The Snowbirds have flown the coop

Our gatherings will be a bit smaller these next few weeks as some of the Chicks have flown the coop for warmer weather...although some of the places to which they have flown are not as warm as they had hoped they would be.

 We finished our quick project of chemo caps for my neighbor who was ever so grateful for the lovely fibers and colors of the collection. Between my Chicks and my Delaware Avenue Stitch Angels, we collected 15 hats for the NYOH in Albany.

Dorah finished a Helix Hat to add to the collection for the Falcon Boutique. We are taking the time from now until August to gather a sizeable collection for the store at the Albany High School.

Some of the Chicks wore their own handmade woolies today. Barbara B's cowl perfectly coordinates with her sweater.

She wore her Melt Ice hat to which she added her own personal touch to display the colors of Rutgers University, her husband's alma mater.

Tina wore her Grid Gambit cowl that's knitted with Whole Knit n' Caboodle yarns.

And Dorah wore her Heavy Metal shawl with the beautiful gradient colors.

Over the weekend with the sudden craze of Melt the Ice Hats being knitted, I wrote up a pattern for a mini version which can be worn on a lapel or purse strap. If you would like the pattern, it's here on my Ravelry page.

Tina finished her Grace Gardens Cap and the yarn choice is perfect for highlighting the cables.

I started another Melt the Ice Cap using my own pattern. I envisioned it with an Italian tubular cast on but it took 12 tries, waaaay past the number of chances I usually give a project, to get the cast on right. On a sleepless night (which happen way more often than I like) I came across a YouTube tutorial that explained what I was trying to accomplish. So it finally looks like what I had dreamed.

Dorah had two sock weight yarns left from a previous project and used them together to make another lovely hat.

She is making a Melt Ice Hat at the same time.

And Barbara K started a mini version to wear on her coat. She completed it before we left for the day.

Barbara B added more length to her Photographer Hat for the boutique.

Tina's honeycomb scarf is growing slowly but steadily. 

I said last week when I started the Crosscut Beanie that I would probably have it finished this week. Well, as you can see, it's nowhere near complete! 

It is one of those patterns that requires full attention so not good social knitting and I was just in need of mindless knitting this past week so it was put aside for a bit.

Our energy boost supplied by the amazing baker Barbara B was sourdough chocolate chip muffins. She uses Ghirardelli or Nestle chocolate chips, whichever are available at the time. And they are rich and delicious! We're so glad she enjoys baking!!!

I have to run an errand so I'll finish off here. Have a great week and keep those needles clicking!

We all made hats!

 The frigid temps kept a few of the Chicks at home but they said they would knit and think of us. I don't blame them for not wanting to expose themselves to the cold. We reached a high of 16 degrees and it feels like 11 degrees! 

I'll start today with some FOs. I made a quick project for myself using a strand of merino wool and a strand of mohair to knit the Sophie Scarf. It was a test to see if I like the two yarns together and I do! So I'll make another for donation.

Margaret completed those convertible fingerless mitts which she thought would run out of yarn before they were finished but as you can see, she had more than enough and even has some scraps left over.

Tina added a chemo cap in a very soft gray.

I finished a Norwegian Gnome hat. It was based on a traditional pattern which I modified to make a folded brim. I used Plymouth Encore in worsted weight with a size 7 needle.

Barbara B made one also using a cloud soft sock weight that has a little sparkle to it.

She also finished a Ribbons of Hope chemo cap.

 

Now for the WIPs. I've started the Crosscut Beanie by Benjamin Matthews. As soon as I saw he was the designer, I grabbed the pattern. It doesn't look like much yet so stay tuned for next week when I hope to have it finished.

Nancy used a pretty pink bamboo yarn to make a chemo cap called...

Truffle. It has an easy pretend cable stitch that makes up the delicate lacy look. And it's a freebie on Ravelry.

Maureen's hat is called Odessa. It calls for bead work but she has opted to leave out the beads to make it more comfortable to wear. 

Tina started the Grace Gardens Cap designed by Shelby Nichols, another talented hat designer.

Tina chose this softly marled yarn in hopes the cables will show up nicely.

Barbara B is also at the very beginning of her Photographer Hat. It's a cute slouchy hat that is non gender specific. It takes less than 200 yards of worsted weight yarn and is a good mindless project for tv knitting.

She brought BROOKIES!!! These combo cookie/brownies were chocolaty delicious! 

{{{{Shhh...Don't tell anyone but I had two!!!}}}}

I almost forgot to show you the adorable vehicles blanket Maureen made for a baby gift. She said it needed a thorough blocking to highlight the design. Great job Maureen!

Now I need to get back to my knitting so stay warm and keep those needles clicking!

Keeping warm on a frigid day

In spite of the 15 degrees/feels like 5 degrees, these hale and hardy women showed up ready to get those needles clicking! I received a request from a friend for chemo caps so we put our current projects aside to whip up a few for immediate distribution.

Barbara B used a bamboo and merino blend yarn for this very soft Fresco Simply Slouchy hat. The fabric is good for sensitive scalps that are easily irritated.

There was enough yarn to make the Race for Life 2011 hat too.

Then she knitted the Running in Circles hat with the pretty wave motif.

Margaret used a cotton and bamboo blend fiber to knit the Blustery Beanie. Margaret is our Queen of the Bulky Knits so this pattern was right up her alley. 

The free pattern includes sizes from infant to adult.

Tina made a chemo cap called Bobcat Beanie but when I looked it up, a different pattern popped up so I don't have a link for it. I think she used a cotton and bamboo blend for extra softness.

I found some baby alpaca in my stash which was just enough to knit the Ribbons of Hope. The offset cables are easy to knit and it actually took only three days to knit.

Barbara B is also making the same hat.

I'm back to my regular projects and working on a twisted headband pattern that I found on YouTube. The original pattern called for DK weight yarn but I had this soft merino in fingering weight calling my name so I took size 2 needles and magic loop technique to add to the inventory. The blue yarn on the left is the provisional cast on so that the ends can be grafted together for a seamless headband.

Dorah's Sophie Scarf is almost finished. The yarn which was giving her second thoughts on the previous project looks great for this scarf!

Nancy said she is really enjoying her Moss Hill Beanie. Those Benjamin Matthews patterns are so well designed and written that it is a pleasure to make them.

Maureen's baby blanket that she's knitting for a gift is at a point where you can see the trucks emerging from the stitches.

Tina started another chemo cap but do you think I remembered to get the name of the pattern?!?!

Nor did I get the name of Barbara K's hat either! But both are very soft fibers.

Margaret, The Queen of Bulky Knits, finished a hat and...

added a pompom. She wasn't sure if she would like a big pompom but once we put the hat on the head form, the pompom was a perfect addition!

Our sourdough treat from Barbara B today was peanut butter cookies. It amazes me how versatile sourdough starter and discards are in a variety of recipes! And so far, they're all good!!!

It's going to be a three dog night so bundle up, add another log to the fire and 

keep those needles clicking!