new cool-weather favorites
I received a copy of The Yarn Girls' Guide to Knits for All Seasons: Sweaters and Accessories for Men and Women a few weeks back. The style is what I would expect based on their past books - lots of accessible, modern, and mostly fast-knitting patterns. This latest book is full of knits for all year round - from sweaters to tanks and a few smaller things too - for both men and women. I was very excited to get knitting something in here.
Because I was in an instant-gratification kind of knitting mood, I went with a hat. From the book, it's the "Out of Retirement" hat, knit with Misti Alpaca Chunky from my stash. It knit up quickly, and seamlessly (well, actually there is a seam, but you know what I mean). Really - any wearable knitting pattern that knits up fast and calls for the use of a big ole' button? A winner, for sure.
Can I tell you how much I love this hat? No, really. I looove this hat. So much that I've been wearing it everyday nearly all day - even yesterday when it was (a very crazy) 75 degrees. Yup. I love this hat. It even warranted it's very own pair of fingerless mitts (knit from the pattern in Melanie' Falick's Weekend Knits). We're not going to talk about how many pairs of these I already have, or how ridiculous that might be, because the reality is that they just make me happy. And fingerless mitts and this new hat together? Makes me very happy. Bring on the real fall.
oh what a good tip…
Posted by: sissi | October 23, 2007 at 06:56 AM
OO Love your hat Amanda. I was just looking at a pattern similar to that on Craftser last night. It's a knock off of a Banana Republic http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=197572.0
Here's the link. Now you can say you've made one yourself! It's a little different from yours, but I think I like the top of your hat better than the stockinette!
Gotta love the button!
Posted by: Lora | October 23, 2007 at 07:17 AM
I also love your hat. Man, I wish I could knit.
Posted by: Maya | October 23, 2007 at 07:26 AM
:)I love wrist warmers! A close friend of mine doesn't understand them...guess what she's getting for Christmas from me! ;) hehe
I do have a sister-in-law who will adore that hat for Christmas! Is this your pattern or am I able to find it on-line?
Posted by: Melissa! | October 23, 2007 at 07:30 AM
looking very good, soulemama. I've been thinking I want to do your hat pattern again but on smaller needles. To be a bit more beanie like on me. Hat weather is surely at the door.
Posted by: jean | October 23, 2007 at 07:45 AM
J'aime beaucoup votre blog, que je regarde presque tous les jours! Juste pour admirer vos belles photos!!!
Bravo!!
Elodie
Posted by: E-Joy | October 23, 2007 at 07:51 AM
Oh it's beautiful! I love the button! I totally love those instant gratification projects too.
Posted by: Mary Beth | October 23, 2007 at 07:53 AM
You look beautiful.
Posted by: melody | October 23, 2007 at 07:55 AM
Melissa - it's a pattern from the book I referenced at the beginning of the post. ;)
Posted by: SOULEMAMA | October 23, 2007 at 07:59 AM
oh, that may have to be my hat for this winter. love it, amanda!
Posted by: erin | October 23, 2007 at 08:06 AM
Oh Amanda I love this hat!
And gosh you look cute wearing it.
Posted by: grace | October 23, 2007 at 08:23 AM
Gorgeous. *Sigh*. I wish I could knit. Thinking about taking it up in the new year.
Posted by: Lina | October 23, 2007 at 08:26 AM
Funky - love the colour!
Dee
x
Posted by: bubbachic | October 23, 2007 at 08:31 AM
love the hat and mitts
and the pictures of you modeling them...very nice.
Posted by: Nancy Cook | October 23, 2007 at 08:39 AM
I love the hat, and you really look like a professional model in the photos. Very nice.
Posted by: Melissa | October 23, 2007 at 08:47 AM
Amanda - You are just way toooo cute! you've inspired me to finally get the project that's presently collecting cobwebs on my needles finished and make myself and my 12 year old daughter the same hat .... it's perfect!
Enjoy it ...
Posted by: Lynn | October 23, 2007 at 08:50 AM
love it. and from the looks of these photos, so do you!
Posted by: julia | October 23, 2007 at 09:03 AM
I love it - I keep wanting to try my hand at knitting a hat and mitts for myself. Not that it really makes sense here in South Carolina - but, your pictures inspire me to perhaps give it a go. :-)
Posted by: Michelle | October 23, 2007 at 09:17 AM
Beautiful ensemble, especially with the button.
Posted by: julie | October 23, 2007 at 09:21 AM
now that is one cute fall hat. adore the button. xo
Posted by: shari | October 23, 2007 at 09:32 AM
Where did your website go?
Posted by: Amy J | October 23, 2007 at 10:04 AM
so pretty!
Posted by: Melissa | October 23, 2007 at 10:10 AM
Cute hat and it looks great on you!
Posted by: Anna | October 23, 2007 at 10:20 AM
That hat looks so soft!! Very cute.
Posted by: Heather | October 23, 2007 at 10:23 AM
That is a great hat! It makes me wish I could knit - I can so see myself making a big ol' polymer clay button to coordinate with the yarn. Such fun!
Posted by: Lisa Clarke | October 23, 2007 at 10:36 AM
SO cute! Love the button. Yeah, I pretty much love any clothing item that features a big button. Perfect color for you, too. Bring on cold weather!!!
