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!

Small but mighty group!

Everyone looks so serious as we discussed the aftermath of storms in the south and another Hurricane Milton bearing down soon. A local nursery business, Seven Zocks, is pairing up with a nearby restaurant, Romo's Pizza, to collect items to fill a rented truck 

and drive it down to the survivors of Hurricane Helene. 

We each will be shopping for necessities to donate along with our prayers for those affected.

Nancy completed a lovely scarf with matching beanie called A Cabling We Will Go.

                                          

She also completed this the Grace Gardens Cap which is a purchased pattern on Ravelry.

Dorah finished a hat using a brightly colored variegated yarn that makes the cap look like a Helix Hat.

Her current project is a Helix Hat which before she went home...

she completed the knitting and wove in all the ends.

She immediately cast on for another cap using two complimentary skeins of yarn to bust through her stash more quickly. She learned a trick for making sure the stitches don't get twisted when knitting that first round of a circular project. Just knit the first row flat and join on the second round, using the tail end of the yarn to sew up the little space that's created when switching from flat knitting to in-the-round.

My needles are working with the Willow Oak Toque, another purchased pattern on Ravelry. I was fortunate to have found this pattern on opening day when it was offered for free for a limited time. The pattern offers three different options for knitting the cuff, extra long and folded, single brim, or provisional cast on with stitches knitted together with the live stitches to mimic the Italian tubular cast on. I chose the tubular which was fiddly but it makes a nice warm fabric for over the ears.

Barbara K completed one Upward Bound Beanie and has started a second one. 

The fuschia yarn is a stunning color! The stitch definition on Barbara's knitting is perfect for highlighting the design of the hat.

Jan started the Reverb Shawl after admiring the one Nancy made for herself. This is a good social knitting and TV knitting project which allows the knitter to participate in conversation without making mistakes.

This is Nancy's River Rush Slouch, another freebie on Ravelry. The denim color makes this a good gender neutral hat.

Maureen is making slow but steady progress on her Sunnyside Cardigan, a gift for a friend. The free pattern offers two options for the details on the buttonbands and along the raglan shoulder line.

Well, I need to put dinner in the oven soon and the prep takes time so

 I'll wish you a great week and keep those needles clicking!