Top 5: Thursday edition

Top five things that are making me happy today:

1. It's finally cold enough weather to wear hats!

2. Springpad: resource for life/wedding organization.

3. My heaty corn bag foot warmer.

4. The show Iconoclasts on the Sundance Channel. Seriously. Brilliant.

5. Limitless web resources covering Prince William and Kate Middleton's engagement.

Hats!

As I traveled to lovely NYC last weekend, I anticipated some cool fall weather (btw, I was right). At the last minute, I packed two favorite hats, my Odessa and a slouchy hat.

(this is the first version I knit as a gift, but I like the way L shows of the sweet swirl action)

The Odessa was a pattern published in the now-defunct MagKnits, by the delightful Grumperina. The pattern was well-written and really fun to knit with the traveling stitches. It called for a slightly above-budget Rowan cashmere-wool blend. But it only needs one ball so I gave in and I'm glad. It's soft and lovely. It's thin but warm.

(this is not me either, as far as I know this is the designer, SloMoeKnits)

The slouchy hat was knit on a whim, before I realized slouchy hats would be in style for the following 4 years... This was knit in a more budget-friendly yarn, to the tune of $3.00 and change. I actually think I like it more now than when I first knit it. It's a good go-to.

What I love most: each was knit sometime around 2007. And they still rock. Each is soft/stretchy enough to not pinch my ears with glasses on (am I the only one who has this happen?) And both were knit in neutral enough colors (dark teal, "mushroom") that they go with most anything. Hat win.

Squee!

I was away for the weekend while my mystery knitting blocked/dried. Imagine my surprise when what started like this:

ended up looking like this:

Here it is serving its intended purpose of holding my straight needles:Knitted ombre-style plastic tub cover thingy? Success.

So I might have a problem*

*Or, nobody understands the need for a big stash.

c/o Craft

I was out with my housemates last evening, discussing an upcoming soiree, when suddenly I was looked upon with utter disgust. Horror, even. I was told that they were in the basement and saw my yarn. I was confused until they explained that they didn't understand why I had so much yarn. Frankly, I didn't understand them not understanding...

Having a yarn stash is part of the fun of knitting. It's composed of my leftovers, my never-got-starteds, sale yarns and my had-to-haves. And at one bookshelf's worth, I thought my stash was pretty modest.

I don't collect shot glasses, or DVDs, or vintage wine. I collect yarn. And it makes me happy.

Woot.

This is my beautiful data from Monday. I'm very proud of it. If you're lucky, I'll tell you what it means.