Executive Decision

Last year, as with every year, Christmas was just the same. An assortment of presents for an assortment of people without rhyme, reason, or ample time to coordinate a beautiful yet practical parcel for everyone. So, my decision made this year, with PLENTY of time to see it through, is that every family member will receive a hat. Plain and simple. Thus far they're all ribbed to accommodate the craniums of many sizes that populate both sides of my family. The colors are dictated by the half-skeins of merino in my basket, and the striping patterns either by color availability or whenever I run out and need something to finish the decreases.

Since school let out yesterday I have finished two hats in between events and have a third spongy ring strung across my size six circulars. All made out of mystery stash wool, there is...

• ONE "The Boy Hat" by Elizabeth Heath-Heckman. Love the crown shaping, a little extra attention makes a very neat, pleasing finish. This one began in an olive, but when that ran out was finished in a rustic heathery off-white.
• ONE "A Hat Fit For A Boyfriend" by Stephanie Nicole. Plain chocolate brown, I actually had enough to reach the end! Another approach to carefully thought-out decreasing to add some variety to the endless ribbing, and with any luck impress the giftees.
• 1/5 of the "That Chocolate's Gone Straight to Your Ribs" hat by Leonie Connellan. Using up some obnoxiously bright blue for the body and hot pink for the stripes. I'll probably add some more color rings, but whether I'll end up with one additional stripe or several the whole way up I don't know. I'll find out as I go, I suspect!

So as long as I don't have a stroke as the ribbing continues on and on, forever and ever, this is a seemingly brilliant plan! Lots of time, lots of patterns still untried, and a plethora of colors to experiment with. They're seemingly one size fits all, and really; who lives in New York and doesn't need a hat?

Coincidence

On a troubling note, my grandma took a fall down the steps leading from the road to the waterfront at my aunt's lakeside cottage. We think a broken ankle, EMS got her to the best hospital in the area quickly and safely. I wasn't allowed to go, and in the midst of my disappointment I looked down and realized my second sock was almost ready to graft the toe. It's a berryish striping pattern-pinks, brown, and navy, the pattern a blend of the YH's Generic Sock Recipe and a lightweight Thuja.

My mom dropped me and my sister off at the house, and before she ran out the door to meet the rest of the family already at the hospital, I slipped the finished pair into her bag for her to find later.

If I can't be there, I suppose my knitting is close enough.