#10 - Here's for the guys...

Ever since my boyfriend found out that I could knit, he has been asking me to make a hat for him. And, with his help, I've designed this hat. I chose the colors, but he chose the pattern and design--from what color the top of the hat should be (grey or navy blue) and how long the stripes should be. I made the first hat for him, and then made another for some other lucky guy. Until I'm able to sit him down in his hat (which will be hard to do with the nice warm weather outside), these pictures will have to do for now.

I'm calling this hat the Mifflin Man Hat. Keeping with my general theme of using areas in Madison as an inspiration for naming my knits, I chose Mifflin St. It's an area that (at least to me) seems to be more dominated by guys. It's a fun area of the campus that's near downtown, but still far enough away that it is it's own distinct neighborhood. And, of course, there's the Mifflin Street Block Party every May, right before final exams. The block party is a way to release a little stress before settling down into studying for the next week.

Also, I liked how Mifflin Man kind of sounds like Michelin Man. I like that large doughy tire man.

As soon as I get the boy to sit down for a few pictures, this hat will be listed in my Etsy shop (probably by Tuesday). Until then, enjoy these pictures and just imagine how great your favorite guy would look in this hat.

Now, on to watching the Badger game. They need to pull through on this one so we can keep a bowl possibility. Plus, I'd love to see them move up in the rankings. I'm planning on starting a new scarf while watching the game--a little hint, it's going to be green and navy blue (I love that color combination). And, there will be cables. 

Go Badgers!

#5 - I'd Like to Introduce...

the Bascom Scarflette!

This is the first finished project for my upcoming etsy store. It is named after Bascom Hill in Madison--a steep hill that students (myself included) often climb at least once a day. This hill was one of the scariest areas to walk during the winter, though. Being so steep, I was always nervous that the path would still be frozen over at 7:30am as I walked to class. One false move and I'd be sliding down the hill, hopefully foot first on my back. Now, this scarflette definitely wouldn't protect me during a fall, but at least I'd still look good.

The Bascom Scarflette was knit with a soft acrylic yarn (that I had previously planned on using for the Camp Randall braided scarf) in a rich deep purple. Because this yarn is so thick, I knit it in a pattern that creates small windows throughout the scarflette. Sometimes I find that my scarves can get too warm, to the point where I want to take it off, but as soon as I do, I get cold again. It's quite the conundrum. With these little openings, a little bit of air is still able to get in to keep from getting too warm...

In addition, the openings make it easy to quickly fasten the scarflette closed. This is so warm and cuddly, I can't wait to make more. And I'll be keeping one for myself.

#3 - It is sooo over

That's it...I've decided that the Camp Randall Scarf just isn't going to happen. I place most of the blame on myself. After the braided portion was done, I had decided to do stockinette stitch for the rest of the scarf until I got close to the end and would then do the braid again, but in reverse. So boring. Plus, it has been a long time since I have knit, so I'm impatient to finish my projects--I'd forgotten that scarves can take some time.

However, the yarn is not going to get off that easily. It should've spoken up long telling me that the whole stockinette stitch thing just wouldn't happen. Because it can't be all my fault, right?

Don't worry, though. I still like the yarn and it will come back somehow. It's too thick for most things (it's about a chunky), but I foresee a good future for it in small projects.

And if you liked the look of the scarf let me know! A little encouragement (and the right yarn) could bring this pattern back in a flash.

#2 - Camp Randall Braided Scarf

I was trying to figure out how to name my scarves...obviously I could have just named them by describing what they looked like. But I wanted them to have names, make them more identifiable.

Driving home from the gym on Friday night, I thought--Madison! Of course. Naming my scarves (or hats, or other goodies) after places that I love in Madison would be a fun way for me to bring Madison into everything I make.

So, here's my Camp Randall Braided Scarf. Camp Randall is where the UW-Madison Badgers play football. You never know what the weather might be like--even during early September it's entirely possible for it to be in the 60s. And as fall continues, it only becomes more likely that we will be standing outside in the cold cheering on the Badgers. Depending on how the game is going, that can be a long three hours and this scarf would definitely help.

This scarf has a thick cabled braid at the end and then continues in a comfortable stockinette stitch. The yarn is called Sumptuous--which is exactly how it feels. The thick cushy yarn feels so wonderful against my neck, it's hard not to wear it constantly...but that will have to wait until the weather cools, just a little.