Winter is coming

 Although the weather here is still quite balmy, it's guaranteed that eventually cold weather will be arriving. So, in an effort to avoid endless exposure to "you-know-what" on social media and the news I've been doing a fair bit of knitting.

How about a cozy cap? I've knit this pattern before, but this version is for me. It's the Orvieto Hat by Nina Machlin Dayton and I knit it in Cascade 220. I prefer a looser fit in a knitted hat (all the better to not mash the hairdo down) and this pattern fits the bill.

The next piece holds more meaning (to me) than simply keeping warm. It's the Dissent Cowl by Carissa Browning. The designer was inspired by the collar worn by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (US Supreme Court) when she dissented from a court decision. It just seemed fitting to be working on this while momentous decisions about the future of our country were being made. A further attraction was the designer's decision to donate  to the American Civil Liberties Union in RBG's honor - I believe the total donation was over $41,000 US - excellent!

But beyond that, I was knitting it with a yarn from very deep stash. A yarn purchased at Stitches East (now defunct) when it was held in Valley Forge, PA -- so, a very long time ago. It is a 4-ply cashmere from Cashmere America - now also not in existence. Why it took me so long to get around to knitting with it I do not know -- perhaps I have too much yarn? No, that can't be it. At any rate, it was a nice reminder of a time long past when knitting expos were a new-ish thing and folks got together and had good times without regard to anything other than the joy of our craft. 

The Cashmere America yarn is the lighter (undyed) color -- the other yarn is Dream in Color Smooshy with cashmere. It has variations in the (mostly) dark green color, but that doesn't show up too well in the photo -- or in real life actually. It was my first attempt at working anything in mosaic slip stitch, and didn't take too long to get into a nice working rhythm. The Dream in Color yarn was a bit lighter weight than the 4-ply cashmere, but didn't pose a problem. 

Here's a closer look at the stitch pattern -- 

And next it's off to the sewing room to attempt to replicate a design from RTW using my shirt block-- wish me luck!