Help me, knitting, you're my only hope

[onlysmallwings]

Well, maybe not my only hope, but you're my first and best shot.

A friend of mine went to Dublin for work recently and brought home a present of ~250 yards (3 50g balls) of yarn for me! :D It's Studio Donegal Aran Tweed in the Olive colorway.

I have no idea what to make of this. I've never actually made something for myself. And I have two scarves on needles at the moment that are presents. (Only one has a deadline. The other is for a very patient friend.)

I was considering fingerless gloves, but the yarn is wool. I'm not sure how itchy that's going to be. So, suggestions?

Comments

[indeliblesasha]

I also recommend a hat! But my favorite is Kami. I made one out of Knitpicks City Tweed Aran for my brother, on US8 needles. It was so divine. It probably won't use all your yarn either, because I didn't use even a whole ball of the City Tweed. (And then you can use the leftovers for Just Enough mitts to match.)

Also I just used another ball of the City Tweed in blue to make myself a Better Bucket hat. I used US5 needles and used exactly the entire ball, I had just enough to weave in my ends. (But I cut it really close and got creative in the decreases when I realized I was running out.) If you scroll through the projects you'll find some modifications that will require more yarn, and might be perfect for the amount you have. (I am planning to use the rest of the ball from my brother's hat to make an icord to add to my hat. His was done in brown, and I think it's going to look super cute.)

You can also make a bag, or a purse, or some slippers, or some leg warmers, or some lacy cuffs, or a different kind of hat. (not all of those patterns are free, but I figured the inspiration might help. :)

This is one of my favorite patterns, Abalone. It's free and super easy to customize. Without knowing your size I don't know if you have enough, but I do know that the garter edging winds up using more than the body in many cases, so you could do the body in your tweed, and then edge it in something complimentary. (Or do stripes, which is what I did.)

Hope that gives you some ideas!

[onlysmallwings]

Holy crap, that's a lot of links! :D Thanks!

I never even thought about slippers. Perhaps if the gloves don't work out. (I'm really hopeful for the gloves, can you tell?)

Thanks again!