After two false starts on the crown of this hat, I final figured out that I didn’t know what I was doing. Lucky for me, the internet set me straight. That hat pattern is The Professional by Emily Nelson. The pattern calls for three rows of shells for the beanie look and five rows to cover your ears. In my first attempt I made five rows, but the hat didn’t quite cover my ears. I ripped it back a bit and added a sixth row and shells. Now it covers my ears. Check out the obligatory self-shot photos.

Oh, you’ll notice the point look on the crown. Try as I might, I couldn’t get rid of it. So I look like an acorn. I bet if I used a dark brown on the crown and tan for the rest of the hat, I really could pull off the acorn look.

The scarf is in progress. In a week or so, I’ll share it.

Now I need to arrange my entertainment. After we eat more food than necessary, we usually end up spending a lot of time sitting around watching movies. I’m not very good at just sitting and watching movies without doing something with my hands. So I trying to consider my options. So far this is what I’ve come up with:

• Start a knitting project. Since I’m in a practical mood said knitting project needs to be useful. I have a very nice hat and mittens. I’d like a lacey hat that’s more for looks than warmth, Option 1, Option 2, Option 3. If the hat doesn’t suit me, I think a scarf, Option 1 or Option 2, might work. And if the hats and scarves don’t suit me, I can always knit an a blanket to drape over the foot of our bed, Option 1.
• Build a puzzle
• Work on an existing project, like my baby hexagons or an embroidery project. I have a few in the works.

Really, it comes down to what I willing to spend money on. Do I really need a new project? Can’t I be entertained with what I have. Oh the dilemma. (sigh) Right now I think I’m leaning toward a puzzle and an existing project. Of course if somebody shows me a knitting pattern that I can’t live without, I could easily be persuaded.

It only took me about five minutes into the movie before I decided I wanted everything Coraline. All the creativity kept my brain turning and turning. I think it has yet to turn off. The movie accomplished the amazing feat of being creative in its own realm and inspiring me to creative in my own realm. I have to admit I think it’s so cool that people can eek out a living making miniature sweaters and cute bits of furniture not to mention a garden fit for any imagination. Oh, Coraline—my new muse.

Of course, the movie is more than miniature hand knitted sweaters. I quickly bonded to several characters and the creepy story kept me wondering about the ending.

Back to my desire to own everything Coraline, I found this Coraline blog that features an ABC book from Coraline’s universe. I want it, and I’m not sure where I can get it. I might have to settle for or at least start my collection with the book Coraline. If anybody wonders what they should buy me for my birthday, a Coraline bendy doll or action figure would make me happy.

If you decide to see this in the theater, make sure you see the 3D version, well worth the effort.

Now I just need to mitten like weather. I’m sure there will be few more cold days this Winter season.

Side note: I’m working on my macro photography skills. While I’m not in love with this picture, I do believe the colors are fairly true to life. I just wish the white was brighter. Does anybody have any bright ideas?

I’m not a huge knitter. I like knitting, but I can only manage so many craft outlets. Regardless, I knew I’d be traveling for a couple of weeks, all work related. Since knitting travels, I started a new project. See this cute hat!

It’s Hermione’s Cable and Bobble hat from Charmed Knits. This was the perfect project to take my knitting skills to the next level. For the first time, I made cables and bobbles. Successfully I might add. The knitting doesn’t stop here. Nope! I making the matching mittens. In fact, mitten #1 is done. I’m moving on to mitten #2. So far, I’m pleased.

My creative fun doesn’t end with knitting. Since I don’t have enough unfinished projects, I started something new, Heather Bailey’s paper topiaries. I love mine.

Here my Clapotis waits to worn.

I can honestly say that I use this knitted item more than any other knitted item.