Local Buys

So I am one of those people who tends to just buy anything I can online. I just do. That is generally the rule for yarn as well. But. I do love to check out my local shop every now and again, and when I go on vacation, finding a local yarn store is always on my "To Do" list.

My husband and I took a mini-getaway to Dallas at the start of the month and (in addition to visiting three comic book stores) he was kind enough to indulge me in checking out one of Dallas' fine local yarn stores.

I visited The Shabby Sheep and it was a nice little shop. I picked up a couple of things while I was there, even though I really don't need any more yarn.

Classic Elite Yarns Liberty Wool

Jojoland Fantasia

The first I envision becoming a pair of socks (probably for my daughter, though maybe I can get a pair of ankle socks for myself out of that).

The second, I couldn't resist. With college football starting up, I was drawn to the Illini colors (it is my very first home team, seeing as I was born a stone's throw from the University of Illinois). As I was petting this yarn I had all kinds of happy flashbacks to my very early childhood. These will make a lovely hat and some fingerless gloves, methinks.

So while I do generally prefer to buy my yarn online, there is something to be said for the adventure of visiting the local yarn store every once in a while. Or checking a new one out, as the case may be. You never know what kind of treasure you'll find there!

More Diversions

Man, I swear that the blanket I am working on is progressing. I am actually hoping to get it finished up this week. I just keep getting distracted by quick little projects. This time, it was at the request of a friend. She has a (kickass) photography studio* and asked if I could make a newborn sized hat for an upcoming session.

Armed with a picture of a hat that she liked, and that I thought I could replicate (or at least get pretty darn close) and a description of the type of yarn she wanted it to be made out of, I went shopping and then got to work.

Here's how it turned out:

Baby Bear Hat by Cori 2012.

Baby Bear Hat will be modeled today by creepy naked baby doll.

Added feature: removable flower. Unisex hat for the win!

Yarn: JoAnn Fabrics' Sensations Sumptuous in Sumptuous Brown (one skein) and Classic Elite Sprout in Yellow (one ball)
Hooks: US P (hat) and US H (flower)

Very quick work up here. I just made a basic beanie (switching from single crochet to double once I was done increasing and then finishing the last row with single crochet) and added ear flaps and ears. I sewed a button on to the back of the flower so that it can just be slipped on the hat by sticking the button through the stitches. All in all it was a fun little project and my friend seemed very happy with it, so I call that a win.

Now, time to get back to that blanket. Here's a sneak peek for you just to prove it does actually exist:

I don't even drink coffee but this colorway is kind of giving me a craving.

*If you are in the DFW area and need a photographer, seriously go check her out. She is fantastic!