I started a vintage Santa Christmas ornament for a good friend early last December. The ornament was so cute, maybe I’ll make several, I thought. There turned out to be several holes in that theory.
1. Vintage patterns are difficult to read when you are used to modern patterns.
2. Working with tiny crochet thread, especially black, makes me feel like I’m going blind.
3. It turns out I’m a little bit of a perfectionist when it comes to Santa beards.
4. I hate finishing work (like sewing on eyes, mouths, mustaches, beards, and belts).
He’s finally finished and I’m fairly satisfied. Hopefully, the friend will give him a happy home. I’m off to toss this pattern in the recycle pile.

Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me!
I love my dear TH! Happy Brithday to me!

and for those of ya’ll keeping track at home….yes, my birthday is in mid-December, but TH and I have never stood on ceremony or been held back by such mundane things.

I made a stocking hat for my nephew in honor of his first birthday. The pattern is Pixie Hat by Debbie Bliss. I was very pleased with how easy it was and how it turned out, but I expect it will look better on R than it does on my old panda bear. Before you get caught up in how ratty Panda looks, you should know that in addition to having the right size head, his heart is a rattle and he has a music box in his arse that still plays music. If I make more toddler hats, you may be seeing more of him.

Speaking of having the right size head….the sizing was a little bit of a roller coaster. The ride went something like this:
I knit a guage (for once) and it is spot on, so away I go.
I get about 1/3 of the way done and Lisa says, “that looks a little big.”
My reply is, “it’s bigger than the newborn hat, but I did a gauge.”
A few knitting days pass and I realize the hat is about the same size as the hat I made for myself. Wait one minute! I try it on. RAT ON A STICK! It fits me! I’ll have to rip it out. sigh.
A day passes.
I look at the pattern which says 12-24 mos. is 19″ and the hat is 19″. I google and find that the average woman’s head size is 21″. I think about how stretchy this yarn is and sigh with relief.
I won’t have to start over after all and the hat will be done by his birthday. whew!

Happy Birthday, R! Love, Aunt Katie