Cabled Earwarmer Headband

So, the Cascade Yarns website has a TON of free patterns. That's where I found this one: Up to My Ears in Cables. I used Cascade Yarns Eco Duo (70% undyed baby Alpaca and 30% undyed merino). It's as soft as anything and lovely to work with. A really soft, subtle natural stripe emerged as I was knitting, which accents the pretty cable really well. Joined it with the three needle cast-off for a really pretty, nearly undetectable seam.

Happy warming, happy knitting!

Lacework Headband

I used up some left over yarn from another project to whip up this headband/ear warmer. I am terrible at making knit patterns and since you may want yours wider, smaller or bigger - I'll just give you the general stitch pattern so knitters can customize! I used size 8 needles, casting on 13 stitches, and Lion brand Wool-Ease yarn for this gauge. After casting on, Row 1 is K1 *yarn forward, K2 together; repeat from * to end. Rows 2, 3, and 4 are K to end. These 4 rows are repeated until desired length, cast off, and then ends are sewn/weaved together. I am excited about this machine washable yarn because I wear the headband running in the cold February weather! It keeps all my hair out of my face and my ears toasty.

FairIsle Snowflake Earwarmer Headband

Well, I've been wanting to make a knitted earwarmer for a bit now, and since Jessica already got one for her birthday, I just went ahead and made one for myself. I've never used this method before and have been a little intimidated by it--following charts, keeping track... it all seemed so meticulous.

I found this pattern on Leandra George's website and it was so easy to follow. I softened the colors up using a lovely caramel base and a pale teal snowflake, using some homespun 100% wool yarn given to me by a friend. I love working with homespun yarn--the variations in texture and thickness make it so authentic. And the feel was wonderful; each time I worked it I could feel the lanolin on my hands.

I used my bamboo #5 US needles and it came out just a touch too big (I am *always* too lazy to knit a swatch first to check guage--that's what I get for it). I shrunk it a bit in the washer though, and now it's perfect.

It came in very handy today, as our first snowfall of the year started last night, having us up early for a long, long snow walk. Though I was covered in snow and got pretty wet, my ears stayed toasty throughout.