Sappy post ahead

I had a deep moment at Walmart of all places today. I was waiting in a line up that I thought would never end, and as I usually do, I was people watching. There was a couple in front of me with a cart full of toilet paper and new pillows gazing at each other lovingly...just happy to be in each other's company. It occurred to me that they had been married for quite some time. They spoke with their eyes and soft gestures to one another. Each knew what the other had to say without speaking. This tall, well dressed gentleman looked at one of the shelves at the cash and noticed the display of chocolate was all in disarray, and started to "face"the shelves, making each little box of chocolate look perfect, stacking them up neatly and dispensing of the empty display boxes so that shoppers didn't have to wade through the mess. Perhaps he was bored, but to me this touched my heart and I'm not sure why it affected me so much. His wife looked at him lovingly and he put his hand on her back and gently rubbed her shoulders. I felt tears welling up when I saw this. I wanted to tap this woman on the shoulder and tell her how very lucky she was to be married to such a man, although I'm sure she already knew this by the look on her face. Such a simple gesture, I thought, and it was quite obvious he has probably never worked at job such as Walmart in his life, but he felt the need to "help out" 30 seconds of his time to arrange that shelf, but probably saved a poor kid from having to wade through the hordes of people that night, to tidy it up at his boss' request. This to me is the spirit of the holidays. Random selfless acts, no matter how small, that add up to make this world a better place.
This man inspired me to want to be a better person. Walk through life and make things better, no matter how small a gesture.

Merlot

Merlot

By Sarah Dupuis. All rights reserved 2008

This hat was inspired by the dozens of single skeins of Manos del Uruguay I had lying around in my stash.
This hat takes less than 1 skein and fits nicely over the ears so it will actually keep you warm.
Living in Northern Ontario, warmth is a necessity when the temperature drops to -45 c.


Materials:

1 set 5 mm 16" circular needles

1 skein Manos del Uruguay Kettle Dyed Pure wool( 138 yds). I used colour 54.
* this would also work very nicely in Malabrigo, Patons SWS, or Noro Kureyon/silk garden

1 Stitch marker

2 Buttons about 1 inch diameter. I used Mother of pearl shell buttons purchased at Walmart.

* Notes: to (M1) pick up the leg of yarn between sts and knit through the back of the loop

With circular needles, cast on 80 Sts and join to work in the round. Work 8 rows in twisted rib - K2 tbl, P2* to end.

Next round: K8 (m1)* repeat to end of round . 90 sts

Knit 2 rounds plain.

Next round: K9 (m1)* repeat to end of round . 100 sts

Knit 12 rounds.

Next Round: K10 (m1)* repeat to end. 110 sts

Knit 6 rounds plain

Begin Decreases

K10, K2 tog* repeat to last 2 sts K2

Knit 2 rounds

K9 K2tog* to last 2 sts, K2

Knit 6 rounds

K8 K2tog * to last 2 sts, K2

Knit 2 rounds plain

K7 K2 tog* to last 2 sts, K2
Knit 2 rounds plain.
K6 K2tog* to last 2 st K2
Knit 1 row
K5 K2tog* to last 2 sts
Knit 1 row


Continue in this manner, knitting one less stitch between K2tog decreases with 1 plain round between decrease rows until 16 sts remain, cut yarn and thread through remaining sts,
pull tightly and fasten off on the inside of hat.
If you wish you can block the hat into the shape you prefer.
Sew 2 buttons where you like them, and Voila!! a cute slouchy hat in a day.


Hopefully this works out! I've been trying all day to offer up this free pattern, bud Adobe hates me! So Here it is! Enjoy.