Return of the needles...

Every few years I take another pass at knitting. I really like it while I'm doing it, and theoretically I have a bunch of things I'd love to learn to make. But time and motivation wear me down and I fall off the habit. My current hurdle has been being utterly bored with the second of my first pair of sock. I won't say how long they have had me in limbo. 

However, my roommate and her mother are great motivators--as is her mom's amazing wool collection! I came back from a visit to their family home with two inches already done of a new hat. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the pattern is from Jane Austen Knits. 

I know, surprise that that lured me in. I love almost everything in this book (Summer 2012), and it is only my limited budget that keeps me from going online and snapping up all of the Jane Austen Knits back issues. I was gifted this one to bring home, and as of last night (three days later), I am about 16 rows from completion for the Modified Mob Cap:

(Also, there are great articles in the book, including an interview with costumer and milliner Elizabeth Cherry, who designed this pattern, and a piece on historical dresses from Jane Austen's era based on her books and letters.)

I have a plethora of the purple wool I'm using, so when I'm feeling more advanced, I may try those lovely mitts on the cover, or, if this wool is too thick for the mitts, a matching scarf. Someday I hope to be brave enough to try the Sotherton Sweater:

Ah, well...first I need to do a second mob cap for my roommate.

Happy stitching!