The minute I saw this Through the Woods pattern I knew it would be perfect as a gift for my friend Lauren.  She is having had a baby this month and will probably be out strolling around Central Park with him this fall and winter.  (She had the baby while this post was still in draft form!  YAAAY!  Congrats, L & R!)   She hates wearing hats since she thinks they don’t look right on her so she usually freezes instead.   This hood and cowl combo seems like a perfect solution to me.

The pattern is a very simple knit (I can hear you all groan out there saying that I ALWAYS say that!).  But I SWEAR that it is!!  The main cable part is knit back and forth in rows; you seam the hood; pick up sts around hood and knit that ribbing; pick up sts along bottom edge and knit that part; then pick up and knit for button bands.  See??  EASY PEASY!

In my humble opinion, the hood is a bit small.  Esmie is 12 and you can see that it fits her almost just right.  Lauren is petite so it will fit her, too.  I did get gauge.  So if I were to knit this for myself, I would probably have to knit the hood larger, probably just by making the main piece longer by a few inches and adding a repeat or two to the cable pattern.

After taking these pictures of Esmie modeling for me, I think she needs one for herself this winter, too.  I’m probably biased but my girl is rocking that hood with her orange tank top!

Through the Woods

• Source: on Knit Picks and on Ravelry
• Size: one size fits all (I would say most)
• Yarn: Crystal Palace Yarns Creme, 60% wool, 40% silk; used 6 skeins (744 yds of yarn held doubled = 372 total yds)
• Color: Natural
• Needles: US 10.5 for main hood, US 3 for button bands (yes, you CAN knit bulky weight on size 3 needles)
• Cost: yarn was a gift; 5 buttons @ 75c each.
• Started: August 5, 2010
• Finished: August 14, 2010
• Mods: used double stranded yarn.
  

All prices include shipping in the continental US.  Please email me to rosigarmendia@gmail.com if you’re interested.  Paypal only please.  SPECIAL: Buy any 2 yarns or lots, get a free Rosi G. pattern. Buy 3, get a free Rosi G. pattern AND a free Rosi G. soap. 

1. A Swell Yarn Shop Skinny Duet Sock Yarn — Fingering weight; Sunshine colorway; 100% Merino; 450 yds; $25
2. Araucania Itata Multy — Fingering weight; 70% Wool, 15% Bamboo, 15% Silk; 430 yds; $13
3. Araucania Ranco Multy — Fingering weight; Color #303; 75% Wool, 25% Nylon; 376 yds; $13
4. Austermann Step — Fingering weight; Dune colorway; 75% Wool, 25% Nylon; 460 yds; $17
5. Austermann Step — Fingering weight; color #08; 75% Wool, 25% Nylon; 460 yds; $17
6. Black Bunny Fibers Handpainted Superwash — Fingering weight; Honeybee colorway; 100% Merino, 400 yds; $18
7. Blue Ridge Yarns Kaleidoscope Superwash Sock Yarn — Fingering weight; 100% Merino; 400 yds; $20
8. Cascade Yarns Heritage Solid (2 skeins) — Fingering weight; Bark colorway; 75% Merino, 25% Nylon; 874 yds total; $22
9. Dream in Color Classy (2 skeins) — Aran weight; Justice colorway – exclusive Woolgirl colorway from Lace Club; 100% Merino; 500 yds total; $32
10. Fleece Artist Sea Wool — Fingering weight; Cream colorway; 70% Merino, 30% Plant fiber; 382 yds; $20
11. J. Knits Superwash Me Sock — Fingering weight; New Mexico colorway; wool & nylon; 420 yds; $18
12. Miss Babs Yummy Superwash Sock & Baby Yarn – 2 ply — Fingering weight; Lady Bug colorway – exclusive Woolgirl colorway from Sock Club; 100% Merino; 400 yds; $22
13. Morehouse Farm Merino Merino Lace — laceweight; 3 skeins in 3 colors: Aqua, Baby Blue, and Lavender; 100% Merino; 220 yds each skein; $6 per skein
14. Maple Creek Farm Norfolk — Sportweight; Golden Willow colorway; 450 yds; $28
15. Queensland Collection Uruguay Chunky (12 skeins) — bulky weight; Warm Nutmeg colorway; 70% Merino Wool, 20% Baby Alpaca, 10% Silk; 876 yds total; $40
16. Queensland Collection Uruguay Chunky (14 skeins) — bulky weight; Pastel Sky Blue colorway; 70% Merino Wool, 20% Baby Alpaca, 10% Silk; 1022 yds total; $48
17. Rowan RYC Cashsoft DK (8 skeins) — DK weight; Navy colorway; 57% Wool, 33% Microfiber, 10% Cashmere; 1136 yds total; $35
18. Yarn Chef Bouillabaisse — Fingering weight; Ragdoll colorway; 100% Merino; 540 yds; $21
19. Yarn Pirate Superwash Merino Sock (2 skeins) — fingering weight; Hard Cider colorway (club exclusive); 100% Merino; 960 yds total; $40 for both
20. Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Sock — fingering weight; Gold Dynasty (Woolgirl Sock Club exclusive); 80% Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon; 450 yds; $22

Before:

After:

Here’s a few pictures of peeps I was with and a few peeps I saw.

And here’s the stash enhancement I brought back.  I wasn’t supposed to shop but there was this stall that had yarn for $2 a ball and I mean GOOD stuff – Nashua Handknits, Reynolds, etc.  I need to do some baby knitting for a good friend who is preggers so I figured I’d better rack up!

All in all, it was a fantastic day and the drive wasn’t half bad.  I can see us going back again for the day.

We had a meeting with the councilwoman and the Staten Island postmaster (aka SI PM) this past monday. The SI PM was being hard-headed and refused to see that there was NO WAY to prove that the mailbox was indeed downstairs as his 2 mail carriers claimed. I argued my case like a true wanna-be litigator (my boss’s mad litigation skillz are rubbing off on me!). At the end, after me shooting down everything that came out of the PM’s mouth, the councilwoman told him, “At this point I believe you’re just trying to save face by not reaching an agreement. You and I will be having another conversation.” She’s a tough, tall as all get out, black woman who did NOT back down. History lesson: She’s the first African American to hold any type of political office in Staten Island, male or female.

BTW, this decision was approved by the TRI STATE POST MASTER!! BWAH! That’s who the councilwoman called next instead of continuing to deal with the SI PM. He knew exactly who I was apparently. I should be getting a letter in the MAIL (BWAH!) by Monday with the final resolution. He will also put in writing that I am the FIRST and LAST Staten Island resident to be allowed to move their mailbox, unless the person is disabled.

Oh, and they’re asking that I please not alert the press. So I figured I’d just tell you guys instead. LOL

YAY US!!

MDSW: will any of you be there this Saturday? I hope to see you if you are. And if anyone who is going wants soap, find me as I will have 20 or 30 bars with me which will be on SALE for $5 each!