By the skin of my knitting teeth

Remember the story of the hat? 

You know the one. 

The olive-y-greeny one with cream marled fairisle stags?

The one that sat like a pimple on Youngest's head?

The one that had accompanied me on many a walk and to work?

Oh

That one....

Well.

I frogged it in frustration after the pimple on the head episode and wiped it from my memory.

Then, Youngest - in his most forthright manner asked if he was ever going to get his hat.

I relented, fished out the disgraced pile of curly alpaca yarn and tried again.

He wanted it for his three day DofE walking challenge.

Right,  I had ten days to turn this around.

My heart and my knitting mojo just were not in it and I found that I was frogging more than knitting.

Dishearted, I put it aside.

I still had seven days before he needed it.

Then I had three.

Now it was Friday evening and he was setting off 2pm Sunday.

And his hat?

Well - still a pile of crinkly yarn.

I warned the family that I was about to knit like a dervish 

at every opportunity.

So, armed with tea, a home made rusk (thanks mom) and plenty of determination.

I got to it.

I gave the fairisle look the heave-ho

and went with something I know I can do - the Graham 

It was the pattern I did for Eldest's 'Iceland hat'

After all the faffing around I'd had with my previous attempts,

nothing like an imminent deadline

charges the knitting juices!

By Saturday afternoon - Youngest's hat was really taking shape

I woke up Sunday morning when Himself brought me a coffee in bed 

and I added a few more rows.  

It looked like I just might 

(if I kept at it) I just might do it!

By midday, Youngest was all packed and ready

just as I was weaving in the last thread.

He whisked it out of my hands and unblocked - shoved it on his head.

Ta - phew - da!

We all bundled into the car, he in his hat

and me ?

Well quietly pleased

and greatly relieved! 

Thank you all for  your comments on my last post - I will get round to answering them this week - Eileen T I've not forgotten your request for my trailing stars - I'll find the link for you and let you have it this week x

Right - the weekend is over and Monday just around the corner - Hope you all have a happy week! xxx