Hat streak continues

This time I was asked to knit a hat for someone who "never looks good in hats" (which, by the way, is not true). The yarn was picked - chunky, with a bit of mohair, so it would seem more puffy. All I had to do is work on the design. So I came up with something that's far from plain: garter, nupps and cables. Four hours later I had this:

Not bad, I think:)
Oh, and when I say four hours I mean knitting & thinking:) It is a very quick knit - 44 rows of 78/84 stitches. I'm not really used to working with chunky yarn, so this one was a particular fun to knit.

Now I just have to wait to see, if that's the "hat I actually look good in":)

I just have to add, that I finished it late at night and wanted it ready in the morning, so the blocking process was a bit speedy. I'm far for professional there - I use a salad bowl which has a perfect shape and perfect size. But whatever works, right?:)

UPDATE: the hat has just been tried on. Reaction: "It's great, I love it! And I look good in it!" Mission accomplished:)

The shoemaker walks barefoot no more;)

Well, not exactly a shoemaker and barefoot, but a knitter and bareheaded:) I finally managed to finish something for myself - and I really needed it. It's no fun walking around with freezing head. So there it is:)

The pattern: Nantes Hat by Amanda Scheuzger (published in Interweave Knits, Winter 2011) slightly modified at the crown.
Yarn: 1.16 skein of Garnstudio DROPS Karisma Superwash.
Needles: 3.75 (US 5) and 4.5 (US 7)
The result:

bottom photo before blocking (and this yarn blocks really well)

Can I just say: I love my new hat!:D

So I'm a designer now:)

Well, technically I have been a designer since I designed my first... I think it was a jacket for my doll:)

But now it gets serious. I have just opened a new shop at Etsy - this one will sell my patterns, so if you are interested (and I hope you are) have a look at http://www.etsy.com/shop/KnitInstructor
There are only two patterns so far, but I'm working on some new ones, and I will add them as soon as I deal with them:)
And the patterns available now are:

Bajka

BTW, there is a new shawl knitted from this pattern at my other Etsy store: I'm not happy with the photos (bad light and I can't show this wonderfully delicate color, not to mention the structure). But I'm very happy with the shawl itself.

and the other pattern is:
Queen of the Forest (this has two versions of the shawl!)

Both are triangular lace shawls, both patterns come with charts, written instructions and reference photos.

And both are also available via Ravelry - you can get them (plus a couple of free patterns) HERE.

Bribing Santa:)

I've been a good girl this year, but I thought it won't hurt if I try to bribe Santa to give me all the best gifts in the world:) So I knitted another red shawl - a very simple one, probably not for covering your shoulders when you sit by the fireplace, but rather for wrapping around your neck to stay warm when you go for a walk on Christmas. It's plain knitting with ruffled edges. Simple, but fun, I think.

(Well, the truth is, this is what happens when you have holiday yarn and no willpower to go for something lacy;)).

The shawl measures 145x65 cm. It's very light (about 50 grams), very bright and a bit shimmering. It's mostly mohair, but it's very delicate. It will be fun to wear on Christmas:)

The shawl is available here: Santa's helper shawl at Etsy