There is just something about kids and fair isle caps particularly ones with ear flaps. It is just so classic and so right. I wanted to make a modern twist on the classic caps with bright colors but still simple.

The first time I knit this hat it was for my nephew. Ian, seen here, loves hats in a way that if he was an adult would be called obsessive. He always wants to have a hat on his head and would like others to have one on too thank-you-very-much. It felt right when my husband suggested naming the hat after an island because of the fair isle. To my knowledge Ian has one been to one island – St Augustine. Perfect.

Available for $5.00 via ravelry.

With my son going to bed a little earlier these days I find myself with a little quiet time each evening. It is normally just and hour or so but after months of fussy evenings and cluster feedings a little forced quiet time is more than welcome.

I sit.

I knit.

I’m still.

Life is good.

p.s. I got a new camera and having fun playing with it.

At two months old my little man is growing out of and into clothing. And what better to dress a little man in than a “manly” vest like Nikol Lohr’s Pebble.

The pattern was easy to follow and a snap to knit. Perfect for something to keep your hands busy as you watch Battlestar Galactica episodes back to back like I did while pregnant.

It took a little over one ball of artful yarn’s candy that I picked up years ago in San Francisco. I like how the elsatic makes it where I do not even have to use the buttons right now and will provide lots of give for when that belly fills out more.

About two months ago my husband and I welcomed a new member into the family. One of the first things that needed to be attended to was making sure that the tiny head of our 7 week premature baby was kept warm. Don’t worry, Mom can take care of that.

Learn to like it kid, this will not be your last mommy-knit cap.

I am happy to announce my newest pattern Ear-a-ma-jigs. I am trying out Ravelry sales and would love to know what you think.

You know a kid that needs an extra set of ears? Well I knew a few. These 3 fun hats are great for keep little heads warm or for dress up play. Short row shaping means no annoying seams and perky ears that will not just flop over.

Craft: Knitting
Type: Baby
Published: February 2009
Yarns suggested: Dark Horse Yarns Fantasy
Yarn weight: Aran / 10 ply (8 wpi)
Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Needle size: US 7 / 4.5 mm
Sizes available: preemie, baby, toddler, child
This pattern is available for $5.00.

Something about fall always makes me want to knit. Maybe it is some sort of residue instinct for winter preparation from when my ancestors lived in colder places and did not have central heat. I know I always feel restless in the fall and I need to move around. Work becomes hard. But not knitting. That becomes easy. My hands just feel right knitting in this weather.

The first tinglings of the knitting urge hit last week I went to a new local yarn shop called Sheepish. I got some beautiful Lorna’s Laces yarn but after knitting about a foot of scarf and scratching off about half my neck I reluctantly admitted that I was having some sort of reaction to the yarn. So I had to put that aside, still not sure what I am going to do with it. Yarn swap maybe? But now I am working up a new slightly different design in my new favorite cotton yarn Blue Sky Alpaca’s Dyed Cotton bought from Atlanta’s hippest yarn shop and my new knitting group hang out Knitch. Almost all my Plush You toys were made out of this stuff so finding some fall inspired striped to go with the tan base was not hard at all.

I think I am in love with fisherman’s rib. Is it wried to say that about a stitch pattern? It just feels so chunky and soft.

The last of my Plush You toys for this year. Despite my husband suggesting the name Dropy McSplat I think I am just going to call this guy a gremlin, the kind that wrecked airplanes, not the kind that you cannot get wet.

He has the same base as this blue guy I made last year. But this year’s model sports spiffy goggles and a parachute.

The parachute was a real challenge to make but a lot of fun. Boning in an i-cord casing makes a frame that holds up the chute that is attached to the swanky backpack.

When asking my husband what I should name some of my toys he always gives me names in the form of Blanky McBlank. Most of the time I laugh and then tell him to come up with something better but something about Whaley McBlubber just felt right.

This white whale has been a white whale of mine for a while now. I originally wanted to make a whale that ate people after listening  to the Mariner’s Revenge one to many times. Then I realized that would require me to make a doll. I never played with dolls as a kid and I don’t feel right making them now. But I did want to make a tinny cabled sweater…

After three or four deformed whales and one grossly oversized waterspout I finally have a whale I love.

This guy will be for sale at Plush You, October 10th in Seattle.

I have been working hard the last few weeks trying to get everything ready for this year’s Plush You Show. As soon as I finish touching up the photos I will post three new toys.

The weather is nice and pollen has died down some and I can knit without fear of sneezing or turning my yarn yellow. So outdoor knitting is a must right now. A park near my work, overpriced coffee, a good audiobook and a fun project make for a great lunch, even if I am making hats that are completely inappropriate for the impending summer heat.