I'm still here!

If you've been wondering where I've been I've become fascinated with finding interested patterns on the interwebs and in case you were wondering, there are hundreds out there! My recent favourite is this site which has a large array of vintage patterns I found it looking for 2 needle mitten patterns as I've recently discovered that I loathe and detest knitting in the round! There's lots of 2 needle patterns for them olden days of yore when folk kitted with two sharpened twigs rather than fancy plastic circular knitting needles.

In other news the dog now has a fluffy sweater (he's a greyhound so I'm sure you can imagine how ridiculous he looks in a jumper made from fun fur!). Plus I've made a Christmas present (big hat for a big head) and am halfway through making a pair of mittens for my mum-in-law (I settled for crocheted though as it works up faster).

Finally I had the following conversation with my Other Half last Saturday

Him: I wish I had a Santa hat
Me: I could make you one
Him: Please

By Sunday afternoon he was wearing a crocheted Santa hat which he wore to walk the dog in, the dog who was still wearing his fluffy jumper!

Here's a very rough pattern (although really they're more 'loose instructions' so don't blame me if it all goes horribly wrong! Also, this is crocheted in the round which I love so use a stitch marker if you need one - I never do, I think I like making life difficult for myself!

Using red yarn I started with a chain joined with a ss that was the head circumference, crocheted sc until near the top of the head then reducing as follows:

first reducing row: 2sctog 7sc to end
next row: sc
next row: 2 sc tog 6sc to end
next row: sc
next row: sc
next row: 2 sc tog 5sc to end
next row: sc
next row: 2 sc tog 4sc to end
next row: sc
next row: sc
next row: 2 sc tog 3sc to end
next row: sc
next row: 2 sc tog 2sc to end
next row: sc
next row: sc
next row: 2 sc tog 1sc to end
next row: 2sctog (repeat this row until few enough stitches remain to join together) leave long tail.

Join white yarn at the wide end of the hat. Sc enough rows to make rim of hat (I did about 8 I think) weave in end

Make white pompom secure with long tail at pointy end of hat.