The Hat Story

One of my very first projects was a hat for O. I used Noro Kureyon, made it up as I went along, and used straights *gasp*. For a first-timer, it was a great hat and it's been used by all 3 boys in the house. Once I became comfortable with circular and double pointed needles, I made hats like a mad woman!! I made DH yet another hat, this time out of Cascade 220, I honestly can't remember the color or whether it had a stripe. It was a good hat. This hat was lost on the train. For several days O checked the lost and found to no avail. He was sad, I was sad, there were tears. I finally caved and said I'd make him yet another hat. He was thrilled. However, this time, he had specs. Yes, he had SPECS for this new hat. He requested that the sides come down over his ears and wanted a skull and crossbones on it. I was shocked for a few moments that he actually asked for special construction and design after losing the first hat but, of course, being the wonderful wife I am, I complied. So, I "designed" this hat that would make my darling husband happy. I new I was going to use 220 in black. I thought I'd use short rows to make it longer around the ears and the neck, but mom informed me I was doing it wrong and fixed it right up. I found a skull and crossbones chart online and used Malabrigo in burgundy to duplicate stitch it on after the hat was complete. I hate intarsia and I hate duplicate stitch. After all was said and done, it looked pretty kick butt. It fit like a glove. I believe I finished this hat around February of 2007. Fast forward to November 2007. I wanted to post a picture of it on the skeleknits group on Ravelry. I asked him for it. He replied with a shocked expression "You don't have it?" Ummmmm, no. He searched for it, again, to no avail. He claims someone stole it out of his front pocket of his backpack on the train. Whaaa?!?!?! Of course, I'm livid and swear up and down that I will never, NEVER, knit him another hat for as long as he shall live. And, for that matter, I will never, NEVER, knit him ANYTHING. Of course, as all this was playing out, what did I have on my needles? Oh, yeah, the Cobblestone. A sweater of all things. A sweater. I told him I would finish the sweater and that's IT.

So, he went to Target with his tail between his legs and bought not one, but two hideously ugly, plain double knit hats. Has he lost those cheap ugly hats? Of course not.

Fast forward to tomorrow. Tomorrow, my dear O will turn 37 (hee hee, he's exactly 3 years and 3 days older than me *giggle*). He said all he wanted was a really cool T-shirt. I tried to find him an awesome Henry Rollins shirt, but couldn't. So, he's getting a "Baby" T-shirt from House of 1000 Corpses fame (he's such a feminist he'll probably never wear it, though) and the movie The Underworld. And, are you ready? Yes, I'm knitting him a hat. The Ganomy Hat by Elizabeth Zimmermann, out of Malabrigo in Buscando Azul. I am so in love with this color and the pattern is fun and soooo easy. So, yes, I'm a glutton for punishment. I don't know if he'll even wear it, or manage to keep it in his possession, but we shall see tomorrow.

Welcome!! ....Spring?

Wasn't it just the other day I was talking about snow?? Would you like to know today's weather here in the Chicago area? Ummmm 63 degrees!! What is that about???? I have the windows open and the temp is perfect, for SPRING. I think Mother Nature needs a refresher course. It's January for Pete's Sake!

On the knitting front, I desperately want to make the fingerless mitts that Johnny Depp wore in Sweeney Todd. Over the holiday "break" I saw a ton of movies ~ Sweeney Todd, Gone Baby Gone, I Am Legend, and Juno. All were AWESOME!!! But I need to own 2 on DVD TODAY!!! Sweeney Todd (I live for Tim Burton!) and Juno. I have to figure what stitch is used on Johnny's mitts ;) Some say seed stitch and I think it's garter knit flat. And as for Juno, well, I just need to quote the movie for the rest of my life! So, go see a movie and bring your knitting ;) Just don't get popcorn residue on your yarn.

Zero Knitting Content.

I just wanted to share a very limited few of my faves ;) Enjoy!

One of my very very favorite Sesame Street clips. I loved Sesame Street more than life itself back in the day ;)




This is one of the coolest videos I've seen in quite some time. I initially saw it on someone's blog but I can't remember who, sorry.



One of the coolest scenes from one of my most favorite movies with my most favorite actor. Bill Murray. Not child friendly.



Excellent song by one of my favorite musical artists and it just happens to be playing during an excellent scene in another favorite movie (which, coincidentally enough is directed by the same great man and stars the wonderful Bill Murray, again as above mention movie) The Royal Tenenbaums



Classic toys starring in a classic movie ;)

Let it Snow or Winters in Wilbraham

Growing up in New England, I loved playing in the snow. My grandfather's home is atop a mountain, the view is literally breathtaking. When it snows it is the most beautiful place in the world. His front yard is the perfect mini hill for small children to sled down over and over and over again. I would spend hours playing in the snow, making snow angels, snowmen, sledding, eating snow with real Vermont maple syrup, and my dear sweet grandmother would weather the cold and help me build snow forts. Grampy would plow the ferociously long tretcherous driveway and occassionaly, I would be allowed to ride along on his Stanley tractor with snow blower attachment. Most winters the snow would come with gusto, it was not unusual for us to get 2+ feet, snow days were many, and cookie baking was frequent. Listening to the classical station or Julio Inglesias while ironing hankies and watching Nan take "40 winks" brings back warm cozy memories of winter although none of those things were limited to winter ;)

Now we are surviving our winters in Chicago and I have 4 children of my own to lovingly watch enjoy the snow. Oh the task of getting 4 children dressed properly to play in the snow is tiring just thinking about it. Picture the movie 'A Christmas Story', remember Ralphie's mother getting his little brother dressed to walk to school? Remember the poor kid couldn't put his arms down or get up once he'd fallen? Well, my kids aren't too far from looking like that. Sure, we've got the snow but along with the snow in Chicago comes bitter temperatures and WIND. Lots of wind. Snow is no longer magical for me. It takes me around 20 minutes per child to get them dressed. Yeah, do the math. Luckily for me, I don't have proper winter atire so I don't get to "play" with them. Daddy or The Prince are the responsible ones for all snow playing activities. Of course everyone is ready to come back in the house within an hour (at most). And today, we probably have about 6" of nice sticky snow and of course the kids are off school for winter break. Do I weather the storm and let them play (while I work on Dahlia )?
Or should we bake cookies and paint all day? If there were only 2 of them, the answer would be obvious. I just don't have the motivation to gather up all the winter accessories. My poor poor children are deprived. Where oh where is Papa when we need him?