Malabrigo and Gretel

After living in denial for the last three months, I have finally come to (partially) accept that winter might again be here for it's horrific onslaught of vexation and frostbite.

Being caught outdoors wearing only a light jacket while snow fell around me might perhaps have something to do with my erudite discovery.

(And yes, I was also wearing pants and shirt and other accouterments. I just couldn't figure out how to imply all that in the aforementioned paragraph.)

When I finally got home and thawed out, I headed straight for my stash to begin knitting myself a hat, since I have to this point been sadly hatless - a very shocking state for a knitter to be in.
I've been saving a beautiful little skein of malabrigo magic for just such a project. This yarn (named Terracotta) is the stuff of poetic bliss. Stroking its luscious fibers is liking having a massage, getting a really good hair cut, winning the lottery, getting free volunteer babysitter services, and being given a lifetime supply of dark chocolate all at once.

Heady stuff, if you know what I mean, with pun fully intended.

(I'll pause for the groans).
This hat is called Gretel, and is a nice little cabled number that is designed to be a slouchy hat. I think the yarn is a bit too variegated to do the cables justice, but I don't really care, as I am in love with all things malabrigo.
I'm glad I only knit the Regular size, because after I gave it a gentle washing and just let it air dry without any real blocking, it ballooned to twice it's size.

Still, I'm pleased with the results. I got it knit in two days, had four yards of yarn to spare (juuuust squeaked this hat out of one skein, woo-hoo!), and since it's nice and floppy in the back, I won't have to fret about hat hair. (I think I'll give the edges a crochet tighten-up, though, so it stays on a bit more firmly.)
Lovely hat and exquisite yarn to combat wretched weather blues.

Excuse me while I bury my face in my hat for the next nine months.