Monday, January 26, 2015

The Power of Suggestion

When I was in Rhode Island for Knitting Weekend, one of my customers showed me a hat she had made with my yarn.  It looked warm and soft and squishy and . . . I was tempted to put it on my head.  It was a cold day in the mill, and my head was the only thing not covered in wool.

That same weekend I saw another version of the same hat walking around the mill.  My daughter and I both commented on it, and I tucked the idea away for future reference.

The other day when I came in from one of my shoveling shifts, I remembered that hat.  It seemed like the perfect project when I wanted to knit but was too tired and sore to focus on anything very complicated.


Rikke Hat.  Glorious garter stitch.  While I worked on the hat, I browsed through my copy of Cast On, Bind Off.  It's fascinating . . . so many options.

It's hard to believe January is almost gone, but here we are.  It's time for the monthly giveaway.  Leave a comment.  What are you knitting these days?  What colors are you attracted to in winter?  Is there a seasonal difference?  Any tips on great patterns?  Please include your Ravelry ID.  The winner, chosen at random, will receive a skein of yarn from Dirty Water DyeWorks - winner's choice.  The contest closes on Monday, February 2, 2015.

If you're in the Northeast, our weather forecast includes excellent knitting conditions.  Stay warm and safe!

18 comments:

AtPlayWithFiber said...

I have one last wash cloth test knit to finished. I'm trying to finish up my WIP (some are 2 years old) and not to start new ones (except for a March birthday gift). :)

amchart said...

I'm knitting a sweater for one of my husband's office staff - Inland by Jane Richmond. Great pattern. I love bulky yarn in winter. Rav amchart

Marilyn a.k.a. Merry said...

I'm knitting socks because I'm always knitting socks. I did just finish some cute baby booties, which went out in today's mail and delivered a hat and booties on Thursday. Just one more baby to knit for and I'm done with baby stuff.
wahoomerryf on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

I'm knitting hats like mad. One after the other, 2 at a time. We don't really need any more, but I think I feel the need to knit warmth for myself. And bright colors - I got a nice skein of Carrot Cake Clara from you at Slater to soothe my need!

Tzipporah Machlah Klapper said...

Knitting a sweater for my aunt.
pomaflah on Ravelry

Sheila said...

I have a pair of simple skyp socks in progress in a self-striping yarn and am swatching for two different cardigans.

Unknown said...

My children actually requested knit items. Knit slouchy hats are a middle school must have at the moment. So I'm knitting lots of little things, though usually I cast on for a sweater in the winter. I don't seem to have any color preferences.

The flakes have started to fall. One more errand and then I'm hiding with my knitting (and perhaps an adult beverage) to wait out the blizzard.

Ravelry: LilyD

Lee said...

I'm knitting lots of socks to finish pairs and add to my drawer" I'm also finishing my "first" hitchhiker and love the pattern!
Mamagiff on ravelry

Kate/Massachusetts said...

I'm knitting emberwarm...it is one of the prettiest shawlettes I've ever made. Its the first time I've done mosaic knitting. It is very easy once you understand what you are supposed to be doing!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/emberwarm-shawl

Anonymous said...

I am feeling very blessed this am as I am warm and safe in my home looking out at 22 inches of snow. Enjoying my second cup of coffee and finishing my State Street cowl.I am also working on my custom fit sweater- just have to do the sleeves;)
I am drawn to all shades of gray,some winter whites,plus pinks and reds.
Stay warm and safe
Mumula

Drae said...

I'm working on what will hopefully be the last hat for the winter. Then on to light sweaters for spring

Marianne said...

As we shoveled today...I said to hsbd...guess I should switch gears to mittens from my hat craze. Just finished Lodgepole hat...love it and will make it again! Love your yarns.

Anonymous said...

Somehow I am knitting PINCHED! by Ariel Gardner over and over again. It is a great scarf with 'subtle ruching' and tapers delightfully. Just finished one in Shibui Baby Alpaca for a friend in Denmark and then one more in tosh pashmina for myself. ckmary (rav)

Anonymous said...

I'm not knitting much at all these days, both because I'm working a ton of overtime lately and because I'm still recovering from a broken wrist (it's been about six weeks now so I'm gradually getting more able to). I'm attracted to lighter/brighter colours in the winter than I tend to be the rest of the time because I'm almost always working with artificial light.

NicoleS

Laura said...

When the temperature drops, I want to knit all the things!!! I crave socks and sweaters to wear, so I always have one of each on my needles. But I really love smaller projects like hats, especially for my family, because they are quick and have an immediate impact. Plus it just makes my heart happy to see my whole family head out the door in warm, hand-knit hats. (Especially my pre-teen son, who plays competitive chess. He has declared a hat I knit for him as his "lucky hat" and insists on wearing it for every tournament!)

GypsyScarfWoman on rav

Judy11 said...

Recovering from hand surgery and about to pick up needles again - yeah! Have a couple of things swatched and started. Might continue with the Downton Abbey KAL shawl before the season is over for the show.

Judy11 said...

Oops Judy11 on Rav

Yarngiraffe said...

I've been making a lot of hats. The best part of being a knitter is making one that suits your needs! :) I have been seeking out greys for some reason and just recently finished the Greystone hat in a blue/grey yarn. As I look forward to the nicer weather, I'm thinking more about shawls in brighter colors (currently thinking about making a shawl with some Edna I got at KnitWit last year!) :)
Rav: yarngiraffe