This has become my default hat pattern and if you want to know the particulars, just contact me. I love figuring out new stripe configurations, in shades of gray of course. Although I must say, the weather here has been positively summer-like, but who’s complaining.

Yeah so I guess I had a lot of free time today, Christmas day, as many of us do, so I managed to finish a hat for a friend who doesn’t have one. And he’s bald! Normally this friend of mine wears only black but I just couldn’t bear to knit an all black hat even though it might have been faster. As it was I started this hat on Christmas Eve, in the evening, and finished it around 4pm today. Hats are fast, don’t you think?

I so enjoyed knitting the koolhaas hat for a friend, that I decided to make one for myself. It wasn’t the pattern that bowled me over so much as the fiber. Malabrigo twist is probably the most luscious fiber I’ve used in a long time. I rushed right out to Article Pract in Oakland and snatched up their remaining two skeins in these two colorways.

Sorry people. They might have more left but this is definitely a yarn worth searching for. So amazingly soft that I thought it was silk…or yak…but not surprised to learn that it’s merino, the finest wool around IMO.

So in between writing my literature review this cold, rainy weekend, I’ve been stealing moments here and there to work on my new hat.

<<sigh>> Back to the paper.

The weather turned cold recently and I received a message from old friend Marci. She wanted to remind me how much she loved the hat I had made her and how much she still uses and treasures the hat. The hat that I had completely forgotten I ever made. I’m guessing that I made this hat in 1994, before most of my current students were even born. I do remember, however, how much I enjoyed making this hat and that they don’t make that yarn anymore. The pattern and fiber in many colors came bundled together in a basket. Do you remember?

I’m feeling so overwhelmed by the start of school that I completely forgot to blog yesterday. Instead I attended the first football game of the season. I did manage to start a new project recently of which I’m giving you a sneak peak. The fiber is yummy Malabrigo which feels like cashmere. So wonderfully and amazingly soft. Well that’s all I can say about it right now. It’s a surprise for someone special. Shhhhhhh.

It’s been bloody cold around here – even for California. Bitter. Luckily I finished this wonderful hat just in time for the freeze. The pattern is called Intuitive and yes it is. Very easy. Very fun to make. As an added bonus it’s also convertible as you can see from the different ways it’s styled on Alex.

Wear it slouchy as pictured above.

Or fold the brim over…

…and wear it like this.

I think I like it best with the ribbing folded over and I kind of wish I had made it even longer but as it stands it took an entire skein of Venezia. This was my first time working with Venezia, inspired by Nancy who made this very same hat in Venezia but in black, and I absolutely LOVE this yarn. I don’t know why I haven’t used it before now. I’m looking for a nice sweater project to make with this luscious yarn. Possibly a long, belted cardigan.

Got any suggestions?

And that NEVER happens.

I guess the holidays are over – at least for now. Ali and Kelsi headed back to Oregon this morning but not before I managed to finish one more hat. It’s based on the Black and Grey hat and it even matches Kelsi’s shirt. Pretty cool, eh? This one is smaller with only 70 stitches (as opposed to 80 on the B&G hat). I wrote up the directions for Kirsten Z. so contact me if you’re interested and I’ll send them to you as well.

Yesterday in the city was rainy and not good for taking in the sites. Yet we up with Kathy and Joel at the Pork Store Cafe for breakfast. I’m still reeling from the amount of food served me. Seriously, I need a diet and exercise regime pronto!

Good-bye Ali and Kelsi. I’m going to miss you guys.

It’s cold. Even for California. Last night I wore my new black/grey hat, here modeled by Alejandro, to the playoff game last night against Alameda. We won, of course. Now it’s on to the Huskies at home on Saturday. Woot woot.

It was pointed out to me that the hat features Oakland Raiders colors even thought I swear my allegiance to the 49ers (I’m on the wrong side of the Bay obviously) but I just love the combination of the two colors. Also, it’s a light but very warm hat.

Alejandro liked the hat fine but he didn’t really care for the long “stem” on top. I confess that I might’ve gotten a little carried away there but I like it and I *love* the hat.