FO - Hermione's Cable Eyelet Hat (AKA My Half Blood Prince Hat)

Either way, this hat is a copy of the hat that Hermione wore in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

This hat has been knitted out of a mohair, wool blend I purchased from Bendigo Woollen Mills. It is the leftovers from the Que Sera cardigan I knit for my mum. And there is still plenty left. So what must a girl do???? Make matching mitts! As you can see below, there is a close up of the hat..... 

And I must admit I love it! It is very warm, super soft and such a pretty purple. I'm not really a hat wearing person, so it is taking a bit to get used to. But I need it for work, being outside all day with it being so cold just screams for knit wear....... and the more the merrier!

I really enjoyed this pattern, however I would make a few modifications for next time. Pretty much the only problem is the length, for me it came out a bit long, so next time I will do about 4 less rows of ribbing and also do a cable twist at the very beginning. I don't like how the pattern seems to start so high on the hat.

But overall a fabulous pattern, simple and easy to follow, yet the finished producst looks fabulous and fit wonderfully. And nothing beats the combination of eyelets and cables for interest!

Last Minute Christmas Knitting

It came to my realisation that I have knit a cardigan for my mum, a sweater vest for my father-in-law, and a shawl for my mother-in-law. So who's missing? Dad! I felt terrible and since it is now less than a week til Christmas I think I'd better get moving. So I decided upon a cabled beanie and matching fingerless mitts. Although it is the wrong season, I hope he will find them beneficial in winter, especially when he takes the dog for a walk.

On another note I have been looking at knit toy patterns, and I am very fussy about the ones I like. I don't like the ones that look like a 5 minute knit sewn up and called a toy. I like the toys that look like animals, have many design techniques involved and that look really really cute. Although both my kids are past the soft toy stage, I am thinking about making some for the Christmas Tree Donations at the department stores next Christmas. That way I get to experience the fun of making these toys and know that they will be going to less fortunate kids.