Heartwarmers and Basic Winter Hats

My adorable twin nephews are turning two next month, and of course I have to knit them something!  Because I'm determined to have my knitting theme of the year be "Seriously?  I'm done a month early?!", I started back in January.  I know, my theme is probably overly optimistic, but a knitter can dream can't she?

Their mom (my sister-in-law), Katie requested Heartwarmer cowls so that they could match the one I made their dad for Christmas in 2014.  The whole "I wanna be like daddy" thing is about the cutest thing I can imagine, so I cast on right away in the 2-4 yo size, finishing the cowls (Archer's and Xanders) within a few days and well before the end of January.

I really enjoyed the Heartwarmer pattern.  It was very well written with short rows (which have been hard for me to wrap **hehe, get it?** my brain around), as well as reglan shaping for the shoulders which I have never done before.  I used seed stitch at the top and bottom as the pattern suggested, but still found that with the yarn I used it had a bit of curl to it.  I'm currently blocking them, so hopefully that will straighten things out.  The pattern is written fairly well for those who use the magic loop method like I do, but it is certainly not necessary if you use a short circular or DPNs.

Next, I cast on to make two Basic Winter Hats in toddler size (Archer's and Xander's).  This pattern was really simple and I managed to finish both in about two days.  I really love the wide brim on these, and with the lovely family trait of having large heads, these should fit them for a year or two at least.  I didn't feel like the hats needed blocking, so I weaved in the ends and am leaving as is.

The yarn I used for both projects is Cascade Yarn's Pacific in Persimmon, purchased in November 2013 in Port Angeles, WA at Cabled Fiber Studios.  This is the same yarn that I used to make the twins little foxes and scarves before they were born.  Awww....  Right?  Even after making the fox softies, fox scarves, winter hats, and cowls, I still have a skein and a half leftover.  I also have this same yarn in a black, blue, and green, so maybe something can come of that someday.

I also found these cute little socks in the Target to go with the hats and cowls.  The socks may be a bit too big for them yet, but I just couldn't resist!  Here is the full gift.  Two year olds in the excitement of birthday party will probably move on quickly, but as long as mom and dad get me some pictures of them wearing it later, I don't mind.  Baby/Toddler knits seem to go so quickly too.