Lana's Blanket

   My Aunt Lana lives in Redondo Beach above a bluff over looking the pacific ocean. It’s gorgeous, if you don’t mind the 150 yards (mostly vertical) that separate you from the beach (and ant-like people) below. Every year, she shares her good fortune by having everyone come by for the 4th of July to watch the fireworks (one of her neighbors hires a barge full of ‘em).

   As I sat there watching the waves crash down below us; I noticed it was a bit chilly, despite it being July. With Lana being amazing and playing hostess every year, it seemed like a nice idea to make her a gift that was reminiscent of the view she loves so much.

For so many reasons I chose to use acrylic yarn. It’s washable, inexpensive, I don’t have to worry about dye lots, and I could get the colors I wanted. And thank goodness it’s inexpensive, since I was holding two strands of worsted weight throughout making it sort of a bulky weight. I saw in a catalog where colors gentle shifted into one another by holding one strand of the old color and one strand of the new color you’re transitioning to.

I chose a stitch pattern from one of the stitchionaries I have that reminded me of waves.

Erickson the Red

Doesn’t he instill fear in your very soul? I know... growing up as a kid, my brother used to make me scared all the time. Though after we both became teenagers, my brother actually became one of my closest friends. So, when I saw this pattern for a baklava with a beard, and specifically the modified version made by Davitron and TricotChico (which combined the bakalva with Chile con Yarne's viking hat pattern), I knew I would have to make at least one.

It took me forever to find the perfect heather yarn for the beard. It’s this amazing red with a bit of blond and brown fibers as well. In short, it’s ideal for my brother (hey, we’re part Swedish) and he’s kind of a dirty blond (especially since he’s a greasy gamer guy at times).

Aside from those wonderful horns, there is an i-cord brim where the helmet meets the beard. Oh, and Velcro attaches the various mustaches so that he can change them as his mood varies. 1900’s ‘stach? No problem! Need that handlebar ‘stach, brother (said in gruffy prison voice)? It’s right there.

I completed this little gem for my brother while we were on vacation in Estes Park Colorado. As we were driving around I put the finishing touches on it. I got one of the best compliments of my life as Ray wore it around as we were touring a lake: A random tourist stopped my brother to take a picture of him wearing it. DEAR GOD... DOES IT GET ANY BETTER? Seriously, an unintended compliment like that is balm to this knitter’s soul!

Oh, and interestingly enough, we were staying at Valhalla Resort when I finished it.