Finishing an already finished object

Last March I deemed the Fibonacci Vest as complete, even though it lacked buttons. Not that we didn't search for buttons, but finding the perfect buttons proved elusive. Then summer came and meh, who cares about buttons on wool vests? With winter pressing down upon us, though, buttons once again seemed imperative. And we found some at Joann that satisfied that need.

Meanwhile, I *still* have not completed Tuckernuck. I got stuck on the set-in sleeves, then on the button band, and now on the button hole band. Plus a severe case of startitis hit (coinciding with the creeping crud - two weeks of misery) which led to some WIPs: a scarf, a pair of socks, and a hat, all requiring next to no brain power. I'm finally feeling better, so it's time to tuck Tuckernuck into bed.

Free yarn!

Three years ago I knit a couple of Schmattas, then never got around to sewing buttons on them. Yesterday I pulled them out of the WIP pile with every intention of adding the buttons, when I wondered, "Why bother?"

No offense to Mason-Dixon Knitting, but no one I know would want to wear one of these, including me. Do I go ahead and sew on the buttons, then tuck the neckerchiefs into the gift drawer, never to be gifted? Or do I salvage the yarn and make something someone would actually wear, like felted slippers?

Do you have items in your gift drawer that you knit reflexively but that will never see the light of day? Or items that served their usefulness in a few short weeks, never to be worn again? In the latter category are some infant outfits I knit my g'daughter. Seriously, knitting infantwear other than booties and hats is a bit of a waste because babies grow so fast; better to make a blanket that will be used for years to come.

So I'm thinking of recycling the yarn from some of those ungiftable knitted objects. The baby outfits were knit from fingering, but since it is 100% merino (no nylon), I don't want to make socks with it. Maybe gloves? Or a fine gauge scarf? If this frigid weather keeps up, underwear is definitely an option.

Another watch cap

Last spring, while visiting Massachusetts, I shopped at Webs in Northampton and grabbed a few skeins of Encore for knitting hats. I like to have a few extras around because sometimes people forget theirs or (ahem) some people lose theirs. I've knit this pattern before, so no surprises there. It's easy and quick and produces a perfectly serviceable winter hat.

Pattern: Watch Cap, by Judith Durant
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted
Needles: US8
Modifications: none

Hand knit hats always seem much warmer than store bought. Some would say it's because they are knit with love, but, as my stepmother once pointed out to me, you can buy hats with love. I think it is because the process of hand knitting traps more air in the fabric. What do you think?

Who needs needles?

I was in some store like Walmart or Meijer when out of the corner of my eye I saw something about "arm knitting". Have you ever heard of this? I had not, so of course I Googled it.



Are you going to try this? I might. Someday. When I don't have anything else to do.