A Flurry of Progress

What's that?  Only three weeks until Christmas? That means it time once again to play Beat the Christmas Clock.

I seem to find myself playing that game every year. Currently in progress:

1. Infinity Scarf for niece.

It's great when they get old enough to be specific: this item, this size, this color.

2. Potholders for hostess gifts:

Why, yes, they do look finished. They are, but my plan is to make a pair of red ones as well and the yarn is en route. Topflappen nach Oma's Muster is a terrific pattern for a last minute hostess gift or when you want to perk up your own supply without spending much in the way of time or money. The pattern is in German, but has lots of photos so it is very easy to decipher.

3. Hat for other niece. Since she is now a vegan I had to order some vegan-friendly acrylic yarn, since I didn't think a hat made from  the tough, scratchy tawashi acrylic I had on hand would be very nice to wear. She wants a beanie, so it should be quick to knit.

4. Striped Cowl for teacher. The only process that has occurred is that I have moved the yarn from the cabinet to the desk where the ball-winder is set up. 

Visit Tami's Amis WIP Wednesday post to see what else is in progress this week.

WIP-A-Lot

Progress on three fronts this week, but no prospect of anything being finished before Friday.

Uma Sweater: top down construction, and almost to the point where the front and back are joined under the arms. Went on short hiatus so I could have the recipient try it on before I got too far along. Yes! I chose the correct size.

Woolly Wormhead Mystery Hat KAL: second of three clues released this week, and almost finished with that clue. The design features twisted stitches that create a beautiful raised pattern.

San Juan Bautista KAL: easy but very interesting construction and shape. Starts narrow and widens out into a dramatic swirl.

This shawl is designed by Elizabeth Green-Musselman and appears in the book Hitch:Patterns Inspired by the Films of Alfred Hitchcock. Her inspiration was the poster for the film Vertigo.
The designs in the book include a number of elegant sweaters as well as sophisticated accessories, and the samples are all worked up in a palette of cream, red and shades of gray.

Knitting this got me to watch Vertigo the other night. I really love "living in the future": I could rent it on my computer and stream it on my TV. Plus, the popcorn we make at home is so much tastier than the stuff in the theater:)

Take a look at what the others have on the go at Tami's Amis.

Swatch WIP

Began work on the Woolly Wormhead Mystery Hat KAL. Here's the swatch:

The color is called "Jacques" and it finally occurred to me that the name referred to "Jacques Cousteau," so I'll be knitting a Cousteau Chapeau, albeit a bit fancier than his trademark watch cap. The first clue was released this week and I have knit the brim, but no spoilers here, just a cute picture of JC.

What's the man in the orange hat doing?

Started work on Chicknits Uma sweater. Brooklyn Tweed Shelter in the Long Johns color. Another swatch:

With the least bit of luck there'll be a bit more to show next week.

I've made a bit of progress on a pair of socks, but not much progress and no picture.

Please visit Tami's Amis for links to other crafters taking part in WIP Wednesday. I always have fun seeing what others are up to.

KAL-WIP

November means another Woolly Wormhead Mystery Hat Knitalong. This is one of the best KAL's around: Woolly's hat patterns are unmatched for clarity, detail, and sizing flexibility; the ravelry group is very supportive; the hats are always flattering and beautiful. And since it's a hat it isn't a huge commitment of time or materials.

Mystery KAL Details

The official start is November 1, and although I've chosen the yarn, I haven't knit a swatch.

Fearless Fibers Merino-Cashmere-Nylon

Be sure to visit Tami's Amis to see what others have in the works.

Hatopia

Woolly Wormhead designs beautiful, flattering, architechtural, whimsical, and charming hats for all ages and sizes. I've followed her blog for years, and knit several of her patterns. She is a meticulous designer, her patterns are detailed, her tutorials clear.

Hatopia: 10 great hats for a great cause.

Woolly also blogs about her life in Mutonia/The Yard, a community of artists and crafts people and their families in Italy, and I have really enjoyed a view into a creative life that is so different from my own.

While applauded and enjoyed by the wider community, they have some opposition and are raising funds to mount a legal defense against attempts to evict them from grounds they have legally occupied for years.

Hatopia is a limited edition of ten hat patterns. You can see all the designs and find out more about the project on Woolly Wormhead's blog.

Knit a hat, buy a pattern, spread the word, send a message, visit the ravelry group.