I was getting worried there for a minute.

The hat mojo - IT HAS RETURNED!!!! I am very happy about this. It had been seriously waning for a while. Partly because you can't actually wear hats now, what with it being summer and all, partly because FOs that need to be photographed *coughDARROWcough* always drain my mojo, partly because I've been obsessing with OSWs and sweaters, and partly because of a couple of failed hat ideas that I had a few months ago.

A new idea for a hat came to me yesterday. This is the first idea I've had in a while, so I'm very happy about it. I'd been starting to think I was out of ideas! Now the new idea is consuming me (Cara has an awesome description of the creative process here), and it will continue to consume me until I knit it up and determine if it's good or bad. Fortunately I am headed to Philly tonight - I have a one-day seminar tomorrow on the ultrafascinating topic of GAAP accounting - and I will cast on for the new hat on the train. Between the two 1.5-hour train trips, and my having absolutely nothing else to do tonight (work is paying for the trip, so I can't exactly rent a pile of movies in my hotel room, or spend the night on the phone with V.), I'll probably get this finished before I get home tomorrow night. I even brought some extra knitting stuff just in case I finish early - Noro Transitions and size 10.5 needles will make for a pretty quick knit.

It also really helps the mojo that I read about this place in the NYT Style section last Sunday. It's a consignment shop that showcases designers who are just starting out. I plan to get about a dozen hats together (about half of which are already made), photograph them (UGH!), and email the owner to see if she's interested. While I'm making the remaining hats, I've got to get myself some labels and possibly some business cards. Also some little tags to write the care instructions on. I'm a little worried that it's too late - she's already got fall stuff for sale, and I need at least a month before I even contact her. But hey, it doesn't hurt to try.

In other news, my sweaters are languishing. I am not very upset about this. I will gladly give up my sweater-a-month deal in exchange for the returned hat mojo. The sweaters are also languishing because I decided to put them down and make - for myself, finally - an OSW. I made it in Rowan Cashdoft Aran in Thunder (a medium grey). I did all the edgings in 2x2 rib, just like I did for the other two OSW's I made. For all the edgings, I did the last round and BO edge in the color Foxglove (kind of mauve-y). It's purty! I still need to weave in the ends. The other two (Silk Garden and Lamb's Pride Worsted) looked good without blocking, but this one could definitely use some time in the washer and some pinning out. Once that's done I'll post a photo.