Lichen Hat & Bark Shawl

Not one FO for you today but two - linked by a theme of nature and also by designer. The very talented Suseknits produced a lovely shawl pattern recently called Bark. As she was having a KAL over in her Ravelry group and I happened to have a perfect skein of yarn newly acquired in my stash - Solstice yarns Tidal sock yarn in the Leaf Mould colourway - it seemed like a match made in heaven.

Typically for me I didn't read the pattern properly and worked the repeats a little differently to how the designer had intended but I love the finished object. It has wonderful drape and texture and is feminine without being fussy.

The second FO is a hat which I did as a test knit, also for Suseknits. This is the Lichen & Moss Hat and I used some Sublime Organic merino dk in an Oatmeal colour. This yarn has been in my stash for some considerable time after I bought 10 balls of it on sale. It is a loosely plied single so I didn't want to use it for a garment, but its soft and squishy nature means it is perfect for hats, scarfs and cowls.

This was wonderful pattern to knit. A very effective textured stitch pattern which was easy to memorise and fun to knit. This hat practically flew off the needles and is now my 'must-have' accessory when I leave the house. I always struggle with hats to find one that looks 'right' but this is just perfect with just enough slouch and a perfect fit on the brim.

Sue also has the Lichen & Moss Cowl pattern available to match which she kindly gifted me, so guess what I'll be working on soon?

Oddments

I spy a fabulous new project for the forthcoming year - this came up on my radar a few days ago and I love the idea.

The Great Oddments Knitdown is the brainchild of the very talented Rosemary (Romi) Hill, this project aims to use up all those oddments you have lurking in your stash - and don't pretend that you don't have any :)

There will be 15-18 patterns released over the coming year for a variety of small projects. Ideal for using up those single skeins and troublesome oddments you can't throw away but can't bear to part with either.

I love the first pattern which has just been released and it would make a great Christmas present - the FairySnowCap.

I know I have a fair bit of aran weight yarn to use up in my stash but also, I'm thinking that with dk weight and smaller needles it would make a great child's hat too.