Knitting in the new year

I have been in a knitting slump since Christmas. I made so many things for my family and friends that I think I got a little burned out. Especially when I learned half the hats I made didn't even fit the recipients! Alas, I tried, and really, I'm still a beginner. But, it's time to start anew. And I'm going to tackle those hats!

First project, very easy, shouldn't take more than two evenings:



From Smariek Knits. For those of you not in the know, it's Jayne Cobb's hat, from the Firefly episode "The Message." It's for Jon's friend Dura who requested it late last year. I thought he was joking, but no. He harassed me about it during a recent "American Gladiators"-watching party. I have made a hat with earflaps before, but I'll be using a different technique this time, one involving picking up stitches, which is not my forte. I'll also have to learn how to make a pom-pom for the top. Fun!

Second project, a little more time consuming, and a little harder:



A Transformers Toque! From Yes I Made That. Also for Jon's friend, but this time Damon. Both Damon and Dura helped feed our fish while we were in Japan so I think it would be nice to make them something.

But...like I said...the vim and vigor for knitting has waned. I'm hoping to spark the fire again with some new projects. I was working on the previously mentioned top-secret project, but Sophie found my ball of beautiful yarn and unraveled it. This yarn is very delicate so I'm dreading re-winding the whole thing. Dang dog. She also ate my cookies...