It's My Party And I'll Knit If I Want To

Back in mid-November, I turned thirty. I didn't really make a big deal about it. There was no massive party, I didn't wake up in tears that my twenties are now officially a thing of the past, I didn't go to Vegas (well, at least not in November I didn't)... I just turned thirty.

I woke up on the morning of my birthday, just like any other day, and came across an email from my mom which said "Why don't you take the day off work and just knit?"

Best. Birthday gift. EVER.

So, that's exactly what I did.

I conveniently had a project that had been sitting next to my knitting chair for a while that was just begging to be cast on. The needles, the yarn, the pattern, even the fur pompom. It was a project that required some focus and attention and since most of my knitting these days seems to be in the evening, I have a hard time branching out much beyond just plain old stocking stitch (more on that project later). In my old age, I have apparently become a morning person and I'll be darned...

So I got out my crochet hook, did my provisional cast on and tackled this brilliantly constructed toque, designed by the ever so talented Jared Flood. (SWOON!)

This hat looks like the perfect excuse to take up skiing

As it happens, this turned out to be the perfect project to ring in my new decade. I learned some new techniques (tubular cast on anyone?), I was able to exercise a technique that I already know and love (more cables please!) and it all resulted in a beautiful accessory to boot.

I will be the first to admit that I have been lazy with my knitting lately. I have been craving the simple things, and while I have no problems with continuing to do just that, this project was a nice reminder that it's ok to push myself. While I do love myself some stocking stitch... I am capable of so much more. All knitters are! And it's important to challenge ourselves from time to time, if even just a little.

 As for the pompom... it was a souvenir from our whirlwind trip to Switzerland last September. My sisters had been on the hunt for decent fur pompoms FOREVER... And if you can believe it... a tiny town in the Swiss Alps called Leukerbad is exactly where these pompoms were finally discovered. I bought four, and gifted half of them at Christmas to my sisters, which leaves me with one more- a green one! But this seemed like the perfect hat a pop one on.

Perhaps I should resolve to get a half-decent camera at some point this decade???

Dirty Thirty Details

Pattern- Forge by Jared Flood
Yarn- Two balls of Airolo by Lang in shade 60
Needles- Lots of them...

 

May this thirtieth birthday hat of mine remind me to stay open to new challenges, to continue to re-visit and exercise the things that I already know and love, and to never stop accessorizing- especially with pompoms.

So keep knitting my friends.

This season isn't finished with us just yet.

♥