I knit my first Habitat in 2009. I enjoyed the pattern that required a bit of concentration, and thought that it might be fun to knit another one.

So I casted on my second Habitat in the end of 2009. Unfortunately, I had not enough time to knit it, and after a lengthy break in knitting and messing up several rows of the pattern, I grew tired of the project. So it ended up in my ever-growing pile of ufos.

This spring, I was participating a school field camp as a supervisor. I assumed that I’d have plenty of time for knitting, so I filled up my suitcase with yarn and ufos and patterns – and a couple of good books.

Once I got the hang of it, the pattern was once again lovely to knit. So I knit and read and knit and read. The project took up 110 grams of yarn (Novita Saana, 100% wool, needles 4.5 mm and 5 mm), and it turned out significantly bigger than my first Habitat.

A bit oversized, perhaps. But not badlooking the way it is – at least if one wears it on the forehead and not over the eyes.

Continuing with the fo’s of 2011. Kids had been longing for oversized beanies. Once Villapeikko published her Sirle beanie pattern in Ulla 3/2011, I immidiately went shopping for yarn.

The detail that I first caught my eye in Sirle, was the ribbing that was shaped with short rows in order to make the ribbing narrower in the neck and wider in the front.

Kid wanted a white beanie, just like in the pattern, so that’s what she got (Ravelry link). I bought a skein of Laurin villalanka, which I had never knitted before. Using needles of 3.5 mm, the finished beanie took up 71 grams of yarn. It didn’t turn out as oversized as I (or to be exact, kid) expected, but yet it was worn a lot over the winter.

For kid number 2, I also bought a skein of Laurin villalanka but in grey. I used 3.5 mm needles again and did everything exactly like in Sirle number 1, but still the beanie turned out more of oversized kind, and the kid was quite happy with the result.

Sirle number 2 (Ravelry link) took up 85 grams of yarn, so no wonder it turned out bigger. Even though it was the same yarn, it had a different feel to it both as a ball and while knitting. I also have a couple of skeins of the same yarn in red, and that seems to be more alike the white yarn. (Note to self: in a future, do not attempt to combine grey with any other colour.)

Kids loved these beanies, and I loved knitting them. That makes Sirle a perfect pattern, doesn’t it?

The good things come in threes. Or at least I need to make them in threes.

Wanted to knit some beanies for kids (again). This time took up a Mesi-pattern by Villapeikko (Ravelry link).

Yes, it’s a fun pattern to knit, and it looks very nice. Kids love it.

Blue one (Ravelry link) is made of Novita Nalle Aloe Vera (75% wool, 25% nylon), which was a nice yarn to knit, due to aloe vera. Brown one (Ravelry link) is also made of Novita Nalle, brown yarn is the regular kind, off-white is with aloe vera. Needle size 3,5 mm.

The honeycomb pattern on the side of the beanie is a lot easier to knit than it looks. I was pleasantly surprised the first time around (in Pikkuveli cardi).

But the most fun is the top of the beanie with the strands of colours.

The third Mesi (Ravelry link) I was requested to make needed to be knitted of Novita 7 Veljestä (75% wool, 25% nylon, but a thicker yarn than Nalle), since our local store had run out on blacks and reds in Nalle. Continued knitting with size 3,5 mm needles.

The beanie turned out ok, but it’s not as nice and comfortable as the ones knitted of Nalle.

Did I mention kids love these?

***

I have knitted a beanie for myself, too. (Please, do note this carefully. I’m not making a habit of this.)

Käänteinen (Ravelry link) is a reversible rib cap. The pattern was published in Ulla 2/08.

I made mine (Ravelry link) out of an old skein of Novita Nalle and with 3,0 mm needles. Had 160 stitches to start with.

This is one nice beanie, and excellent for the purpose it was made: outdoor excercise. It is not too thick, but still feels warm.