![IMG_0188](https://longlakeyarns.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_0188-530x396.jpg)
It’s April 22nd and this is getting a bit old. The dock is in the water. The pontoon boat is too. The paddleboat is bobbing around staked to a pole in its usual spot. And its snowing. Snowing.
![unnamed](https://longlakeyarns.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/unnamed.jpg)
Steve bundled up and took a spin around the lake anyway.
So, this wintry weather is a good excuse to feature some nice, warm, knitted hats and earwarmers. Here’s Molly, a great free pattern on Ravelry by Erin Ruth. More than 3000 Mollies have been knit and posted on Ravelry project pages.
![Molly](https://longlakeyarns.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Molly-416x530.jpg)
Great texture. Great slouch. My only modification was to try a folded cast-on edge instead of straight 1-by-1 ribbing. It worked out well, but the extra effort wasn’t really needed.
The crown decreases are nicely organized.
![Molly3](https://longlakeyarns.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Molly3-378x530.jpg)
My Molly is knit in one of the truly great discontinued luxury yarns: Classic Elite’s Princess. It’s 40% wool, 28% rayon, 15% nylon, 10% cashmere, 7% angora. Yipes! It’s wonderful and if you can find any, buy even a colorway you would otherwise spurn–it’s that nice to work with.
I had a bit of Princess left in this leaf colorway. I also had one skein of Princess in “regal teal” and a hankering to try Andi Satterlund‘s “Cabot.” Now, Cabot’s supposed to be all one color. But it’s a yarn eater and I my one skein wasn’t going to quite be enough.
![cabot2](https://longlakeyarns.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cabot2-438x530.jpg)
So, I tried a two-toned Cabot. I have to say I’d have liked the finished hat much better if I hadn’t gone my own way on this one. It’s an excellent pattern and my version doesn’t do it justice.
![cabot3](https://longlakeyarns.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cabot3-384x530.jpg)
Also while we are thinking of snow even though it’s almost May, I’ve been busy knitting more Calorimetries, that great free Knitty pattern by Kathryn Schoendorf. This is Calorimetry #17,464 on Ravelry,
![calori2](https://longlakeyarns.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/calori2-451x530.jpg)
It’s knit in Plymouth Yarns Boku. One skein, almost no leftovers. Great earwarmer.
![calori](https://longlakeyarns.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/calori-530x446.jpg)
Here’s #17,578, in another Boku colorway:
![calorimetry3](https://longlakeyarns.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/calorimetry3-530x421.jpg)
And, in between is Rav’s Calorimetry #17,467, worked up in a yarn I’ve not used before, Simpliworsted by HiKoo by skacel. Excellent yarn. I don’t know what’s up with the double “by” but it’s a great worsted. I was very much drawn to the olive green colorway:
![calori_green](https://longlakeyarns.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/calori_green-449x530.jpg)
Here’s another view that conjures up a tropical leaf:
![calori_green3](https://longlakeyarns.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/calori_green3-530x431.jpg)
While we’re not thinking summer, or even spring, I’ve also been busy with a few Earbuds by Knitwise Design:
![earbuds2](https://longlakeyarns.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/earbuds2-530x331.jpg)
![Bulky-earbuds](https://longlakeyarns.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Bulky-earbuds-530x351.jpg)
The yarn is from my stash and is so totally unavailable anymore there’s really no sense in identifying it for you. But here’s a better view of just how cute and useful Earbuds are. They are knit in two shakes of a lamb’s tail. And they’re useful in the pocket of every winter coat you have.
![EArbuds](https://longlakeyarns.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/EArbuds-401x530.jpg)
![BulkyBud](https://longlakeyarns.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/BulkyBud-513x530.jpg)