Must Resist Hat

Must stay focused on stealth sock!
Yesterday morning Hubby said the car said it was 41 degrees Fahrenheit. This morning my car said it was 39 degrees. Now, we're pretty sure the cars exaggerate on a regular basis, but when I was standing on the platform waiting for the train I could believe it. And I thought to myself, "I want a new hat."
I have made myself two hats, which I usually rotate. I made them both when we were living in New Hampshire.

Hats Off To Me
First there is my fuzzy green hat. It is crocheted out of Lion Brand Chenille Thick and Quick in the forest green color. I believe it is a modified version of the hat that was on the ball band.
I ended up with this yarn in this color because one year my mom wanted a fuzzy green scarf for Christmas. This was before I became a yarn snob. (Not that there is anything wrong with Lion Brand, but I think I would consider more choices now.)
I had a skein leftover, which was enough for the hat. It's
warm and I usually get lots of compliments when I wear it.
But since I made it in 2001 or 2002 it is starting to get a bit floppy and stretched out.
I tried to get a picture of me wearing it, but Baru kept attacking me and Hubby was watching the debate. So I stuck it on a cantaloupe.


The other hat is what I call my elf hat. I like to wear it when I'm feeling whimsical. It is knit out of Lion Brand Chenille Thick and Quick, Jiffy Thick and Quick, and a third yarn I can't remember because I'm at work and the information is at home. This was also a free Lion Brand pattern. It is actually part of a set which includes a scarf, mittens, and bag. I think it was called the Zig Zag Set.
I never made any of the other pieces. I don't think knit mittens would keep my hands warm enough, the bag was vaguely interesting, and I have plenty of scarfs. Add to that the Chenille is even worse to knit with than it is to crochet with and it just wasn't going to happen. I don't think I actually got gauge on this project, at least not on the brim.
Another impediment to achieving gauge was that I was a fairly new knitter and the size US11 needles I was using were either from my mother-in-law or a yard sale, so they are long, plastic straights. ack.
Baru continued to involve himself in my activities with the camera and hats. Or maybe he just wants the cantaloupe. He likes cantaloupe. But then Baru like most everything you can eat. (This picture is actually a better representation of the color of the Lamb's Pride than the solo shot.)

Hat I'd Like to Know Better
The hat I'm resisting casting on for is Coronet from the Winter 2003 issue of Knitty.

Now back during my glorious month working at Patternworks I picked up the yarn to make this hat. It was going to be my first cable project (I skipped ahead and make that Karabella scarf #KK239 [that link should take you to the pattern page on Karabella, don't know if it will stick/work] instead for Hubby).
Don't know why I've been slacking, other yarn and patterns caught my eye. I already had hats. I learned how to cable.
But now. Now my ears are cold and I'm thinking it's time to finally cast on four plus years later.
But I have to finish this sock pattern first!
(This also is proof that a yarn diet can be good for me on many levels.)

Gratuitous Baru Picture
Hubby postulated that the reason Baru (and Samson, truth be told) kept bothering me is because they wanted me to take their pictures. He thinks they've already become accustomed to the camera and that if I have it out I will be trying to corner them.
If he's right, then they could make all our lives easier by standing still when I aim it at them!
(His tongue isn't orange. He has a squeeky basketball in his mouth.)