It's been doin' nuttin but snowin' here in northern Michigan. We woke up to a foot (at least) of fresh snow this morning. It is beautiful!!!

We've had to cancel the last two book club evenings due to the weather--we'll continue to plan on Thursday evenings, because eventually the weather should settle down. If you plan on coming, please let me know. Give me your phone number so that we can call you if we cancel. We have a couple of regular members that drive from Traverse City.

I've been searching for new patterns that knit up quickly (in time for the holidays) and cheaply (in case you haven't heard, we are in a recession!) I've found two great hats and have been able to knit up one.

It's called the Republic Hat, and you can download the pattern for free at Ravelry or at http://niksknits.blogspot.com/. It's a very easy pattern, and the hat is easily knit up in a couple of hours. I knit it in Esther Bitran's Socos (88 yds/100 gms). It required just a little bit of a second skein, so you might want to consider purchasing 3 skeins to be able to knit a matching scarf or mittens. It sells in the shop here for $12 per skein. Alternatively you could use Encore Chunky, Plymouth's Baby Alpaca Grande or a number of other yarns that knit at 3 st/inch. You'll also need a giant button for this hat.

The other hat is also bulky, the pattern calls for Plymouth's Baby Alpaca Grande, one skein. I'll try to get this one knit as soon as possible and post the picture, but you can find the pattern at http://wallisknits.blogspot.com. The name of the pattern is "Marlo".

Hope you are all doing well. I'm wishing wonderful Holidays for each and everyone of you!