I couldn't just leave that beautiful fair isle hat unwearable. So I bit the carefully stitched bullet and pulled apart the crown decreases.

Angry with myself, I added 8 straight rows before beginning the decreases, where I slipped in a couple of even rows for good luck. Et voila - a perfectly wearable hat. While I had the camera out, I also snapped The Boy in this fetching number. It's a quick homespun experiment from a little while ago - the spinning wasn't my doing but the hat is kinda cute.

Which brings me to another problem - my model. He is kinda handsome - hell, that's why I keep him handy! - but whenever he steps in to model one of my knitted creations and I post about it over on the knitting community of Livejournal, more people comment on his dimples than actually notice my lovely stitchery. Grrr!

I'll give him his moment of glory. For now. I was painfully proud as I watched him practice his first Fair Isle at SnB last week...

No, not the boyfriend. Just the immensely shallow hat on his head.

Pattern: Swell by Kimmie Kemper from Summer 2006 Knitty, size L

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora in eggshell blue (1) and khaki green (2) (ball bands have escaped)

Needles: Denise interchangeables US size 5 17" circ and Addi size 5 double points

Time taken: Only a few hours, but spread over several days

After completing the Fair Isle, I was satisfied with the length of the hat so far. However, I didn't read forward far enough to appreciate the sharp decreases for the crown.... consequently I ended up with a very shallow hat. A very vicious wet-blocking afforded me about another inch, but certainly not enough to recover this ridiculous looking hat.

I refuse to dismantle it, as it did successfully teach me fair isle with minimal tears, but I might have to remake it, giving myself an extra 6-8 rows of straight knitting after the pattern to allow it to ACTUALLY cover human ears.

And yes, I am peeved I messed it up. But it does me good to mess up, right?

It's either me or a rabbit in headlights!

Body complete and the hood is well on the way. I am so pleased that it fits - I was suspicious the the Medium would be miles too small but it actually fits babout right. The hood is a doozie - I can only work a few rows at a time before getting exhausted. But the end is nigh...

Naff picture though it may be, the cabling looks even better curved to a female form.... however, this pic is a reminder of just how many ends I have left to weave in...

Enough to have already knitted some earflaps for Swell as a start to my Christmas knitting!

I think this must be my favourite issue yet as the focus is on accessories... I dunno about you guys but I am usually way too impoverished to have enough wool for an entire sweater just waiting in my stash. However, I do tend to buy things in quantites of one of two balls, ideal for accessories. I don't think I can pick a favourite until I have had a chance to knit a few more things!

There's some high-class sock porn there, as well as some gorgeous ideas for jewelery.

I was made redundant on Monday and while I search for a new job (anyone need a sassy, reliable journalist with yarn stash sharing abilities?), I promise to get plenty off my needles. And for my friends and family, expect a very woolly Christmas :)