I am really getting into this knitting thang this year!
I knitted myself 2 Thorpe earflap beanies (Ravelry Link) over the last couple of weeks.

I’m still learning a lot with knitting and try to learn something new with each pattern I choose – these were my first attempt at doing something ‘top down’.
These were a heap of fun to knit- and the Malabrigo Chunky I think is now my new favourite yarn (I think I say this each time I try something new, but the Chunky is going to be hard to beat!)
Of course, it helped that knitting these in a chunky yarn made them knit up crazily fast!

I love earflap beanies- almost enough to make me wish I lived someplace cold- almost. Still, they are nice to have for travelling (yes, they were originally knit for Japan next month) and camping:)

The first one I knit fairly tight with US9 needles so it should be lovely and warm:

In Frank Ochre Malabrigo Chunky, and Azul Profundo Malabrigo worsted for the crochet edging and braids.

I finished up my second Thorpe last night:

This time I knitted it with US10 needles, so it came out a little bigger and not as tight- very comfy!
Yarn: Dark Earth & Frank Ochre (Stripes- using the yarn left over from the first hat) Malabrigo Chunky: