Brick Sidewalk Beanie from fibre space--Day 4

Close to the finish line...

The dpn’s are in use, which means—as my horsey friend often puts it—“we are heading for the barn!”

The brick sidewalk that gives this beanie its name fades off into the crown like a road veering off into the sunset. It’s a great aesthetic touch, just as clever as the whole pattern. Sure, the headband could be an ordinary ribbing, but I’m so pleased that it isn’t. I’ve knit hats that looked great but didn’t feel or function well. This one sure feels like it will be as pleasant to wear as it has been to knit. It has just the right amount of elasticity and slouch—comfy but not sloppy, snug but not strangling. Perfect.

I could use a dose of perfection. My week has been crazy-stuffed with tasks, but I’ve tried not to let my knitting time pay the price. Like exercise, I need a daily dose of the peace knitting gives me. The anchor creating something—even though I create with words all day long—gives to my spirit. I suspect you’re the same way. 

I’m just a nicer, calmer, better person when I knit.  Aren’t you?

Brick Sidewalk Beanie from fibre space--Day 3

The Delight of Decreasing

There’s always a burst of energy for me when I reach those magic words “begin decrease” on a hat. 

It means I’m racing toward the finish line of my project. It means the rows will get shorter and shorter from here on in. As a knitter continually haunted by the growing rows of top-down shawls, “begin decrease” is the chocolate cake of pattern directions. Dessert course! Most delicious!

Not that any of the middle section of this hat has been at all tedious. Rather, it’s been peaceful, engaging, and productive at a pleasant speed. Everything I look for in a knitting project. I only have to look down for a small portion of each row, and it just plain feels wonderful to knit.

My only complaint with hats is that unlike socks, you can’t really try them on unfinished. Sure, you can slip the in-progress hat on your head, but it won’t give you a true taste of what the thing will look like on your noggin when blocked and finished. Considering how ridiculous I look in most knitted hats, this represents a sizable risk for me. I’ve loved knitting it, but will I love wearing it?

Then again, that’s not really a problem, is it? Because you and I both know that if I don’t fancy how it looks on me, it won't take long to find a head it fits perfectly. Granted, if this were a large, complicated shawl, I might balk at gifting it.  But a hat? It’s just the right size to release with pleasure to someone else.

Having said all that, I really like how it feels and hope I do like how it fits.

"Hatapalooza" hats from Great Yarns - Day 6

Cables complete!

I’ve finished the Knotty But Nice hat! The soft wooly texture is just begging to keep a head warm, and the rich color could brighten the dreariest of Chicago winters.  Those clever cables weave themselves around the hat and keep the shape snug.  

Above them, the ribbing narrows smartly in toward the crown as you can see in this photo.  The shape is simple, but the combination of cables and ribbing takes that simple shape and crafts a smart, stylish cap indeed knotty and nice.  The very best qualities of the craft.

I’ve been on a long driving trip this week, and my knitting has been great company.  For as much as my husband enjoys driving, I am happiest knitting in the passenger seat.  I am terrible at both sitting still and waiting—life is very much better for having knitting in it.