For the past few months, I've been in somewhat of a creative slump when it came to my knitting. I've been hiking, cooking, watching lots of movies with Jacob, having fun with Charlie, reading more... just no fiber arts. No knitting, crochet, spinning... none of that at all. For the most part, I was ok with it. I know that sometimes things can percolate and I certainly wasn't too worried that I'd never want to knit again. Then, suddenly, it got cold.

Uh, yeah. Snow! Funny how the onset of my first winter out of Los Angeles in a decade (and my first snow since I was a child - I am SUCH a California girl!) would give me the urge to bust out some wool, eh?  I know I have lots of WIPs on the needles, but first things first - Jacob needs a hat. He has morning walk duty with Charlie, and for the past couple of weeks, it's been in the 20's when he goes out for a walk, with no indication that any warming is going to happen for a few months. He needs wool! Wool at a tight gauge, with no air holes!

Inspired by the lined hat that Jess made Casey, I'm knitting Jacob a lined beanie (long enough to cover his ears) out of doubled-up Koigu. It should be warm, somewhat wind-proof, and decidedly smooshy. Chocolate brown on the outside, piney green on the inside. Definitely long enough to cover his ears. Simple and quick!

Despite the cold, we've been hiking and enjoying the miles of trails so close to our house. Charlie loves them too (we wanted an outdoorsy, active dog and we sure got one! Oh, we can't wait to take him camping next summer!):

Gotta love being able to walk right from our house to a park with views like this: