Just a Little Something

Inspired by Stash and Burn's Single Skein September (SSS), I decided to do some stash busting and made a couple little things for my MIL. She just received her package this weekend, so I finally get to share the projects with you. (The worst part of gift knitting is definitely the required blog silence.)

Pattern: Branching Out by Susan Pierce Lawrence

Yarn: Patons Brilliant in Mint (This was left over in my stash from my Bridesmaid Purse [Ravelry Link])

Needles: US 8 (5.00 mm)
Notes: I didn't make any adjustments to this pattern at all. In fact, it has been hanging out in the back of my head as a project to do quite some time. I thought it would be a perfect pairing of yarn and pattern for a light scarf with just the right amount of sparkle for mom, but I was always reluctant to cast on. I was worried there wouldn't be enough yarn and the scarf would turn out too short. It wouldn't be the first time I had made that mistake, so I was reluctant. I have no idea why SSS gave me the push I needed, but I'm glad it did. This turned out to be one of my first projects that turned out just a great as it was in my head.

Pattern: Quincy by Jared Flood (pattern is at the bottom of the link)
Yarn: Ozark Handspun Ozark Companion (This is a beautiful yarn that was gifted to me by some great friends.)

Needles: US 10 (6.00 mm)

Notes: I absolutely love Jared Flood's new book Made in Brooklyn. In fact, I love just about everything he does. I try to make Hubby wear his Koolhaas as often as possible because the fan-girl in me is convinced we'll bump into him while we're out, and it will be a great conversation starter. So, I never would have guessed that I'd be making a major alteration to one of his patterns. Sizing adjustments and a little bit of math reworking, sure, but dissecting his pattern to the point that my FO looks nothing at all like what he clearly intended, I did not see that coming.

I set out with every intention of making Quincy a hat just like intended. I loved every moment of the built in i-cord. I made the twist for my mobius and did the seaming.

Then, instead of moving right along and picking up stitches, I had to pause and put it on. I was struck by what a fabulous cowl it made. I turned to Hubby for his opinion, and in his adorable geekiness he was immediately caught up in the mobius fun. Once he learned that the the twist would become stationary and no longer free to move through out the strip, he was against the idea of a hat.

In the end, the deciding factor was remembering Mom commenting on my Ear Cozy during her Thanksgiving visit. I don't remember exactly what she said or what

her reasons were, but I remember her saying that she would like something like that better than a hat. It also made a great, pony-tail compatible, ear cozy. At that point, Quincy's fate was set. I've been thinking about starting another one and carrying through to make the whole hat this time, but I think I'd probably get caught up in the exact same spot. Fortunately, I have far too much baby knitting to do to even worry about it right now.