And on the 7th day...I created....

THIS!!! Isn't this just the CUTEST little baby hat. Well, I think so *grin* Funny thing is, it started out a COMPLETELY different hat that was from Itty Bitty Hats by Susan Anderson (HIGHLY recommended).
Well, somehow, it took on a life of it's own right after the 4th row. I can't explain it, I don't know what happened, but it happened. I LOVE it and it was sooooo fun...only thing is, I didn't write it down. I have NO clue what I did. Not that it would matter cuz lets face it, the REAL pattern is probably WAY better LOL but this was fun AND since I have NO clue how to write OR design patterns, THIS was fun. It is only the second thing I have EVER knitted without a pattern and it too was fun. Remember the first was the fingerless mitts awhile back that ya'll were FANTASTIC about and had nothing but nice things to say to me about it.....see what ya'll spurned LOL...
Anyways, this also has some crotchet in it. The straps, meant to simply cross at the chest, are all single crotchets. The trim is also single crotchet. I used King Cole Anti-Tickle 100% Merino. Well, my comment about it is that I liked it, it is very soft, fine and almost delicate feeling. I am not sure I am completely crazy about the fabric it made with the size needles, it is kind of loose, but we'll see. This went for a gift and I hope she likes it, especially since I kind of made it on my own LOL.


Well, before I go on to do what I REALLY wanna do for ya'll , critique some yarns I swatched, I gotta tell ya about this blog that I am sure you already have seen BUT.......I am gonna tell ya anyways. I bought this book a couple of weeks ago, during the whole Zoe Mellor book/pattern thingy. Well, I got Knitted Toys by Zoe Mellor and I have been daydreaming about this adorable snake pattern. I have put it off because I just wasn't sure it was THE snake ya know. The one that was IT!! Well, I went to read my friend Danielle's blog the other day and there it was....THE snake. The ONE, Mr. IT!!! He is THE most adorable snake I have EVER seen AND the best part, she made a PATTERN for all of us! Check out her blog and Mr. Snakey, it is worth it, I promise. Here is the site http://aknittingmom.blogspot.com/


Bring on the yarns............Here are the 2 swatches I told you I wanted to do regarding the Vicki Howell/SWTC yarn, CRAFT- cotton and milk fiber, it is the light pink color. The other is the Jaeger Aqua,100% mercerized cotton in Fuchsia. I swatched them on size 6 needles for a Debbie Bliss Cabled Beret pattern. The Jaeger and I have had a love affair since last summer. I had preconceived thoughts about the "cotton" yarns even before I touched one. I flat out REFUSED to like it or even give it a try. I turned the other cheek EVERY time I walked past it, keeping my fingers from touching it, pushing it aside continually. Then it happened. I seen the Prairie Tunic pattern in Interweave Knits, it captivated me. I HAD to knit it, and I HAD to use what THEY did..............*gasp* COTTON!! That was the start of my illicit affair with cotton and cotton blends, always looking for the next one....you know the feeling, it happens to all of us at one time or another. For me it was Jaeger, you , maybe Lamb's Pride, Classic Elite, or some other innocent brand. Since then, I have drooled, gasped, and sheepishly bought every new cotton and cotton blend that's flirting it's fibers. The Vicki Howell/SWTC-Craft, with its shiny cotton and creative milk fiber blend.........I had never heard of it, I NEEDED it.........and so I bought it, I swatched it, and now, well, I love it too. Can it be that I am a cotton $%^#& too? This is soon to be determined I guess.


The Jaeger was nice and smooth, just like mercerized cotton says it is, but it was better than the average. it didn't split, it had even stitch definition, slid on the needles like it was waxed, but it fell inferior to the CRAFT (cotton/milk fiber blend) I LOVE it. The Jeager was a little stiff, a little hard when it meshed with the rest of the stitches leaving gaps that just didn't look that appealing to me. It didn't fuzz/pill at ALL and believe me, I tend to pill a yarn while swatching. You see, I have a REALLY heavy hand.....comes from dealing with toddlers who have sensory issues......anyways, it held up, TREMENDOUSLY!! The color was vibrant and bold though and THAT was hard to beat. End result, I put it aside to swatch the CRAFT. The Jaeger didn't match gauge and secretly, I was hoping it wouldn't. The CRAFT was......well.... It is soft as butter. The stitches are smooth and even. The fabric melds together and creates a flexible fabric. I am nervous that it isn't sturdy enough though, it seems a little "loose" and I am wondering if I dropped down a needle size, if that would firm up the fabric some while keeping its softness. I also am a little disheartened about the color, it isn't as vibrant as I had hoped for, almost hazy in appearence, BUT.............................
maybe this is just the pink. I did get the lime green too and I will let you know how the color knits up. I did see some teeny fuzz to it after I swatched BUT it is not as "smooth and sleek" as the mercerized so that isn't fair. I will hold judgement on that until after it is washed too. The end result of it, I WANTED to knit the Cabled Beret in it, I WANTED it to match gauge. It did!!!

I will show pictures of the progress of it and keep track of the pilling and fuzz during completion. As for the Jaeger, well, I still have plans for that little sex kitten, trust me!

Now I will leave you with some pictures of how it looks when your little one discovers "CLAY" for the first time. My kids can't play with playdoh, there are chemicals and such in it that can make Mr. Man VERY sick as well as having wheat in it and Miss Priss and Mr. Man BOTH can't play with THAT....soooo, I "improvised". Oh sure, we tried the homeade playdohs and they were AWFUL, rubbery, non-molding, very sad in general. Then I found Modeling Clay and joy had been found. It will keep Miss Priss busy for HOURS! What's the problem you ask...........well...................you tell me *grin*

yes, cute, I know.....................BUT....................................GREEN!!!!!

Knit on my friends!