Mongol Hat

My friend Jose is Philipino. So obviously he needs a Mongol Hat (what, really?!). Just like Zach is of some mixed white heritage and so needs a Viking Hat.

Here are the last of the ravaging hordes, out for a night on the town, to plunder. And to see Avenue Q.

Since I’m mixing up ethnicities here, I may as well throw in this picture of an origami flapping bird I made last week from an eggroll wrapper.

It was delicious dipped in jarred “duck sauce”–some sweet and sour type thing. It was inspired by these beauties at Evil Mad Scientist Laboritories.

Stash Purge Part 1

My friend K is starting an arts and crafts group for low-income women in Park City. She put out a call for donated craft and cooking supplies and fabrics, etc. I have plenty of those things, AND ETCETERA!

K came over on Wednesday and took everything she wanted. Her trunk and back seat were full. It felt good to get rid of some things I haven’t been using!

New Pom Pom Hat

Zach has one of these pom pom hats that I made 2 years ago from the same kind of yarn, only olive green. He’s been wearing it faithfully. So, when we were in San Francisco over Christmas, I bought more Malabrigo yarn. It knit up really fast on size 17 needles. Of course, I just sewed in the ends this morning, because I am unable to give most gifts on their designated holiday. It’s been mostly finished since new years.

Morning Trail 2

Here are pictures from this morning, a more gray day, but a little warmer. You may be able to spot the slight yellow tinge at the base of the mountains that signifies that, later in the day, there will be a pollution haze.

Here are the Canadian geese in the wildlife preserve. This section of trail smelled like duck poop.

A shot overlooking I-215 from the 4100 South bridge. I felt a bit of vertigo and had to refrain from throwing my camera over the edge, something a tiny part of me always wants to do when standing up high.

As promised, a shot of me in my riding gear. I have on santa boots, wool/silk socks, thermal pants, pajama pants, a tank top, a thermal top, and a 2-layer coat. I also wear a nifty orange balaclava.  I am NOT cold. With my lights flashing, I just hope people notice me!

Morning Trail

After a month of filthy air, and lung infections, and feeling like going outside would cause me to get asthma, I finally felt ready to ride again this morning. Here’s a 7am shot from the street, before I got onto the trail. At this point, I was going into a coughing fit, but by the end of the ride, my lungs were fine.

The air was clean and crisp, and the sunrise was gorgeous.

I’m outta shape, though, so I only made it 9 miles, than hopped on the bus up a little hill for the last mile. One of these days I’ll snap a photo of myself in all the gear that I pile on in order ride in 28 degree weather (I don’t have fancy gear, just lots of layers).

Hot Springs

A few weekends ago we headed to Crystal Hot Springs, up north. The air in SLC was disgustingly smoggy with inversion, and we hoped to go somewhere with cleaner air. We braved 28 degrees air temps to bathe in the hot pools.

We were greeted in the parking lot by the friendliest goose ever, who just wanted to be pet like a cat:

The Boogedy loved putting on his ‘watee wings’ and paddling about. Here he is with our roommates, J and C.

We were all famished when we were done, and the Boogedy slept like a rock that night.

Boysenberry Beret

I made this for myself because I tried on the shop sample at Black Sheep Wool Company and it was adorable and I can’t resist Baby Cashmerino yarn, and the sample fit beautifully. Unfortunately, mine turned out too big. It was easy to make, with an easily memorized vine and leaf pattern. It made me want to venture out and try more lace and more cables!

Perhaps some larger-headed friend will get this for xmas, because it’s done now and I can’t bear the thought of stitching elastic into the band.

Minty Booties

I made these for a co-worker who is expecting her baby boy, like, yesterday already!!

I followed this pattern by Saartje.

I used Koigu and size 2 or 3 needles. I made some silly mistakes.

Failed Cozy Slippers

I swear to you that I have been lucky with this pattern before.  I’ve made these slippers SIX other times. The last two times were red and black ones for Zach and lime green ones for the Boogedy.

But this time I did three things wrong (at least).

* I forgot to add an extra row for wide feet.

* I did something to make the purple opening all crookedy.

* I must have missed another row that creates the lip to hold them on, because they just fall right off.

What does one do with adorable but ill-fitting footwear?

Also, since I made these for Zach as a father’s day present, but didn’t finish them til October, would I get credit for making a christmas present when I finish the replacement pair?

Homeliest Baby Hat Ever

(I borrowed this photo from the Crystal Palace Website, where you can see all the lovely colorways of Mochi Plus self-striping yarn)

I bought this gorgeous yarn at Black Sheep Wool Co. months ago. I knitted my favorite baby hat design.

It is so hideous that I couldn’t give it to the intended new mommy. I should have used one of their other colors!

I was reminded of this experience when Jane Brocket published this too-true  post about the beauty of handpainted yarn…before it gets knitted up!

Please don’t go saying that this hat is beautiful. SOMEHOW, it is just marvelously photogenic, but I know you’d agree that in real life, it’s atrocious.