Bespeed Your Holiday Knitting

File under: I don't know why I didn't think of this before...

My good buddy Ros over at Yarn Lust (who just posted some cute friends of mine over at her blog, by the way) suggested I could speed up knitting adult-sized Monster Hats by holding two yarns together. I've been using relatively fine-gauge yarns and size 1 through 4 needles, which is okay for small hats, but for big grown-up sized ones...um, not so much.


So I took her suggestion, and it was like mixing paints for the first time. This swatch photo is a variegated blue-green bamboo sock with two different shades of BFL--a bright blue/turquoise on the one end and a grey-hued one on the other. It's real pretty, right? In case you try this at home, a 2 x 2 rib (at left) worked just dandy, while a 1 x 1 rib (at right) looked all wonky.


So the beginning of the hat I've just begun is bamboo/blue BFL, blue BFL/donegal, then grey & green merino/grey BFL, grey BFL/grey-hued merino, which will now be most of the body of the hat. And instead of doing a M/L adult hat on size 3's at about 8-9 stitches per inch I'm using size 7's at about 5 stitches per inch--woohoo! And I think it looks just as beautiful. It's also producing a really thick, rich knit texture that I just love, not to mention the color blending.


Mildly curious, or wildly disinterested? Always hard to tell...

Mmmmmore Monsters

Otto, Monster Hat No. 9

Otto is a distant relation of Theseus, the Surprised Bunny Monster, only Otto is far less surprised. Unlike Theseus, Otto enjoys Easter Egg hunts and has been known to foster baby chicks on occasion.

Hank, Monster Hat No. 10

Hank is an Alien Monster, as should be obvious from the rather prominent single antenna on his head. Aluminum foil helmets may be worn in his presence to avoid having him read your thoughts.

Ramon, Monster Hat No. 11

Like his sister Clytemnestra, Ramon is a Kat Monster, though he objects to the diminutive term "Kitty." Unbeknownst to Cly (as he calls her), he often tries surreptitiously to return the various small items she steals.


Henrietta, Monster Hat No. 12

What can I say about Henrietta the TriClops? She loves to play Old Maid, but often loses because she starts giggling uncontrollably as soon as she gets the Old Maid.



Matilda, Monster Hat No. 13

Likely related to Clytemnestra and Ramon (above), Matilda is really good at Scrabble, Lawn Jarts, and making one mean cup of tea.


The Isis Monster--also possibly related to Clytemnestra, Ramon and Matilda (as we go to print this rumor is as yet unconfirmed)--looking as unimpressed as ever.

Mmmm...Monsters

I've been very busy making wee monster hats for the holidays. I can't resist giving you a sneak preview of what's been taking up so much of my time lately. Details of the exact yarns (most of which are from Yarn Lust) and sizes will be on Ravelry (I'm okitten there) soon, but for now, just a few pics of some of the spooky creatures will debut here. Custom orders available on etsy!

Clytemnestra, Monster Hat No. 2

Clytemnestra is a Monster Kat. She stalks tuna (in or out of the can), craves sashimi, and can't help but pocket sparkly things that catch her eye.

Franklin, Monster Hat No. 3

Franklin the Green-Horned Monster is quite possibly from Sasketchewan and enjoys ice fishing, curling, and riding on the back of the Zamboni at the hockey rink.

Sam (Samantha), Monster Hat No. 4

Sam is a Triclops Monster that avidly follows the financial markets so she has been a little depressed lately. She likes to sleep in the business section of your local paper, or wrapped snugly in the pages of the Wall Street Journal, if she can get it.

Clarence, Monster Hat No. 5

Clarence the Cyclops Monster is a bit myopic so he is very shy and prefers to stay at home working crossword puzzles, doing the jumble, and playing mah jongg solitaire on the computer.

Theseus, Monster Hat No. 6

Theseus the Surprised Bunny Monster has not recovered from some unspecified Easter trauma. I rather suspect it had to do with a basket of brightly coloured eggs and some stranger dressed up in a furry suit.

Othello, Monster Hat No. 7

Othello the Toothy Monster is always slightly baffled, but enjoys riddles, knock-knock jokes, and trivia about Hollywood celebrities.

Agnes, Monster Hat No. 8

Agnes is a Tri-Horn Monster. She is extrememly sensitive and may even have ESP.

Morgan-Monster is very curious about the other monsters in her house.

Isis-Monster remains unimpressed and prefers her mouse to monsters.