Candy Corn Hat and Moss Stitch Cardigan

Has anyone else noticed a recent baby boom? This time around it seems to have proliferated amongst my friends' younger sisters and my younger cousins. One of my many cousins is due shortly, and she asked if I might make her a candy corn hat for the infant-to-be. It was easy as pumpkin pie to crochet using Lion Microspun - very soft yarn, readily available now in Halloween colors.

But oops ... that baby isn't quite ready to say hello to the world. I do know of a recently sprung baby who might just like to wear this on Halloween. It's definitely infant sized. Now, what to do with the remainder yellow, orange and white microfiber yarn? Hmmm ...

I've stalled on a couple of projects, namely the Lavori doily and the Boho Blocks cardigan. Both will be completed (when I get around to it).

The slightly chilly nights encouraged me to dive into some dark green wool/alpaca/silk blend called Dolce, from Cascade Yarns that had been hibernating in my stash. This freebie Melissa Leapman pattern, Springtime Cardigan, came in the mail (also available in Knit 'N Style, April 2007). Remember to check the Errata page at Knit 'N Style for corrections to this pattern (sent to the publisher by me!).

It's an easy moss stitch pattern, with set-in bell sleeves and gentle waist shaping. The Dolce yarn is just like it sounds - sweet! It's lovely and soft on your hands.

I'm debating whether to add a cable border strip to give it a little something extra, but for right now, it's just moss stitch.

I'm glad I've had experience knitting moss stitch before, because the bias stretch is somewhat unnerving. It looks completely misshapen until you block it. A border strip would help define the shape and square it off, while reducing the effect of the bias stretch.

I'm also thinking about my next lace project. I have some wonderful new yarn to fondle, and it's got me dreaming about lace.

The first is Louet's Euroflax 14/2 linen. This is laceweight flax that has a soft glowy sheen in navy blue. A half-pound cone has about 1,300 yards. I'm thinking about making the Paisley Long Shawl from Fiddlesticks. I know, I originally picked the red cashmere from Colourmart, but I think I'd rather see this shawl in a darker color.

The yardage should be enough if I don't add fringe (and I'm not a fringe-y person, although some may disagree).

Another wonderful yarn with which I am unexpectedly enamored is also from Louet. It's called Kidlin, a mohair-wrapped linen, which is absolutely ethereal. The color is Bryce Canyon, and it couldn't be more aptly named. The linen base yarn is a soft rose color, and the mohair fuzzy fiber wrapped around it is a warm tan color - an inspired interpretation of a canyon sunset.

I'm interested to see how this will knit up. Linen and mohair just don't seem suited to blend together, but this yarn begs to be knit up into something angelic. I'll report back when I have some experience with it.