by: Sarah Jane | beautiful dawn | January 04, 2012 at 02:21 PM

Very cute hat!

I'm not really one for setting goals with my hobbies. For me the point is to relax and have fun. I suppose my one goal is to use the supplies I have! We're at maximum knitting/sewing/crafting storage capacity at the moment.

Posted by: Jodi | January 04, 2012 at 04:59 PM

The hat looks great - I LOVE this photo of you - and guess what? I just finished knitting your Rose Hill Hat in cherry red for a friend for Christmas. Thank you for that great pattern, Erin.
And Happy New Year!

Posted by: seashoreknits | January 04, 2012 at 05:09 PM

Great hat! I love to knit/crochet smaller projects; so fun to finish things quickly!

Posted by: Sweet Posy Dreams | January 04, 2012 at 06:01 PM