Tomorrow, I will be heading off to Portland for the first (and hopefully not the last) Sock Summit. I was one of the fortunate people to register for some classes. It should be exciting, not to mention the prospect of visiting the Market!

Pattern : Koolhaas Hat by Jared Flood
Needles : KnitPicks Options US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm)
Yarn : 2 balls of Karabella Aurora 8
Color : Rust (16)
Size : Large (men’s)
Modifications : None, I followed the pattern exactly.
Notes : I started with size 6/8 needles and it was a little bit larger than the recommended gauge. I went down a size to 5 & 7 since I read that this yarn expands after washing. I used the Magic Loop with my KnitPicks Options and this pattern went fast. It looks complicated, but really it isn’t. If you can ktbl and do basic cables, you can make this hat.

Here is a close-up of the stitch detail:

I picked this color to match the Opera Scarf I just finished. I made the small size (women’s) and when I tried it on, it was about an inch above my ears. I like my hats to cover my ears. I ripped back a few rows and added another pattern repeat (5 in total). I want to make another one of these hats, but I have a few more projects I’d like to tackle before doing this again.

Pattern : Blue Sky Alpacas Opera Scarf
Needle : KnitPicks Harmony US 13 (8.0 mm)
Yarn : Misti Alpaca Chunky
Color : Roast Chestnut (3729)
Notes : Fast and easy to knit. I bought the yarn Monday evening and cast on and had it finished by Friday evening. Here is a close-up of the stitch detail:

I tried it on with a black jacket and it looked nice. It’s warm and soft. It doesn’t feel itchy at all. I was pleasantly surprised with the yarn. I will definitely be buying more of it!

Since my last blog post (can’t believe the time has flown by), I have enhanced my stash, finished some projects, and joined Ravelry.

One such project finished is the Yarn Harlot’s Unoriginal Hat.

Pattern : Unoriginal Hat
Needle : KnitPicks Harmony US 11 (8.0 mm)
Yarn : Blue Moon Fiber Arts Leticia in Thraven
Notes : If you want a quick knit, this is it. This hat took me one evening to complete. The followed the written pattern and made no changes. I used the Magic Loop to do this. Casting on, I worked the first round flat, then joined in the round. I usually like the the look of the cast on row that way. It didn’t work too well for this version. The brim flared more than I liked. Next time, I’ll cast on and join right away.

It’s a chunky weight yarn that is 60% merino wool, 20% alpaca, 20% silk. Can you say soft?

There was also some Marisol Hacho which is a 100% merino wool (DK weight) yarn. I think they will make a pair of quick knit socks.

I also recieved my latest STR shipment (finally… mail is slow in my area). This is Flower Power. I like it!

I also received my first package of the Lucky Lurker club from A Swell Yarn Shop, but I forgot to include it in my photoshoot tonight. I had many skeins lined up as I am still updating Ravelry.

As I mentioned, mail is slow in my area. I’m supposed to recieve my package from Fearless Fiber’s Seven Deadly Sins Sock Yarn Club. It was sent and I checked the tracking information online. It said the post office attempted to deliver my package this past Saturday, but no one was home, so they will either redeliver or I have to go pick it up. First of all, attempted… LIES! I was home. I was home all day Saturday playing with Ravelry. I heard the mail carrier. I checked the mail. No package. Nothing. Nada. Zip. I called today to find out if I could pick up my package. They asked if I had the little slip. Um… no. I didn’t find anything in my mail or stuck to the door. I was told that they can reschedule them to redeliver the package. I said I could pick it up at the post office, but I wanted to make sure it was not in transit to be redelivered. I was told on the phone, if the tracking info said it had to be rescheduled, then it was there at the post office. Guess what? It wasn’t (or the employee didn’t want to go searching for it any longer than necessary). I was told to call the number to have them track the package in the morning. So is it out for delivery or not? No, but I suspect that they didn’t want to dig around since it was after 5pm, there was a long line behind me, a shortage of employees working, and the air-conditioning wasn’t working. I love getting the runaround. I know I should have stayed and made a bigger stink, but I was ready to get the hell outta there since the air-conditioning wasn’t working. I just want my yarn!

As for my green Blaze, it’s going to the frog pond. I’m not all there with the color to spend all that time knitting it and then wear it once or twice isn’t worth it. One project out of the way. Now to pick another.

Since I am finally up and running with the whole blog and photo thing, I wanted to post about the first blog contest where I won something over at Moon Tea. I was one of the lucky people who guessed her age (she’s a young’un). She let the winners pick from a list of things. I picked two skeins of KnitPicks Gloss in Dusk.

When I received my package, I discovered she also snuck in a Bath & Body Works product, as well! Thank you!

I was kind of worried at one point when I saw how bright this green color was in sunlight. Like, blindingly pea green. Indoors, the color isn’t so bad. I still like the pattern and Cascade Indulgence is so warm.

I’m staying with the green theme this summer. I’m not a huge fan of bright green, but I love the yarn from the last Yarntini sock club package.

I think the Penllyn sock pattern from Wildhorse Farm Designs shows off the colors nicely and yet you can still see the pattern. A male coworker referred to them as “alien socks”. I have a feeling it was more of a comeback to what I just said to him: “[Female coworker I hang out with] went home early, so you’ll have to be my girlfriend for the rest of today. OK? Thanks!”

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• HiyaHiya DPN 2.25 mm (US 1)
• HiyaHiya DPN 2.5 mm (US 1 1/2)
• Yarn Place Gentle (01-31)
• Gypsy Girl Creations in Painted Desert
• Dream in Color Smooshy (formerly Gaia) in Dusky Aurora (VS330)

I also picked up a mug and bowl. Here is the Turquoise Yarn Ball with Needles Mug:

Both are handcrafted by Jennie the Potter. I’ve already put the mug to good use with my morning coffee today.

I was also excited to finally get my hands on a set of Hold My Socks! from The Traveling Knitter.

I’ve already put a few of my new purchases to use already. Hold My Socks! is a very sturdy holder for DPN WIP socks. No poking your bag and all your needles are in one place. If notice from the first picture above, some of the needles are missing and there is only one skein of the Painted Desert yarn. I’ve cast on the Painted Desert yarn with the HiyaHiya needles. I really like how the Painted Desert colors are coming out (photos to come). The HiyaHiya needles are made of stainless steel and very lightweight. It’s wonderful knitting with these needles.

I really enjoyed the Fiber Fest and look forward to next year. Plus, Stitches is coming in two weeks. I love it all!