New Knitters

Yesterday I was at a writer's meeting and mentioned knitting and found out the 2 people sitting next to me had just learned how to knit. I got so excited. Like most beginners they started with a scarf. Oh no! So we are going to get together so I can show them how to knit a hat to go with their scarves. Fun. I wonder if they'll be at the writer's meeting tonight.

To get in the mood for winter I added a snow widget to my blog. It never snows where I live so I have to bring my winter wonderland to my blog instead.

Knitting a Rug

I dragged the rug I'm making into my bedroom so I can knit while various things are uploading. So far it is olive green wool, royal blue, and deep purple. It's amazing how much down time there is on a computer waiting for it to finish this or that funtion.
It's already looking darn and chilly outside. I was going to cut out some aprons on my front porch, but I think I will wait on that until the light is better. My back was sore when I got up this morning so I'm trying to take it easy. Right now I'm getting the afternoon sleepies.
I need to organize my yarn better. I'm not making the best of it. Everything is chaos.
But for the moment there is some pumpkin cheesecake in the fridge that is calling my name.

Knitting By Train

My knitting plans on the train flew out the window on Sunday. The trip is 2 hours by bus and 3 by train. Only the bus was packed, and then so was the train. It looks like many students took the train to Isla Vista for the Halloween party scene, and bought group tickets, because the conductor had a big ole stack of tickets and was checking it with IDs and everyone on my train car seemed to be under 24. I had no elbow room.

However, at the Santa Barbara train station, our train was delayed for an hour and a half. Another train was stuck on the rails, and our train ended up pushing it into town. So for about 45 minutes I got to sit on a bench at the station and knit. That was a great way to spend a block of time I hadn't counted on having. And I felt a bit superior that I was making a project while everyone else was fiddling away their time on their laptops or cellphones. I should finish that hat today and get it into the mail tomorrow. But I have so much work that piled up while I was gone. My daughter is visiting on Nov. 10-13, so I need to get the stuff unpacked and the house put back together. So far today I've done laundry, watered the garden, refilled the hummingbird feeder, and caught up on some of my writing.

Two Hats in the Making

I've gotten requests for two chemo caps this week so I'm going to be doing those on the train tomorrow. I almost have one finished. I'm using Caron Soft yarn because I sure don't want to aggravate sensitive skin. I just want them to be super soft and cozy. I do have some hats already made up for those in a hurry, but if possible I'd like to make the person a special one in their favorite colors if time allows. Then as I make it I can think of the intent of healing and the love that person needs during this trial in their life.

I'm also knitting a rug from a pattern in Oneskein by Leigh Radford. It's full of cool project that take a minimal amount of yarn in assorted colors. I'm going to take that on the train with me as well. So far I've started with a baby blue. The rug is made of a long tube that will be sewn over Wright's Piping Filler Cord  and then sewn into a spiral.

Crafts to do in Front of the Computer Monitor

I really enjoy the rolled brim hats so now I'm making one in shades of pink. I'm about 3" into it. I've been playing the game Evony on line, and knitting while waiting for my troops to storm the castle makes everything so much fun. Otherwise I'd be bored stiff as my little men hammer away at building a new tower. That's one thing I can say about knitting. It goes well with sitting in front of a computer monitor. I'd never be able to paint or sand a drum or plant a garden sitting in front of my monitor (Farmville doesn't count). I have been able to do some hand sewing like quilting in front of the computer. And crochet of course. I don't want to spend all day on line though. And knitting travels just as easily to the library, the patio or the train.

Striped Yellow and Pink Hat

Last night I finished this striped beauty. But I had to wait until daylight to take a photo.
I love these mannequin wig heads I got at the swap meet. They really have personality. I bought 2 out of 3 and I wished I'd bought the third one.

I need to get a male head because I have to have something to put the guy's hats on for an upcoming event. Almost all the customers will be men, so I had to start making more subdued colors. But I couldn't take it anymore and made this striped hat to get the color back into my life. Perfect way to brighten a gloomy day.

The 88 Hat With a Rolled Brim

I just finished my green camo rolled brim hat made of Paton yarn. I love the way it came out. This one is for my shop but the next time I have some money I'll buy more of the same yarn and make me one, only with a long tail I think. I'm calling it the 88 Hat because that's how many stitches I need to cast on for each hat on my 16" DPNs.