A Late Shipment of Degrees

I looked outside today and noticed an odd pair of shoes in my front yard. These, I am convinced, are all that remain of one of the neighborhood kids, who must have melted into the sidewalk.

Ignoring the weatherman's cruel report that it is 95 degrees outside, I have been busily knitting today, happy in my own la-la-land (er, rather, delirious from the heat) trying to convince myself that no, that is not sweat dripping down my neck, it's the ice cold breeze of an impending snow storm. Really. It's coming, any minute now. Any minute. Now. Really.

I believe I have this hotterthanhell situation figured out. My family, I love 'em (If I were in the South, I would say, "My family, God bless 'em, because that's what Southerner's say). But they are procrastinators. This winter, I implored them to send me degrees. They live in South Florida, and had so many. Could they please, please, just send me a few? I think they finally got around to doing it. So, while it is a pleasant mid-eighties day in Miami, we are stewing here in the Frozen North. This is the equivalent of unloading all of your big bulky sweaters on your little sister in the middle of August, and then perkily showing off your neat and newly organized closet. Thanks, everyone.

While I waited for the snow to come, I knitted up my VERY FIRST HAT, who I have named, "Alaska Hat". (It is important to name your knitting, because you spend a lot of time with it, and knitting projects are not just objects, afterall. They have feelings, too, you know.)

This is a very exciting step for me because:

1) I used circular knitting needles that look like this (very scary.):



2) I used the dreaded double pointed needles of death, that look like this (yes, very, very scary.):



At any one time I had four needles going, and more focus on anything than I have had since high school. O.k., so maybe that isn't saying much.

3) I decreased. For those of you who knit, I realize that this is not a big deal. But, have I mentioned that my biggest project to date has been a garter stitch scarf? 'Nuff said.

4) I did it in a single day. I believe that qualifies me to get a job in a Malaysian sweat shop.

So, without further ado, here is the picture of the final product.



And look it fits! This is me positively giddy with pride and more than a little loopy from the heat:


So, with that I will turn in for the night. But, hey ya'll in the South? Could you take back a few of these degrees for a while? My closet is pretty full, and I just got a new hat. Thanks.