Hats, Socks, and Scarves, OH MY!

For Christmas I received more money, so I've spent a little and have some saved for probably another knitpicks order. I wanted to wait and see how I liked the yarn I purchased from them first (love it!) I returned a couple needles I bought at my LYS and picked up some others for some sock knitting along with some additional colors of yarn I bought during my previous outing. I would say I'm slowly beginning to feel like a yarn snob, but that's not accurate at all. I switch between my wool mix socks and acrylic blanket with ease, it's just that I'm beginning to enjoy wool more and more. The least expensive pure wool I can use is paton's merino. It's not a joy to slide along my fingers, but it doesn't bother them enough to make me stop.



I started knitting "Harry Socks" out of the "Dobby's Socks" section of Charmed Knits. I really never thought I could knit on size 1 needles, but I didn't have any trouble, not even during the cast on and first couple of rounds (and I really, really hate beginning with ribbing). I'm past the heel now, and I can't say I enjoyed the heel of this sock. I've never had any problems with slip stitch heels and one other variety I've tried, but this has the wrap stitches and either I didn't do them right, or it just makes a looser edge. When I was finished I had to pick up 4 extra stitches on each side to make them less gappy. Hopefully either the second sock goes better or I just learn that I don't like that kind of heel. I've never had trouble picking up gusset stitches before, I can always go back to that. I'm still kinda searching for a sock pattern for E. I bought knitpicks Essential for him too in a different colorway, but I can't find a pattern that seems to go up to his size. I think I'm feeling a little too chicken to change one on my own. We'll see how I feel after this pair.

Mr. Nathan's Tea Cozy Crown looks absolutely adorable. I don't think I have ever been more pleased with a hat in my life. As soon as his busy mom gets a happy picture of him, I'll post it. It's cute, he's cute and boy does the whole darn thing just go together so well. I really liked the yarn too. That was probably one of the fastest projects I've done, but had no signs of sloppiness or hurry in it (not that I was in either state of mind).