Well, there were some good guesses–and entertaining ones, too–but nobody guessed exactly what my secret, green, beaded project was. Not quite. Though the people who guessed hats were close.

Because it IS a hat, but a very special, limited-engagement kind of hat.

It’s a Christmas Tree hat. But you’ll have to wait to see pictures. I’m thinking about submitting the pattern to Knitty, so….

I knitted a star for the top tonight (thanks to Nicky Epstein’s “Knitting over the Edge” which apparently came just in time), and my cute little seasonal hat is done. I can’t tell you how happy I am with the way it came out! Branches with bead-ornaments.

Thanks, also to another knitting Deb for her tutorial on knitting with beads by slipping each bead onto the stitches as you need them, without having to string them onto the yarn before you ever begin. That’s sheer brilliance! (And, how lucky was I to have teeny tiny crochet hooks from my grandmother, who used to crochet lace edgings for handkerchiefs?)

I won’t show you the actual hat, but here’s a picture of the original inspiration–a polar fleece hat I saw on the TV show Roswell several years ago–not a great show, but I loved this hat. At first I thought it was knitted, but on closer examination of the few screen shots I could find–it’s polar fleece. But I liked it–it was just playful enough without being ridiculous. Anyway, I like mine better.

May I just say I love the pivoting LCD screen on my new camera? I can point it at myself and have an idea what the picture’s going to look like before I snap the shot–much less guess work!

Now, as to the wedding. I count it as 5 “no”, 3 “maybe” and 8 “yes.” And even if I miscounted one or two, I think ultimately it comes out to what I thought in the first place–it doesn’t hurt to bring it along and see how things go. I might have a wonderful time and never consider the knitting; I might be bored silly but think it too inappropriate and leave it in my purse; I might be relaxed enough to simply knit while chatting at the table. Who knows? I’m not a rude person and wouldn’t deliberately do anything to offend anyone there. And, it’s not like I’m planning on bringing a book. You can knit and be sociable, but reading is just rude (grin). And besides–the project I’ll bring is a lacy little scarf in my handspun singles that actually coordinate with my dress, shawl, purse, and shoes. Talk about subtle!

May I just add that, this is one of the first times ever that I can think of that I’m looking forward to a chance to get dressed up not because of the actual dress, but because of the accessories?? I can’t wait to wear my Peacock shawl, with its wonderfully matching shoes, and that sweet new purse . . . the blue dress underneath is almost an afterthought. (Almost because again, I don’t plan on being rude, and showing up without one . . . well . . . let’s just say it’s not the kind of impression I want to make.) Anyway, I can’t wait.

As to my gas tank door–apparently the hinge is actually broken, which means the folks at the Getty station did, in fact break my door. It didn’t just come off. It’s broken. (The idiots!) And yet, they say it’s not their fault? Hmmmm! Frank over at D&M repairs ordered me a new hinge, which should be in tomorrow–only a $16 part, but sheesh. It’s the principle of the thing!

Now, as if all this wasn’t fascinating enough, I have two sites to give you for your viewing pleasure.

Check out this site, of Julian Beever, who does the most amazing 3-D chalk pictures on sidewalks. Really incredible.

Finally, for your amusement: Virtual Bubblewrap. Who wouldn’t love the joy of popping those bubbles online? And the pages of tips, instructions, and bubble wrap etiquette are pretty funny.

Tags: General, Knitting/Spinning // 8 Comments »