There is no intelligent life here. Proof of this lies below.
Several weeks ago, I made a hat for my nephew out of my hand-spun yarn. I already had a sweater for his sister, so I thought giving them both something hand-made would be fun. I'll get them books to go along with the hats, I thought.
Then I realized that another of my hand-spun yarns would be perfect for a hat for my new niece, so I made another ear-flap hat. I'm sure you remember.
Then I was abducted by ear-flap-hat-making aliens... Or I fell down the ear-flap-hat-making rabbit hole. Whatever.
10 nieces and nephews on my side of the family? Nine of them should have ear-flap hats. Whew.
The pattern, an amalgam of several I found, evolved and now I could make one in my sleep. The ear flaps are lifted from the Itty Bitty Hats Inca Snowflake hat, except that I do mine in garter stitch so that they lay flat and on needles that are 2 sizes smaller than the rest of the hat.
The number of stitches around the head and their spacing along with the decrease rate at the crown are extrapolated from the Norwegian Star hat pattern I found on Ravelry.
The stranded patterns are from the Norwegian Star hat, Inspired Fair Isle Knits by Fiona Ellis, and Magnificent Mittens by Anna Zilbourg. Any 8 or 12 stitch pattern works.
As of this morning all are wrapped, along with a book, and ready to ship tomorrow. I think they'll get them in time for Christmas.
Along with the hats, I've baked 47 dozen cookies (not an exaggeration) 20 dozen of which I've given away. And I chose the last two weeks to pull apart two of our bedrooms and have them painted. Whew again. I've been a busy girl. No time for blogging, sorry.
What's left this week? One more hat (a surprise for Dear Son... you'll see) and a sweater. For a baby. I've got plenty of time, don't worry...
Those are amazing. The picture is stunning and exhausting to think of the time!
Posted by: Amanda | December 19, 2010 at 08:07 AM
wow! you sure have been busy, no wonder you haven´t blogged. hope you achieve your last goals too, and I hope you have a very happy christmas together with your loved ones.
best wishes from Iceland
Frida
Posted by: Frida | December 19, 2010 at 08:08 AM
Those hats are incredible and I'm sure they will be loved! No wonder you haven't had time to blog!
Posted by: Carole | December 19, 2010 at 08:11 AM
Love them in a row like that.
Posted by: Bridgett | December 19, 2010 at 08:21 AM
You are insane - sad thing, is that I am completely jealous!
Posted by: Janice | December 19, 2010 at 10:53 AM
OMG! They're all beautiful - and complex - and colorful, and I'm sure the mega-dozen cookies are the same. And if you're reading all those books on the sidebar in your "spare time," I now understand why nobody else has time - you got it all! At least you've made good use of it, and we appreciate you taking a smidgen of it to blog us a recap.
Posted by: Charade | December 19, 2010 at 01:17 PM
Whoa! That's a really cool assortment you have there. Love it! And now I feel quite inadequate with my seven hats that are kind of plain in comparison. Good luck on the rest, but I know you'll make it in record time. You must have gotten a time turner in your stocking some holiday past. Ha!
Posted by: Carrie | December 19, 2010 at 04:53 PM
You are my idol! Those hats are absolutely beautiful!
Posted by: Jean | December 19, 2010 at 10:07 PM
I am incredibly impressed. Oh---- and I feel very very very much like mega-slacker. They're gorgeous, kudos!
Posted by: tina | December 19, 2010 at 11:10 PM
The hats are amazing, intricate and bee-yoo-tiful.
You are insane.
Can I have a cookie?
(Merry Christmas!)
Posted by: Tracy in SW WA | December 20, 2010 at 11:47 AM
There may not be intelligent life, but there is definitely super-productive life!
Beautiful hats!
Posted by: Jan | December 20, 2010 at 03:45 PM
You have some lucky, lucky, lucky family members. Those are gorgeous!
Posted by: Elyssa | December 21, 2010 at 12:40 AM
Wow! Great job! I'm sure they were all well received.
Merry belated Christmas & a Happy New Year!
Posted by: Cindy | January 02, 2011 at 08:45 AM