I know I’m a big baby, and many of you who are reading this live in harsher climates than I do, but CRIMINNY! it’s cold. Plus, I forgot to take my scarf while I was out and about yesterday. That made me grumpy.

I think I’ve figured out the decrease problem on my white hat. It looks really good. I started out with 96 stitches, and now I have 60. Things may get tricker once I get to the very end. I’m making this one up as I go. That’s a really bad habit I have, because then people want to know how I made it, and I don’t know what to tell them. I tried to write this one down, but once I got to the decreases, I realized I’d have to do a stitch by stitch, row by row description, and I didn’t have the patience. So I took rough notes, and if need be, I’ll write it all out while knitting another one. Maybe. Or I’ll just move on.

Guess what? Olivia has decided (probably because it is FREAKING COLD here right now) that her poncho no longer cuts it, and she wants a coat. She’s been using that poncho as her means of warmth for almost a year and a half. Now, a sensible woman would hunt around for a good sale and be done. I of course am NOT sensible, and would never claim it, so I am thinking foolish thoughts. Like, maybe making a coat. As I was talking to Nate about it yesterday afternoon, he suggested felting one, and then my thoughts were drawn, once again to that gorgeous Donegal Tweed. I called the LYS, and they still have four skeins of it in pink (shade 818), that they are now holding for me. I was thinking about trimming it in some of the dark charcoal that I have, if Gayle approves (considering it is still her yarn), and I am both excited and annoyed. I hate making up felted patterns. You’d never know, since this will be my fourth in 8 months, but I hate it. It stresses me out.

I want this coat to have a hood, if I have enough yarn, and some design features to keep it interesting. Anyone out there know of a pretty felted coat pattern for a five year old girl? Heck, anyone know of a pretty felted coat pattern for a five year old girl made from Donegal Tweed? No? Well, it was worth a shot. Maybe I’ll Google.

And, for those of you who are curious, click the link for pictures of my new tank and its occupant, my cute little Ilsa.

I spent the entire day yesterday cleaning my bedroom. The whole day. Then, because we were having company for dinner, I went out and cleaned the kitchen and dining room, and vacuumed. (I was amazed to note how much cleaner the front of the house stays now that the girls are back in school). Then we had dinner, visited with family unexpectedly, and by late evening, I was able to sit. On the plus side, my bedroom looks better than it has in as long as I can remember. Oh, and I never told you about my anniversary present… Nate bought me another fish tank. It has replaced my bedside table. Fortunately, the stand has shelves flanking the center storage door, so I can keep some bedside stuff there, but I have a really pretty bow front tank in my room, which contributes to the room looking better. And now it’s clean (the room) and looks lovely. The best part is that I can walk around without stubbing a toe. It seems like all the crap that needs attention, or has no other place to go, ends up in our bedroom.

So once I was able to sit, I frogged the stupid hat down to the beginning of the decreases so I can re-work them.

And I have pictures of Pete’s bag for you. Here’s the gorgeous dark charcoal Donegal Tweed that I’m in love with…

Here’s the bottom strip to Pete’s bag. It’s finished, so now I have to go around and pick up stitches to start working the sides.

Here’s the felted swatch.

I know that you have no idea, from this little picture, how delectable this is. It is soooooo soft, and beautiful. I love the depth of color it has. I guess this is just the first tweed I’ve felted, but I’m very happy with it. I’m surprised at how itchy it is before felting, and how snugly soft it is afterwards. I also really like the flecky bits, which Nate says looks like lint that needs to be plucked off, but what does he know? I think I finally found something that can be both masculine AND interesting for poor Peter, who has been waiting for this bag for 5 months now.