Another worry monster...

Here is my latest worry monster. It will eventually go off to Knit-for-Nowt from where it will join others on their way to social workers and therapists working with traumatised children.

Some of the monsters on the above website are amazing. Apparently, the social workers have asked for lots of details on the monsters as they encourage the children to talk. So this one has ears, messy hair and a pocket for the worries. Finally, inspired by a recent trip to the vet with my lazy cat, I added what I hope looks like a set of neatly trimmed claws. (Fleur, take note!)

I thought I had finished this monster and I was working on the next one. But every time I caught sight of it, I couldn't help noticing its vacant expression. So I added a monobrow this morning, which I hope has made it look more worried than gormless.

My new favourite hat pattern...

I promise this isn't the same hat photographed from different angles and blogged about several times! I have quite a lot of this Aran wool to use up. I loved it when I bought it and I still do. It's navy blue with a small beige fleck to give a bit of interest.

This time I followed a pattern that I can't remember knitting before. It's the Easy-Fit Ribbed Hat by Mary Jane Protus. It is almost identical to my previous favourite pattern. But this one has a much neater crown and for that reason is the pattern that I will use in future. It is knit "in the round" and very easy to do. 

The ribbing helps it to fit any shape head. My hat will fit an older child and will eventually go off to Operation Orphan. But I like the wool and pattern so much that I am planning to knit an adult size for myself. That is a big statement for someone who usually prefers to freeze than wear a hat. The beauty of this pattern is that you just use a slightly larger knitting needle if you want a larger size. There is no wading through rows of numbers with this pattern. 

Presently, I am working on three different worry monsters and they are all at the ugly duckling stage. I will blog about them when they are a bit more presentable!