Posted by: Jessica | October 23, 2007 at 10:36 AM
In N.C. we would love to have consistent, 75- degree days! Right now our weather is jumping from 45 at night to anywhere between 75 and 85 during the day. NOT fall. Blast the La Nina years!
Cute hat. :)
Posted by: Meredith | October 23, 2007 at 10:39 AM
oh I love that hat too . . . and I never wear hats!
Posted by: Kelly | October 23, 2007 at 10:56 AM
Oooh I love that hat. Here in Tucson we have about a two-week hat season, but it could be worth it. :)
Posted by: Amy | October 23, 2007 at 10:59 AM
beautiful hat!! I love it~!
Posted by: Stacie | October 23, 2007 at 11:15 AM
That is a beautiful hat. We're deep, deep, deep into fall here (frost most nights) and I'm wanting a new hat. If only I could knit! (Maybe it's time to try?)
Posted by: m | October 23, 2007 at 11:17 AM
Ahhh....fingerless gloves, I love them.
The hat is beautimus also!!
Posted by: Ansley | October 23, 2007 at 11:24 AM
oooh, that hat might bring me out of knitting retirement too. yummy!
Posted by: zannestar | October 23, 2007 at 11:29 AM
I'm picking up my copy of this book from the library today. I think I know what my first project will be. I just finished a pair of blue fingerless gloves for myself, but my 9 year old boy absconded with them for himself.
I also love the sweater you're wearing. Where did you find it?
Susan
Posted by: Susan | October 23, 2007 at 12:02 PM
that is really really cute. i need to get my mom (the knitter) right on that.
Posted by: melissa f. | October 23, 2007 at 12:08 PM
I have all their books, so I'm sure this one will be coming home with me soon, too. ;)
I love this hat, and it's probably the first thing I would've knit, too. Because seed stitch is my very favorite thing. :)
It looks great on you! So pretty! The button is beautiful, too.
Posted by: Grace | October 23, 2007 at 12:16 PM
PS: I saw you have Blackstock's Collection on your reading list ... I guess the savant reading is going around right now. I am completely fascinated with "Born on a Blue Day" by Daniel Tammet right now ... it's about an autistic mathematical savant with synesthesia. Anything about synesthesia just fascinates me since I lived for 26 years as a synesthete not realizing that everyone doesn't see things that way!
Posted by: Grace | October 23, 2007 at 12:22 PM
Aha!
I do read your entire posts, I do...I don't just look at the pretty pictures - really! :)
(I'm going to look through that book again! Thanks!)
Posted by: Melissa! | October 23, 2007 at 12:34 PM
Susan - it was on loan from my mama's closet. Which means it's either from Victoria's Secret catalog or Target. ;)
Posted by: SOULEMAMA | October 23, 2007 at 12:38 PM
Oooh, I wish I could knit more than just garter stitch scarves! I taught myself last winter and haven't got much further, never mind being able to knit gorgeous things like that. Gorgeous hat and mits and you look lovely in them!
Posted by: Katharine | October 23, 2007 at 01:26 PM
I almost bought that book just because of that hat! I looked thru it at Barnes & Noble and instantly fell in love with the hat's design. I'm a sucker for big buttons with that flap style of button hole (there must be a name for it?)!
In fact, I'm still considering the book, especially after seeing your beautiful hat...: )
Posted by: Amber | October 23, 2007 at 02:10 PM
Oh, my! That hat is the cutest thing ever! And I have always wanted to knit up a pair of those fingerless gloves from Weekend Knitting- I think that you have officially inspired me to do it!
Posted by: andi | October 23, 2007 at 03:13 PM
Love that hat! You look so cute in it too!
Posted by: sarah | October 23, 2007 at 04:04 PM
Lovely
I really want to know something...
How much sleep do you operate on?
Yr wicked crafty and I swear sometimes I think you must clone yrself :)
Everyone has the same amount of time in a day I know this
but
wow
xo
Posted by: amy | October 23, 2007 at 04:47 PM
i must thank you for your lovely inspiration. i have been wanting to embroider and knit for a while now...i love the textures and colors that you use. i am off to try my hand at knitting soon. winter is upon us this will be the perfect new project to try :)
Posted by: shelbi | October 23, 2007 at 05:23 PM
My daughter's "mystery state" for a school project turns out to be Maine. Just so happens I know a source with lovely photos of a real live family living, and wearing cool hats, in Maine.
Also, thanks for the link to the fairy house book--we now have a fairy house in our yard. It's amazing how those little people get around...
Posted by: Kelly | October 23, 2007 at 05:44 PM
yes! i hear you! bring it on! I love these, they are beautiful!
Posted by: katie | October 23, 2007 at 07:45 PM
So cute.
Posted by: Ali | October 23, 2007 at 09:58 PM
Ok, just in case you ever decide to knit a few of these and put them up in your shop I'm reserving one now!! Really love it.
Posted by: erin | October 24, 2007 at 02:35 AM
You DOLL, you!!! You are so beautiful in that stunning grey combo!! I love it and am very interested in that hat...the little flap and big ol' button!! So nice, Amanda. Have a happy day and enjoy that hat/glove duo!! <3
Posted by: robin | October 24, 2007 at 03:06 AM