My first hat

I finished my entrelac hat a while ago . I didn't post it because I was waiting to finish a pair of matching gloves. However, my first try was not successful, the thumb turned out to be huge compared to the other fingers that ended up being very skinny. I didn't enjoy knitting with the tiny needles. Now, it's going to be a lonely hat as I decided to buy a pair of thin gloves instead. My single glove will go to the "frog pond collection" .

Pattern: Let's knit series winter 2004
Yarn : Diadomina from Diakeito ( Japan) 50% wool, 21% mohair and 29% acrylic. color DD312, used about 1 1/2 balls
Needles: Japanese size 7

Love the colors on this hat, don't you? There is a vast array of colors for this yarn that makes so difficult to select one. With this project, I enjoyed knitting entrelac but how I wish I could memorize the steps. I am knitting another identical hat for my mother and still find forgetful in some areas. I am not a hat person as they give me a bad hair look even after wearing for a short time. But this hat will be handy as I am going on vacation to Hokkaido beginning of next month. We have a late winter vacation as the schools here set their breaks to match with the Chinese New Year.

With the white snow scenes in my mind, I just have to have a new sweater to take along. For a while, I have being eyeing on a sweater that the LYS teacher came out with a pattern. I have seen this design in many popular magazines and thought I could be able to knit by myself ( knowing of course, that there are millions of knits that I always dream about duplicating and that never happens!) . After getting the instructions from the teacher, I realized that it's more complex than I had first imagined. There are short rows ( in purls) on the long curved strip that is part of a yokeand for the body that is bell shaped, the decreases are done proportionally through out the body. So far, I only have the sleeves and part of the yoke done. It's taking long time since I need the teacher to provide the steps. The process is slow as there is no formal drawing charts to follow and I get confused with verbal knitting instructions. Above, is one sleeve and part of the yoke. By the way, I am using Chamonix from Jaeger, mix of Angora and extra fine merino wool in a purple gray color, it's not so bright as the photo show. Wonderful yarn to knit with, it's so soft and very light.

There are only two weeks left before our departure date and I still have to knit a hat and/0r scarf for DH. And yet, I am so greedy that I think I should have more than a new sweater for this trip.
Actually, this vest ( or sweater?) started because I run out of instructions to continue on the purple sweater. As you know, I couldn't be empty-hands for a couple of days ( teacher was away for a week), had to find something to knit. I had in mind to have a vest with an intricate cable work but alas, so eager I was that I did not plan it well . See how the cables ended ? I should have placed the braids more on the left so that the neckline decreases would not interfere with the cable work. I am using one of my HYX yarn in a double strand. The knitted yarn is very soft but I think that merino wool would be a better choice for cable works. The cables with the HYX yarn don't stand up as much. I am not so sure that I will continue this project but I am worried that I will not like to see the frogged yarn around either. By now, I think I should focus on my Chamonix sweater for the trip.

Thanks for your nice words on my son's sweater! He only got to wear once as we are having a very warm winter. I think he'll sure appreciate it once we arrive in Hokkaido! ;)