Loganberry Fair Isle Hat

Wanting a cosy winter hat with a splash of color, I looked for a chunky yarn that made me happy to look at. Of course, my allergy to wool made it imperative that it have less than 10% wool content in the yarn. Having heard good things about Sirdar Crofter and enjoyed making a baby beanie hat with the DK, I made my choice. Cork Wools and Crafty Alley both carry this yarn!

I started this hat at the top and based the increases on a sock toe pattern. This was made before I tried Erika Knight’s Baby Beanie pattern. Here’s a photo of it nearly finished.

This was my second attempt at knitting a hat and by far my more successful one. Coincidentally, I did not follow any pattern whatsoever with my first attempt, my Mint Chocolate Hat. The Loganberry Crofter hat is cosy even though it does look like it would suit a Conehead. I’d blame the sock-based increases, but it actually doesn’t bother me enough to rip back and change it. I ended up taking the tail of yarn at the hat’s top and pulling a tuck of the top in for a flatter appearance. Overall, I was thrilled with how the Crofter knitted up as a pre-patterned yarn as well as texturally. I have wool allergies and the minimal wool in this yarn doesn’t bother me. Which probably means I will be knitting a lot more things for myself with it.

The key for me is to use it in small doses since the pattern and colors of Loganberry in particular are bright. Again, they sell this yarn at Crafty Alley in Killarney (oh yes, they ship!) and Cork Wools in Cork City Centre.

Handknit Baby Beanie

After knitting a few baby blankets and sewing a few baby gifts, I’ve come to appreciate the classic simplicity of a hand-knit baby beanie. After all, few babies are born with a warm had of hair so it’s the little hats that keep them warm in those first weeks – and even months. Winter babies especially need hats because indoor or out, they don’t have much insulation from the cold. So, in my seemingly endless search for the perfect handmade baby gift, I am embarking on the handknit baby beanie. The pattern is from Erika Knight’s book, Simple Knits for Cherished Babies ($10.17 from Amazon.com or £5.82 from Amazon.co.uk). I used Sirdar Crofter DK Yarn 57 Granary. It took barely any yarn at all – maybe 15-30% of the skein. The entire project knit up in just three days! This pattern is definitely one I will make again and again, perhaps pairing with booties if I learn how to make those. Not to mention my plans to scale the pattern to work for adult heads too.

Glub Glub Fishy Set for Toby

When good friends have a baby it is a blessing and worthy of something special. To celebrate my friends’ son Toby’s arrival in the world, I made him a fish-themed set, including a Glub Glub Grub Bib, an Appliqued Fish Onesie, and my friend Melissa helped by making a crocheted cardigan with hat.

The onesie has one large fish using IKEA fabric that I pre-shrunk with two little stars embroidered for a splash of color.

The bib is reversible with appliqued fish on one side and the stitching showing an outline of the fish on the reverse.

Melissa crocheted the cardigan and hat and I added fish buttons for the sweater to go with the fishy theme. The buttons are from Cork Button Factory.

Here is the entire set looking bright and cheerful.

The Fair Alternative – Local Crafts for Christmas

Last weekend, I stopped in to The Fair Alternative in the Unitarian church on Princes Street to check out the lovely handmade items I could buy for someone this year. Locally made with skill and a bit of love, the stalls might even be some of your favorite Etsy shops! I spoke briefly to fashion designer and artist Laura Eliason and Beata Jezekova of Hedgehog Fibres about their choices of colors, textures, and elements in their work.

Laura is selling hand-crocheted slippers and fingerless gloves (perfect for the stylish smart phone user). She carefully chose the buttons adorning the wrist of the gloves from the local favorite, Cork Button Factory. I especially loved the glamourous one with the black and sparkly button, but honestly the gloves with bicycle buttons are so much more my style. Either way, there is bound to be something you’ll love so hop on over!

For one day only, Beata was there with her luxurious hand-dyed wool, ideal for knitting or crochet. Carefully chosen colors and meticulous quality standards make Hedgehog Fibres yarn a sought after item by knitters and crocheters in the know. I myself am hooked on the lace weight silk/merino and her shockingly sock and strong sock yarn, which I just bought myself as a birthday treat. Swoon!

