More scarves

Colin was the recipient of my second ever creation, a scarf made over a few evenings using Wendy Pampas super chunky in a gorgeously warm barley colour (#2203). I used the enormous 12mm needles, so it didn't take long to complete but I had learned from my previous mistakes and the finished scarf was much prettier as a result.

Growing in confidence with my new hobby, I wore the Big Green Monster into the office one chilly morning last February. Amy spotted it and before long I was knitting her a more attractive cousin to the Big Green Monster. More recently, I knitted another scarf for Amy, she picked a gorgeous marbled grey colour, while Georgina was brave and asked for a scarf in the shade 'Little Big Horn'; I absolutely love the purple in this yarn.

Both Dads received a hand-made scarf for Christmas. For a bit of a change, I found some lovely warm Life Chunky yarn in granite marl for Mr Palmer and black for Mr Swain snr. For the occasion, I splashed out on some new 6mm needles. I still get very excited when buying new equipment. These are a good size to work with and I've used them a fair bit this month. I admit that my father-in-law didn't get his scarf in time for Christmas (it was three days late) but hopefully it will be useful now the cold snap has arrived.

Woolly hats

Our niece Abigail was the recipient of my first attempt at a drawstring hat, using Ecobaby yarn in unbleached white, with a flower knitted using Sidar Snuggly Smiley Stripes in multi-pink. My first attempt at knitting a 1x1 rib was quite a shocker, but fortunately for Abi, the final effect was pretty and stretchy too. I have made a few more hats since this first one and I'm really pleased with the results. I used the Sidar Smiley Stripes in blue for James Champkins in April and he looked absolutely yummy in it. For Christmas, I decided to make hats for our Godson James Cox and his three siblings. James's hat sports the biggest (detachable) pom-pom imaginable; Thomas's black beanie was finished with a red thread woven around the edge to give it some colour; Ellie's hat was a candy pink colour with a pink and white pom-pom; baby Amelia's hat looks very similar to Abigail's in white ecobaby yarn with pink flower.

Thank you so much for all the lovely comments I received last week. Chief Duck is busy with some exciting orders received through the site so I'd love to hear what you think of my recent projects.

Spurred on by my early scarf success, I decided to branch out away from scarves in an impromptu interlude.

My friend Evette had just had baby Charlotte so I decided on a trip to Arty Cat to check out the incredible range of yarn suitable for babies. Over the next four nights I embarked upon a pattern for Charlotte's booties using Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino in pink.

It is, in my humble opinion, a yarn of the gods and so beautifully soft. I have a soft spot for merino wool, but more on that later...

I can confess now, almost a year later that poor Charlotte's booties were not a thing of beauty. My first attempts at backstitching left a whole lot to be desired. I hope Charlotte and her Mum forgives me, in the knowledge that they are very unique and bear witness to my first ever attempt at decreasing and stitching up.

From these inaugural booties, I have progressed to knit up several variations of these booties. Thankfully, many of my friends and family members welcomed new arrivals in 2011, so I had plenty of chances to experiment: Robert's in white ecobaby with blue ribbon; Tabitha's in Debbie's pink again with pink flowers added; Amelia's (pink again!) using stocking stitch for a rolled effect at the top of the bootie; Emily's and Jessica's in pretty Sidar Snuggly Smiley (multi pink) again with stocking stitch. I used gorgeous gift boxes from Paperchase which are just the right size.

I absolutely love how quickly these yummy-looking booties can be put together over a few evenings. I'd love to hear what you think.