Nice to have a weekend project

This weekend we did that thing we sometimes do when Neil will be away at a conference:  we went with him and took advantage of the hotel room that would otherwise go largely unused.

When we go to a hotel, the boys enjoy the change of scenery, and would be happy never to leave the room.  I like to spend some of the time exploring the local towns and visiting independent crafty shops, but I, too, am usually happy spend the rest of the weekend just hanging out in the room, once I’ve gotten the shopping out of my system.

While staying in Cherry Hill, NJ this weekend, we dropped by the Collingswood Farmer’s Market, Jubili Beads & Yarns, Woolplay (for yarn), and Little Shop (for fabric), with a stop at Happy Hippo Toys to keep the little people from revolting.

Being away from home gives me permission not to think too hard about my to-do list, and instead (when I’m not shopping or eating out) park myself somewhere comfy with a little project.

I brought a skein of Malabrigo worsted in Water Green, and some needles with me, and came home with a nearly-completed Rose Hill Hat.

There was lobby knitting, first thing in the morning on the bed knitting, middle of the afternoon while the kids are playing knitting, early evening while the kids watch Cartoon Network knitting, in the near-dark after the kids go to bed knitting, and even in the line waiting fill my gas tank knitting.  And during those times I learned how to make bobbles, and to do two types of decreases.

Even with all of the new things to learn, this was so much less of a headache than the version I tried (repeatedly) to make on the loom last year.  And it looks nicer, too.  I may even make more.  Rumor has it there’s a gift-giving holiday fast approaching…

Now.  Anybody want to buy an only-used-once 104-peg fine gauge knitting loom?  I won’t be needing it anymore.