Two Small Projects

After finishing Hubby's hat, I decided to start one for myself.  As I mentioned before, I don't have a winter hat, and with temperatures back down below zero, I thought it was time I had one. I searched for just the right pattern. Since this was going to be my only hat (for now) it had to be stylish as well as warm, but I also wanted to learn a new knitting technique. I found this pattern that has a bit of cabling around the brim of the hat. I have always liked cable-knit hats, and this one didn't seem too difficult.  I was a bit hesitant, thinking maybe I wasn't ready for cables, but I wanted to give it a try. A few rows into the pattern, I quickly realized that cables really weren't as difficult as I first imagined; they were actually quite simple. I started thinking maybe I wanted to try a hat that had the cables running the entire length.  I quickly went on another pattern search and found this hat pattern.  I loved it, and thought it would look great in the cream Capra Cashmere that I bought on sale a few weeks ago.  I ripped out the few rows I had originally started and set to work on Cable Up.  I did have to rip out about half of what I had done because I had somehow missed a row of cabling, but after an intense, lip-biting evening of ripping, catching stitches, and fixing a missed cable, I was back to knitting.  I am now almost ready to start decreasing.  The cables are so pretty...I have to keep stopping to look at them and remind myself that I actually knit them myself. I'm so happy that I chose to go with this pattern.

I also started another book, A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers.  I am thoroughly enjoying it, and I can't wait to hunker up tonight with a cup of tea and the next chapter.  I can always count on Francine to be a good read, and I tend to pick up one of her books after reading something that wasn't so fulfilling.  

The next project is something Hubby has been working on...a new cutting board.  He made it  for me from small scraps of hard wood that he has been saving from various jobs; scraps that would normally be thrown away. Isn't it lovely?  It is more of a piece of art than a kitchen utensil.  My cutting boards are generally tucked neatly away when not it use, but not this one.  It has taken permanent residence on the counter. It is just too pretty to put away.  At first we were reluctant to blemish it's smooth surface by, you know, actually cutting on it, but I'm beginning to think it looks better with each use.  The color is deepening a bit, and it is starting to take on a character of its own. I love using it, knowing it was made by my husband with materials that were considered trash.  It's a good feeling when we make use of what we already have and create what we need rather than going out and buying it.

Joining Ginny and Nicole and The Barn Hop