Let's hear it for the crusades!

We're going to gloss right over the two paragraphs I wrote (then cut) yesterday and dwell on the positive: I finished my cold-snap-worthy hat. The plan for this balaclava was to knit a giant tube closed at one end, wash it in hot water, and cut a hole for my face.

Well, I made it too big, so I had to wash it about four times and turn it into shoe leather before it fit. Then I messed up with the scissors and cut the opening so low my neck will be exposed to the elements. Further adjustments for my glasses mean it's a bit wider on the sides than ideal for the conditions in which it's meant to protect me, though I did manage to keep a nice squarish top to cover my forehead. On the bright side, it was still so ridiculously long I was able to cut slits into the sides for my shoulders, leaving a wide swath in back and a nice curve for the part that hangs in front.

"I was thinking of sewing cat ears on the top," I said, modeling it for the nearest human and hoping my own opinion would be contradicted. I got silence, then hysterical giggling. "Exactly," I pressed on. "Because I knew it would look stupid, and I thought it might as well be funny too." "No no," nearest human said. "You need a big red cross on the back of it." It's true. I will wear this hat and become one of the knights who say 'ni', minus the antlers. But at least I can get back to my writing.