Kooky Cute Crochet has her darling squishy soft creatures that are favorites among Pink Auction goers.

Talented Annie Basteed is there with her hip Deco Dolls.

Gina and her Devilish Designs bring a modern twist to useful and everyday objects, such as aprons, toss pillows, and much more.

Krist Kindl – Experiment in Loving

A forewarning that this post is different than my usual. It refers to religion, faith, and the Bible. I am not telling anyone what to believe in this, simply sharing a tradition shared among students and alumnae of my high school. I hope you enjoy it in the positive spirit in which I share it. If you like this post, you may want to visit my blog, Half Full Philosophy, which focuses on seeing the good in everyday life.

Being filled with inner love and joy is a gift. Where is comes from is subject to much debate, but where it goes is a simple enough discussion. Sharing your love with the world is a great gift and as the holiday season envelopes us for many of the world’s religions we can consider how to share our love with others.

My high school religion teacher also happens to be a lifelong family friend so when it comes to learning lessons of faith, love, and charity, I had it coming from all angles. One of the most valuable experiences is something that is a little challenging and slightly intimidating, but results in being a better person.

Krist Kindl is just such a thing and one that can be undertaken by someone of any faith. If you know someone with whom you share a difficult relationship – you know, someone who challenges your patience or who just doesn’t like you, this is an opportunity to try to change that.

Delicious Hand-Dyed Yarn Treats

For my birthday today, I bought myself a present — yarn from Hedgehog Fibres. I know, I know, I have enough yarn already, but not all knitting wool is created equal and Hedgehog is gourmet, hand-dyed, and the ultimate indulgence for a knitter, crocheter, or fibre artist.

I chose a silk/merino lace weight treasure which is soft, delicate, but strong enough for a lifetime of enjoyment. Seductively touchable with a light feel in a sturdy, quality fibre. The Petals colorway is enchanting and feminine without being too girly.

The Petals colorway reminds me of a branch from a Cherry Blossom tree. Soft buff tan bark with gentle pink petals dancing in a spring breeze. Growing up in DC, I LOVE the Cherry Blossoms. Little known fact is that I was actually a Cherry Blossom Princess back in the day. So I will once again feel like a princess while knitting up and wearing the lace shawl made from this decadent yarn in a decidedly feminine colorway.

Of course, that wasn’t all I treated myself to! As with most things, there is a cherry on top!

Miller’s Baby Blanket

This past spring, the world was graced with the presence of a new little boy named Miller. His parents are dear friends of mine and, as such, the object of a bit of pampering as they welcomed their first child.

I cast on 84 stitches, working with doubled up yarn – Regia sock wool and three different acrylic yarns – and knit entirely in garter stitch. For five weeks, I knitted away with various colorful yarns to create Miller’s baby blanket. In under the sea shades, this blanket was acrylic yarn paired with a superwash wool sock yarn in blue, green, and brown hues. I added stripes at two sides – pale blue with brown for one end and green at the other end. The effect was a funky retro look in earthy-oceany colors.

The blanket, like the Vanilla Mint Chip Blanket and Blue Skies Baby Blanket, was made with the Doubled Up Yarn approach I favor. Of the three baby blankets, I think I like Miller’s the best because it feels lightweight, the gauge is a little looser so it breathes better, and the garter stitch gives it a subtle squishy feel. Of course, the vibrant color scheme certainly helps too! I can’t wait to make one like this in shades of pink and orange for a baby girl.

It was paired with this cardigan, hat, and booties set made by my friend Melissa.

Handmade Gifts for Christmas

Some of my favorite holiday gifts have been the ones that I can enjoy again and again. A favorite gadget or beloved cardigan or, best of all, something edible or handmade. It is that little touch that truly defines the saying ‘It’s the thought that counts.’ Here are some lovely ideas to get you started, some link to past posts or posts from my other blog, Cooking Peas & Q’s.