I never knew just how fun knitting could be.  I actually knit most (if not all) of the presents I gave away for christmas this year.  I knit an  iPod pouch for my sister and brother-in-law.  I knit shower soap holders that can double as washcloths for my sister and mother-in-law.  I knit some dishcloths for my mother-in-law.  And I used some yarn to decorate the outside of a candleholder that contained a flameless candle for my sister to use in her dorm room.

At the beginning of the year, I took a break and didn’t knit anything for a while.  My next project was the Not-So-Bulky Golden Compass Hood by Diane Serviss that can be found here: http://earthlyfae.blogspot.com/2008/03/winter-hangs-on-just-like-jilted-love.html.  I used a different kind of yarn, but it did the trick.

What I didn’t like about the hood was that it was very airy,and for a Wisconsin winter, that just won’t work.  I also thought the bouclé yarn was just not right for this design.  So I left its improvement on the back burner while I worked on my next project: The Garter Stitch Loop-Through Scarf by Marci Richardson in the book 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders.  I loved the way this turned out, despite my beginner’s mistakes.  It was thick, warm, stretchy, and pretty in a simple way.

So when I finished, I knew that was how I wanted to modify the Golden Compass Hood.  Now, I am working on a modification of the hood that incorporates the same yarn as the scarf, the same size needles as the scarf, and the same decorative edging as the scarf.  I am also including a cord or ribbon around the bottom edge to make it tie a little more like a child’s bonnet.  I can’t wait to see how it turns out.  Now I only hope I finish before the cold weather is gone.  But if I don’t, there’s always next winter!