Impressing the future in-laws

I know it seems like that's what I'm doing. I knit up this hat and scarf for L.'s niece. But actually, when I saw this yarn in the store, I just thought of knitting something similar for the two most important babies in our lives..my niece and L.'s niece. Then I found out that my niece is going to be in Mumbai during the winter, where there is hardly any need for such warm clothes, so dropped the idea. I did of course go ahead with my plan to knit something for P. to protect her against Jaipur's harsh winter.





I used one skein of Red Heart Baby Clouds yarn and US size 11 needles for this. The best part about this yarn is that it's machine washable. Hopefully this would make life easier for L.'s sister-in-law. It also does look cute, however, I'm not entirely thrilled by the feel of the yarn. I think next time I'm going to try to get a yarn that feels really soft to touch. The pattern is extremely simple garter stitch. I did the hat first (I'm not entirely sure if it will fit her) and then did the scarf with the remaining yarn.

I'm still wondering what to do with the other skein that I bought.

Knitting in the middle of the night

When my brother told me that he was going to be a dad, I was working in my lab, late at night and didn't know what to do with my happiness. I happened to have some cotton yarn and knitting needles, and so I did the obvious. Knit up a hat at 3.00 a.m. Here's the pattern (From the web) and the finished hat.


Instructions:
Using 3.25mm needles, cast on 57 sts.
Rows 1 and 3: K1, *P1, K1, rep. from * across.
Rows 2 and 4: P1, *K1, P1. Rep. from * across.

Change to 4mm needles and knit across next row, inc 3 sts evenly spaced.....60 sts.
Next row: Purl.
Eyelet row (RS): K1, *K2tog, yarn forward (under needle). Rep from * across, ending with K1.
Beginning with a purl row, work in st st until 8cm (3.25") from beginning, dec 4 sts evenly spaced across last WS row....56 sts.

Shape Top:
Row 1 (RS): *K5, K2tog. Rep from * across.....48 sts.
Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl.
Row 3: *K4, K2tog. Rep from * across.....40 sts.
Row 5: *K3, K2tog. Rep from * across.....32 sts.
Row 7: *K2, K2tog. Rep from * across.....24 sts.
Row 9: *K1, K2tog. Rep from * across.....16 sts.
Row 11: K2tog across row.....8 sts.
Row 12: Purl.

Cut yarn, leaving enough length to thread through remaining sts., draw up securely to close.
Sew back seam.
Thread ribbon through eyelet row, tying a bow in centre front