FO(s): Double Fortnight

Actual knitting has been finished! What??
Yes, in the past couple of months, I have actually finished at least two knitting projects. Specifically, these hats you see above. I used Brooklyn Tweed's Fortnight pattern, found here. Both hats were knit in KnitPicks Wool of the Andes, colorways Tidepool Heather and Persimmon Heather. The pattern is easy to follow, and I adore the large garter stitch brim. Each hat took just around 100 yards of worsted weight yarn on a size 7 circular.

These hats were knit for two very special people. One is Jules, who just sent me the amazing selvage mini and extras. For her, I knit the rusty orange hat to match the pair of Fetchings I made last year. I sent along some extras, including one of my last coffee cozies and some fabric.

Jules' husband took this photo of her wearing it. I just love those cables!

The teal version was knit for Amanda, who has fast become one of my best friends. I "knew" her before sewing summit, but it was after meeting in person that our friendship solidified. We have chatted lots since then, and hanging out with her this past weekend (where we exchanged gifts in person!) was so much fun.

Although Amanda is a very proficient knitter, she said she didn't have a hat for herself; she's given all of her hats away! So I knit this one and included some extras. I'll share what she made me next time!

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.

FO: Vaa Cabled Hat for Nancy

I love this FO so much, I almost kept it for myself and knit something else for Nancy. Nancy is my dear cousin, and I wanted to make her something special; something she could use for the approximately one month of cold weather we get here in Houston. Her only requests were: a dark and rich color, and no stripes. Other than that, I was free to knit what I wanted.

And so I did.

Pattern: Swirl Cable Hat, by SmarieK
Yarn: Malabrigo in Vaa, less than one skein (probably a little more than 120 yards used)
Needles: KnitPicks Circular, Size 7
Time: Five days.
Recipient: Nancy

Thoughts/mods/notes: No mods. The pattern was well written and easy to follow. I do have to say, this went much faster cabling without a needle, so if you're going to knit this, check out Grumperina's helpful guide.
You already know I love Malabrigo, but this colorway is so gorgeous. Love it!

FO: Craving Cables Bag

This FO was a long time comin'.
Like, one year and four months. Yeah. Sixteen months of being on the needles.
Then, it sat in waiting to be revealed for another month.

Shame on me.

Look how pretty!

Pattern: Ganiggle's Celtic Memories
Yarn: KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in Tidepool Heather, 1.5 skeins
Needles: KnitPicks Circular, Size 2
Time: Sixteen effin' months (a few rows here, a few rows there; you know how it goes)
Recipient: Not sure. I will save it for now, but maybe it will be a gift at some point.
Thoughts/mods/notes: I didn't make any mods, and the pattern is really straightforward. There was so much time in between sessions of knitting on this that I never really memorized the cabled section (but the lace portions on either side were easy to remember). I love this, and I'm proud to finish it, as the cabling is really gorgeous in the heathered yarn. I like the three buttons I had in my stash, and how they match the yarn so perfectly. I did my first i-cord for the strap (now I've even done applied i-cord on Pauline!).

The end. Whew. Glad to have this one complete.