Oh Just Kick Me!

Here I go again.  Dreaming of yet another tote bag/purse.  Sigh!  This time, I'm thinking of using some pretty wool yarn that is hand dyed in lovely shades of purple.  I've tried felting it already, last year when I was trying to decide which yarn to use for the eyeglass case.  It comes out nice & thick when felted. 

So I'm thinking about a new knitting bag.  Maybe a bit smallish.  Just enough for a skein or two & a chemo hat or other small project.  Something I can just grab, stuff & go!  I don't really need another huge bag.  I've already got quite a few of those!  I'm thinking maybe in the "booga bag" style...with the drawstring type handle.  I'm not sure yet, because this yarn does felt up very thick!  Needles will have a hard time trying to poke through this yarn!  I want to add some nice pockets on the outside, for little gadgets & whatnots.  Maybe a pocket or two on the inside as well.  I have a ton of this yarn, so it won't be a problem!

I'm still making chemo hats!  I'm almost done with this batch, I have 3 more till I have my dozen, then I'll post pictures of them.  The ladies at work only see the hats in progress, they haven't seen a finished one yet.  They think I don't really finish them!  I promised I would bring in the batch when I'm done so they can see them.  I'm doing some different things to a few hats.  So its been exciting for me to work on them.  I'm excited to finish & show them off!  Soon!

What's New?

Not too much new to report on my end.  Still making Chemo hats.  I'm very close to finishing my 8th hat in this bunch, so I'll be able to post the pics soon!  While I just love the helix spiral pattern for its ease & use of smaller scraps, I've been doing a few different styles of hat for variety. 

Currently, I'm making a Quaker rib hat. Another very simple concept, its 4-6 rounds of St. st, then 4-6 rounds of reverse St. st. - repeat to crown.  I'm having a lot of fun with these, though, because it scrunches up like an accordian!  You can't really see the St. st. parts until you stretch it out, so I'm using coordinating colors for that part.  Its sort of like a surprise when you stretch it out & see a different color inside!

My mind is roaming for variations on this, maybe add another row of a third color on the St. st. parts, just a row or two.  Use up some smaller scraps & add some interest & variety as well.  I'm also contemplating a spiral rib hat.  I have loads of cream & off white yarns just screaming for a textured pattern.  It won't even matter if its just a solid color, because the stitch pattern will add the interest.  I may even venture into some cables, but those take more time & thought, so I'll see how I feel about it!

On other news, Luv2knit63 (aka Lisa!) asked about the helix spiral hat pattern.  I searched the web & couldn't find the pattern again, but I know its out there in many forms.  If you want it, I"m sure if you search more diligently than I did, you'll find it! :)

Rhaman60 asked for the felted purse pattern.  I sort of made it up as I knit along. Unfortunately, I did not write down instructions for what I did.  Shame on me!  But there are many very nice bag patterns out there, a google search should help with that!  I hope you find something you like! 

Someone else out there asked about knitted flowers.  (I can't seem to find the post right now)  I highly recommend Nicky Epstein's book Knitted Embellishments.  It is rather pricey to buy ($30), but I found it at the library.  There are loads of delicious flowers & other trims!  The woman is a genious!  I personally want this book, too, so maybe a Mother's Day gift or anniversary present?! 

Thanks to everyone who take time from your busy days to read all my sillybabble! 

Happy New Year & More Hats To All!

Happy New Year to Everyone!  Let's hope its a healthy, hopeful year for us all!

Here are some pictures of my latest batch of chemo hats.  I actually finished these back in late October or early November & took them to the cancer center.  But I was in the middle of some bag babble, so I didn't talk about them yet!

I was trying to get a little more adventurous with the yarn types I've been using.  So I pulled out some chenille yarns.  They blended very well with the regular yarns & came out soft & cuddley.  I'm not a big fan of chenille, but I have a ton of it from a yarn store going out of business sale. 

I also pulled out some fun confetti-type yarns.  They have lots of fluff on them & look rather fuzzy & cuddley.  Not a fun yarn to work with, but I don't have too much of it either!  I think the hats came out fun!  I'm sure someone out there will love them!

I also resorted to one of my favorite basic patterns, the spiral helix.  It is such a great way to use up those yarns & I made quite a few that way!  They just look so interesting & its better than a plain boring hat!  Like the hats I made in the beginning!  There are a couple with a regular ribbed hem, but most have the soft rolled brim that I like so much! 

I currently have 7 hats in the basket, but as mentioned before, I like to give them in even dozens.  So, just a few more & they'll be making their way to the cancer center too!