The Shire

I had the most fun at the wonderful store, Florilegium in Parkville, Missouri... (just a few minutes from downtown Kansas City.) A few weeks ago, David Gentzsch of Ozark Handspun was at Florilegium conducting a wonderful felting class, followed by a great fashion show featuring all sorts of clothes, hats, wraps, and other accessories made with Ozark Handspun.
Notice the book in the picture above? Well, I was thrilled to find that my new wonderful book, Hattitude by Cathy Carron had two hat patterns using Ozark Handspun!

I decided to make the hat called "Romantic" to wear to the workshop... I already had the Ozark Handspun in my stash... I wore it to the workshop and fashion show... it was a hit. I named it "the Shire" cause it feels a little like a Hobbit might like to live in it.
(Me and the Shire and David Gentzsch at Florilegium!)

Hats With A 'Tude

I just got this knitting book, "Hattitude" by Cathy Carron. Lately, I have been pleased if a knitting book has 4 or 5 projects that I want to make... I feel like the book was a good purchase.
Let me just say, that is not how I feel about "Hattitude". I feel like it was an excellent purchase... Not only did I find at least 6 hats that I want to make for myself, but one of my daughters marked 5 that she is about to die for. And the other daughter.... well.....
...she marked 19 hats that I just have to make her! NINETEEN!!! So the big decision is which one to cast on first. I could probably just randomly open the book and see which one it opens to... or check out my ample stash and match up the project that way. I have some Ozark Handspun and some Burly Spun... maybe I will start the hat called "Romantic". I would make that one for moi! Oh what fun!

Rock and Roll Mitten

I started this mitten the other night at my son's rock and roll show at a bar in Westport. It was about 1 degree F. out that night... and I really felt the need for a decent pair of mittens. Anyway, I am sure it was bad enough for my son to have his mom show up at his gig... and to be knitting!!! Yikes.
This awesome elf hat will go quite well with my mitten(s) when I get them all done. The hat is lacking a tassle at the tip and braided ties. I love wearing things that most adults wouldn't be caught dead in.
Happy New Year!

Warm Ears for Atticus

Christmas Day brought a big snow and a bunch of cold. Atticus was aghast there were no warm hats in the house... none with ear flaps anyway. So I searched Ravelry for a pattern and he picked from the projects of other knitters... luckily, I had the right colors in the right wool... so... voila... warm ears for Atticus.

Pom-pom Love

As if this scarf isn't bad enough on its own... just wait till I make Tank (HimsMostPretty) a matching sweater for our pretty walks.

Hillbilly Gnome

Gnome moved to the Ozarks and now has officially become a Hillbilly. He seems to really like his new home. My folks are happy to have Hillbilly Gnome move in... as long as he doesn't start smoking a corn cob pipe.
Hillbilly Gnome (Yuletide Gnome) is an Alan Dart pattern. I altered the knitting to be done completely in the round. I used notes from other knitters on Ravelry, and the best tutorial was from JoyKnitCrochet blog. (When you click on this link, be sure to scroll down to find the tutorials for the mittens and boots... really great info!!!) I think more gnome knitting is in my future... all six kids fell in love with Hillbilly Gnome!

Gnome

Can't seem to get a good picture of Gnome. He will be moving to the Ozarks soon. I think he will have some cousins that will be moving to New Jersey before Christmas if all goes as planned. You can't tell from this picture, but his beard is sparkly white. How is "sparkely" spelled, anyway? SPARKLEY???? Anyway, his beard has a sparkle that is very festive.