Getting knitty with it

This winter my Mom asked me if I would knit a scarf for her friend like the one I made her several years ago. I had not touched knitting needles since we moved from California, so I picked up my trusty, worn copy of Stitch and Bitch and taught myself how to cast on and knit again-the basics if you want to make a scarf. I forgot how much I liked the soothing motions of knitting and the act of turning plain balls of yarn into something usable/wearable and unique-so I decided I wanted to learn the art of it, as broadly as possible...and kinda just dove in. Next I learned how to purl, and then how to use knit and purl stitches to form stitch patterns, such as the seed stitch. Armed with that knowledge, I began knitting a baby blanket with a seed stitch border for our cousin Joyce who is due in June. Ecstatic about my accomplishment, I decided it begged for a cute little matching hat. So then I taught myself how to knit in the round on circular needles and with double point needles, which in pictures looks more complicated than it is.

Anatomy of a hat

For the past few months I have been knitting hats from a book of patterns for gifts, and I'm loving it-especially the challenge of mastering a new stitch pattern or technique (today I am working with eyelets and ribbons). I have already had two sales from friends who liked my hats, which is tremendously exciting. I think stitch work is an art form, and to have people appreciate your work (and even enough to want to buy/wear it), it's an honor. I would love to have my own little hat knitting business, but I would need to create my own patterns, so that would take some time. I'm thinking about sending out an e-mail to my girl friends in a few months to take orders for hats to knit up for Christmas gifts if anyone is interested in a little noggin' warmer for their children, nieces, nephews, godchildren, friends' children, etc. We shall see. I have been mainly knitting with wool because I love the vibrant hues of a certain yarn I bought for a steal at a local yarn shop that was going out of business...but I am going to try to invest in some fun cottons and washable wools as well. The possibilities are endless my friends.

My first attempt at a fairisle design, although the hat is WAY too small for Owie,

so I will save it for our next child :)

Anyways, since knitting is my new favorite thing (read obsession), I figured it was worth an entry with some pics. I won't upload the photo of Joyce's baby blanket because I am going to give it to her next weekend when Owen and I visit Houston for her baby shower, and I don't want to spoil the surprise! Let me know what you think of my hats, y'all.