Strategic Holes

Continuing on my crusade to finish all of my holiday gifts before the marked date, I’m all but pulling out my hair just trying to think of things that my family would actually like to receive. My specialty at this point is probably stuffed animals, but I don’t know that it would be so appropriate for most. While I love them all dearly, I will admit that they do take up a bit of space without doing anything functional… But really, who needs function when you have cute?

I suppose that a good all-purpose gift for the more “mature” (ha) recipients is usually a hat of some sort. It’s a good thing that there are so many different and creative patterns out there, because I would surely be in tears by the time I finished off my list. This is one that I was drawn to many months ago, but couldn’t think of a practical reason to make it, since I rarely ever wear hats, even though I already have a number that I’ve knit for myself.

By now you could probably guess my yarn of choice… Oh come on, this isn’t hard! Caron’s Simply Soft Tweed in black. How funny is it, the way I used to detest this label and now with their new fiber… But it’s still wonderfully cheap, so I’m not complaining in the least.

The pattern is from Marnie McLean, who has an incredible talent for creating Lacy, stylish, and downright impressive works of yarn. I wish there would be new patterns available every now and then, but you can still read about her knitting [and other] exploits through her blog, also linked to the pattern page.

This hat will now get stowed away with the rest of my holiday surprises, hidden from all until a certain aunt of mine unwraps it. I’m so excited for winter this year, I keep waking up and half wishing for snow to be falling already!