Warm wooly gnome hats

Good news - I finally set up my sewing room yesterday.  In the meantime however, I took to knitting to fill some of my creative urges.  

I found this pattern on etsy and when I went to pick out the yarn at a shop in Ann Arbor, the owner informed me it was designed by a local woman, I think that makes me love it even more.  

The hats were quick and easy to knit up.  As I was knitting them I kept singing Heather Forest's song The Cap that Mother Made from this story.  I would sometimes work on the hats while tucking Henry in bed and while laying next to him make up all sorts of stories about a magical cap that would make him invisible and able to chase down dragons, he was the most excited for me to finish. 

I experimented with different yarns and sizes and after three I think I have it figured out. George's was the first one done, I used the Malabrigo Rios super wash Merino and size 6 & 8 needles for the children's size but it was too small for anyone but him.  Here he is trying to break into the sheep's pen. 

  For Henry's I went up to the adult size but it is too big, I used another merino worsted weight called  artful yarns water fall.

Clara picked out her own yarn, it is a Malabrigo worsted weight.  I went back to the children's size for hers adding a few inches to the neck length and it was just right.

I love how adorable they each look but I am especially pleased with the insulation it provides for their necks.  Paul's mom is making a few more for Maryanna and Peter but I don't think I could persuade the older two to wear one, maybe if they felt how warm and cozy they were.

While Maryanna is waiting for Nanny to finish hers, she's opted for more of a city girl look for outside play.  I am cracked up by the way she's been carrying her purse around just in case she found an egg or something.