I can not believe this year is coming to an end. It seems like it was just weeks ago I picked up my needles for the first time. I still feel like a new knitter at times but I am not sure why. I think we all go through that period where you know what you are doing yet you still doubt yourself. I do not make the mistakes that I once did but still there are things that make me skip over projects on my queue because I am not sure if I can do it. I have yet to make a sweater and I am not sure if you remember but that was one of my goals for this year. I tried a couple of weeks ago but it was not looking how I wanted it …. so it was frogged. I have gotten some other projects done since my last post so I will share those with you. I also want to talk to you about some things I have planned in the future. So lets dive in.
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Pattern : Barley by Tin Can Knits This is a free pattern on Ravelry and is an easy go to fast knit. If you can knit and purl you can make this hat. I used Red Heart With Love in the Aran colorway. (This picture was taken before blocking) I made this hat for Halo’s of Hope. The pattern is well written and easy to follow. I love this pattern so much and I think it is great how Tin Can Knits wrote it with everyone in mind. The pattern has sizing from a baby all the way to an adult. It is part of the The Simple Collection. I encourage you to visit their Ravelry page and check out of great designs from them. They also have another free pattern called Harvest . It is a lovely cardigan that I have been wanting to knit for some time and I am ready to cast it on. If you would like to join me and several other ladies from my Thursday knit night you are more than welcome to. I have bought my yarn and we are casting on September 15, 2014. This KAL and my reviews of Tin Can Knits are my own and have nothing to do with them nor are they sponsored by them.
The Pattern: Ropes and Ladders by Veronik Avery I also finished my headband I was making from Delicious Yarns. The pattern is a mixture or written and chart. The pattern and charted area is really easy to understand knit, purls, yarn overs, decreasing and sliding a stitch over another is all you need to know how to do. The pattern is in a book called Knitting 24/7. I actually got the library to get the book from another library for me. I only had the book a few days so can not really comment on the other patterns but from what I read as I scanned over them there were several cute ones in there. You can actually check out the line up of patterns here on Ravelry. I really liked their yarn and love the blips of random color. I did a post on their yummy yarns a few weeks ago and you can see it here. Since I wrote that post they not only shared a picture of my WIP but the also included it in their newsletter! How awesome is that. It was nice of them to include a cuff pattern with their yarn but I had been wanting a headband and still have yarn left over for an ornament of small stuffie. 
The Pattern : Wavy Moss Hat by Cedar Box Knits This pattern is a must knit. It is not only super cute but fast as well. the pattern includes directions for a headband, beanie and slouchy hat. I made a beanie style. I made some modifications to my hat. I started the cable section and knit it flat. I also knit my cabled section longer to give it that button up look. I then picked up the stitches and knit in the round. I used a knit stitches instead of the seed stitch to show off the handspun’s detail. This yarn was part of a package I won from Taiga Hilliard Designs. Taiga is an amazing designer, she has something from everyone and some amazing shawls. I also added a big button that I picked up at Stitches South this past year. The button is Birch and from Favour Valley Woodworking. I remember standing in their booth starring at the wall of gorgeous buttons wanting them all. The yarn is Wild Rivers Wool Factory in the Easter Egg Green colorway. I am going to be honest and say when I first got this yarn I LOVED the color but hated the feel of it. It was ruff and reminded me of a kitchen scrub pad. Now that was when I first got the yarn.. now that I have knit it and soaked it my views have changed. This yarns softens up like crazy. It still is a tad bit scratchy next to skin but only a itty bitty bit. 
The Pattern: Belugah Slouch Hat by Kelly McClure Another must knit by Kelly McClure! I have already knit her Sockhead Hat and loved knitting it and love wearing it. It has become a must have when I feel under the weather even here in Alabama where it has been hotter than Hades. The pattern is knit, purls and decreases. I chose Malabrigo Merino Worsted for this project in the Mariposa colorway. Malabrigo ….. oh Malabrigo …. if you own Malabrigo then you totally understand. The stitch detail and the color dept is stunning. If you do not own any then please get some as soon as possible! I love this colorway, it is very different and for some strange reason it makes me think of the game Plants Vs Zombies. 
I also want to share a Lego Sheep I spotted at my local Lego store. There was actually a whole herd! There white ones and black ones. I asked for a how to so I could build some but the employee told me they were part of the Lego Master Builder Program. I had to share a picture of him though.
I have some nice reviews planned for the future, I want to do a review on the Harlow bag from Namaste, as well as knitting bags from Jordana Paige. I also plan on doing a review of knitting needles. I know when I was hunting for an interchangeable set I had a hard time finding reviews that had the info I needed, I am also working to do some book reviews!! I plan on doing Video reviews for the books and some other products so stay tuned in. Be sure to sign up to get emails from my post. I do not post like crazy so do not worry about me overloading you.
Happy Yarning and see you next time! ~Kim