FO: Cable Car Hat

One last FO for the year:

I cast on for this hat at the airport in Dallas on a Saturday, and finished the following Wednesday in San Francisco. I've dubbed it the Cable Car Hat. The pattern is Relm by Brooklyn Tweed, from the Fall/Winter 2008 issue of Knit1. I used less than a skein of Malabrigo in the lovely Sealing Wax colorway. I made some modifications, mostly to conserve yarn and to make the hat less slouchy.

I used a size 7 circular throughout, instead of switching needles after the brim.

Then, at the decrease section, I did the following:
Worked Row 1
Skipped rows 2 and 3
Worked rows 4-7
Skipped rows 8 and 9
Worked rows 10-11
Then:
(p2, ssk) repeat to end
(p2tog, k1) repeat to end
k2tog repeat to end
k next row
k2tog, k1 repeat to end
k next row
k2tog repeat to end
Seam 10 remaining stitches

Although it's pretty cute on me (modest, I know!), I gifted it to Beth, Elliott's sister (and mother of the adorable Oliver) this weekend. She'll get better wear out of it in DC this winter. And besides, I can always make another hat. That's the beauty of being a knitter, right?

Raveled here

By the way, it's my birthday today! I'm 29, for the first time.

Revisiting 2010 Goals

Here are the goals I established for myself for the past year and my success (or lack thereof):

Knitting Goals
-10 shawls in 2010
50% complete. 5 shawls done. 2 others started (one destroyed by Olias, one stalled out)
-finish my CPH
Fail. I picked it up earlier in the year, and all I lack is the button band/seaming
-knit more socks
Half-fail. I finished a pair for my sister, knit one half a pair, and started a second new sock.
-a colorwork project
Half-fail. I started Opus Spicatum in October. I'm not very good at colorwork, so it takes forever.

Sewing Goals
-make a quilt
So, so close. Quilt top is done. Got scared of quilting, as I had never done it before. I'm currently finishing up a table runner (my practice round before I tackle the quilt top).
-sew some skirts
sort of a win. Even though I didn't finish any skirts, I made a dress, which I think counts.

Misc. Crafting Goals
-buy a spinning wheel
Nope. I've shelved this idea so I can focus on the crafts at hand.
-practice more spinning
Again, nope
-embroidery
Big fat fail

Cooking Goals
-make ice cream
Half-win. I made frozen yogurt once.
-make bread
Half-win. I've made pizza crust countless times this year. It's so freaking good.
-make caramels
uh-uh. Nope. Sure didn't complete this one.

If you judge this list by the cover, I didn't finish much in 2010. I disagree, though. I tried lots of new techniques, and improved some skills. Next up, I'll post my 2011 goals (and one more FO for 2010!).
Did you accomplish any of your 2010 goals?

San Francisco: Golden Gate

The Golden Gate is definitely a national landmark. There's a good reason for that.

From Muir Beach

It's breathtaking. Considering there were no computers when bridges like this were built, it's an astounding feat of human logic.

We had drinks at the Top of the Mark, on the top floor of the Mark Hopkins Hotel while enjoying this view. We also ate a cheese plate. Super delicious and so fancy!