Let the Knitting Begin

Holiday knitting has started off with a BANG! DD asked for a hat and matching fingerless mitts for Christmas. Because she's a bit on the picky side with hats, i showed her the top 20 hat patterns on Ravelry. She chose the Odessa, but wanted it with no beads so she can wear it under her riding helmet. She also went shopping in the yarn room when i was trying to do stash inventory and glommed on to the Nashua Woolly Stripes Tweed right away. The Odessa was a very quick and easy knit and the only modification I made was a different yarn weight (heavy worsted instead of DK) and made the hat 6 1/2" before starting the crown decreases (because we are a big-head family and like our hats to cover our ears). Same size needles, same # stitches at the caston. Loved the pattern! And the man was kind enough to model it for the blog photo...although he's incognito wearing the Hollywood shades lol! Seriously, a great, quick easy peasy knit hat pattern. It will be made again.



Here's a shot of the crown....so pretty the way it all swirls around ;0



To match, I'm using the other ball and a half for Fetching fingerless mitts....quick and easy...here's less than an hour of fast knitting action.....



Started my new job this week. I cannot tell you how much I love it. You'll just have to imagine me getting up cheerfully each morning, and coming home cheerfully each evening (or morning, depending on the call schedule) but knowing I won't get another call because I'm off...blessedly, totally, 100% OFF when I'm not clocked in...is just heaven. I feel like the weight of the world is off my shoulders....and my patients...oh my gosh...it's amazing when you're working with people who actually are trying to be healthy, and are cheerful about their pregnancies, and aren't chronically mentally or emotionally ill.......It seriously improves MY emotional health and well-being I must say! Thanks so much to everyone for your support and well wishes while I made this enormous change. All your positive energy and input helped both with the decision making and the transition. I hug you ALL!