FO: Vineyard

The other week I was lamenting how it was above freezing, because I couldn't really wear my hat. Well, Mama Nature took pity on me and now it's 5 degrees out. Yuck.

I got a new toy for Christmas. It's a little photo studio: a lightbox, camera tripod and some lights. I'm still learning -- like seriously learning -- so the pictures aren't that great, but it's a work in progress!

I also fail at figuring out how many yards this used, so ... whoops. More than 1 and less than 1000.


Pattern: Basic loom hat that came with the Knifty Knitter loom set
Yarn: A partial skein of the coopworth/merino yarn from Mountain Vewe Coopworths I bought at VT Sheep & Wool 2010 (I have 53 grams left, but didn't measure it initially) and a partial skein of Cascade Lana D'Oro (the scale says I used 3 grams? that doesn't seem right)
Loom: Um. Either the green or the purple Knifty Knitter (okay, turns out I bought the purple one after I made this, so I'm gonna say green)
Timeline: 7.21.11 - 7.23.11



Yeah. If you're not completely blinded by that.

Opinions: I figured out how to make each color dominant on different rows, so I played with that to make a very orderly hat. Not sure I have the brim fold-up perfect, but oh well.

This hat is very warm around the ears, but the mohair makes it a bit scratchy. Wearing it today, I felt a little cold, but I think most people would in five degree weather. It's a good heavy-duty hat, and it wears beautifully when it's snowing.



Ah, yes, that's a more accurate color representation.

Random Thoughts: I finally got my green hat! Sort of.

Also, I need to work on this photography thing. Can you still see?

A New Obsession

I have found a new obsession, and its name is loom knitting.

I bought that set of Knifty Knitter looms a few months ago when my hand went bum, and as you can tell from some of my recent posts, I've been having fun with that.

I've been trying to save my money for the VT Sheep & Wool Festival, but stupidly I kept it in my purse instead of hiding it. When I find cash in my purse, I want to spend it. The urge to spend is greater than the urge to save. I know, I know, I'm working on it.

I recently found out that the Knifty Knitter line is being discontinued, which I don't mind so much since I already have the set of looms. I guess Boye is putting out a new line, so not much is changing. Except then I found out there was the elusive purple hat loom, which lets you work with worsted weight yarn instead of bulky, and that one was not being replaced by a Boye loom. So I went on a quest to find one, and I found one, and I bought it, because it was 25% off and being discontinued and there were only 2 in the store and I had cash in my purse.

And that should have been well and good, except then I decided I wanted a sock loom, even though the sock loom was not made by ProvoCraft, nor was it being discontinued. I bought it, because I had cash in my purse. But I did get that for 40% off (gotta love the day after a sale ends and you get a store coupon to use on a full-price item, eh?).

Willpower, I don't have it.

It's the adjustable sock loom from Authentic Knitting Board, and I cast on for a pair of socks last night. I've learned the knit and purl stitches for a loom, which is nice because making the loom hats I've just been using the e-wrap. I'm using some Red Heart Heart & Sole that I've had in my stash for three years, so that's also good. I'm hoping to see some stash reduction by using the loom to actually make -- gasp -- socks. Sock yarn socks, at that.

You may have noticed that I have not said a thing about the Binary Scarf. Yep. And I'm not gonna.

FO: Burgundy Loom Hats (x6)

I don't want you guys to think that I'm all sound and no fury. I've finished like, 8 loom hats that I haven't taken pictures of. In fact, I've made six since Thursday. Have I mentioned I love loom knitting and bulky yarn?

I had two skeins of burgundy Bernat Caress, and I was able to squeeze out 3 large hats, 2 medium, and 1 small. Some have the double-knit brim and some are rolled. I started a new one in the variegated Caress I have, but it's not done yet. So here, you get a picture of me wearing one of the large hats.



I hope people want to buy these! If not, I can always donate them to charity.

Also, I am so set for Irene. All I need is a little candlelight, 'cause I got TONS of bulky yarn.

FO: Loom Hat

I may have cheated on my hiatus with a loom, but it turns out you can finish a project on a loom in a matter of hours, which is why I have a FO on a hiatus. The light sucks today and I hate the flash, so bear with the awful picture.



Pattern: The hat instructions that come with the Knifty Knitter round loom set. I don't know if there's an actual webpage or PDF for it, but it's on Ravelry here.
Yarn: Some amount of Caron Simply Soft held double. No, I didn't measure it. I will. (7.1.11 edit: The hat weighs 54 grams, which is approximately 100.8 yards.)
Loom: The red (child-sized) Knifty Knitter round loom.
Timeline: 6.19.11-6.20.11

Opinions: The Knifty Knitter is meant to be used with larger-weight yarns, which I didn't realize when I purchased it. Two strands of Simply Soft held together doesn't seem thick enough, and I hope the hat doesn't stretch as much on the child as it did on the foam head, because that is not going to be a warm hat. Otherwise, it was exceptionally easy and I can't wait to make more once my hand heals.

Random Thoughts: Poor Sally had an unintentional nose job. Please don't say anything about it, as she's very sensitive right now.