As a bug in a rug

I've finished my Head Snug! It was so quick -- just a few evenings of knitting. Isn't it funny? The pattern is from Patons book no. 118, "Winter Headwear by Beehive," which I posted about here.


The Fair Isle strip is worked back and forth, of all things, and my two-fisted stranded purling could definitely use some work, but the results are certainly acceptable. I love these colours together; yarn is Warani alpaca (two 50 g. balls of colour 409 and a small amount of colour 1530). (Sadly, Warani seems to have been discontinued, but it's quite similar to KnitPicks Andean Treasure.)


I'm finding it a little too snug under the chin, actually. I might try to figure out a way to add a bit more ribbing, or maybe I'll switch out the buttons for i-cord ties or something. You can see the buttons pulling there, especially the top one.


For the Fair Isle strip, you pick up stitches around the face and then work towards the face; in the pattern, once you finish with the CC you work a few more rows and then just bind off. I decided to knit a facing, so the back of the colourwork would be covered. It just looks neater.


Bill says that, from the back, it looks like I have a giant sock on my head. It sort of is like a giant sock, like turning a giant heel. I do think I'll wear this if it ever gets bitterly cold outside. (It's only -5 today; I'm talking about -25.) Alpaca is so light and soft and warm.

I am doing better with my reading, but I'm still transitioning into it. I only read a book and a half last week, but it's better than nothing. (Thanks for your encouraging comments on my last post. I really do appreciate it.) Blogging less is definitely helping, I'm sorry to say. What's not helping is Véronik's new pattern for Wallpaper Mittens, because I want to drop everything and make them right now. I hope January is going well for you. Back in a week or two!