some of my favorite fall knits

It's upon us! Fall, I mean.

n Chicago, weather transitions like to tease us (and mess with our heads, quite literally), undulating between 90 degree days and 58-and-rainy days, until -- in this case -- the cool, crispness of autumn truly sets in.

Already, I've donned knitted items--usually my go-to transition piece: the Riverside Cowl

(C) amachael via Flickr

The pattern is written for two sizes, using Malabrigo Arroyo, which is one of my favorite yarns. It's super soft and the colors are gorgeous.

Pretty soon, I'm going to have to pull out my Roscoe Village Hat. Knit up in Malabrigo Worsted, this is squishy and simple to knit and wear with everything.

The Grasshopper Hat is also a fall mainstay of mine. It's a bit more textured than the Roscoe Village Hat, knit up in garter stitch with your favorite light worsted weight yarn.

What are your favorite transitional pieces?

Quick Pre-Fall Knitting Projects

If you're anything like me, then you've been knitting up a storm all summer. No? You don't like to work with worsted weight wool draped across your lap in 98 degree weather? Pssh.

Well, fine. But fall and winter are quickly approaching. And mixed in with the humid weather, I've already experienced a few chilly, blustery nights here in the Windy City.

And those nights really make me want to knit. I'm sure they make you want to knit too.

To capitalize on those random, brisk pre-fall evenings, you should take up a few portable projects so your wardrobe is prepared when full-fall sets in. It's coming fast, promise.

The Roscoe Village Hat is a great pre-fall knitting project. You can knit one for yourself, your significant other, your kids, or even check a holiday gift off your list (yes, I'm really getting ahead of myself now).

I knit up a few of these hats last fall for my boyfriend. Guess what? He wears them. Yup. That means they're man approved. That's a hard-won achievement in my household. 

Roscoe Village Hat: $5.00 buy now

Featured FO: Twinkerbell's Roscoe Village Hat

Today's Featured FO is Twinkerbell's Roscoe Village Hat.

(C) Twinkerbell

Twinkerbell (Celeste) cast on for the medium size and added an extra repeat of dot stitch to create her version of the Roscoe Village Hat. She used Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Ravelry Red.

(C) Twinkerbell

Thanks for sharing, Celeste!

All images used with permission.

Update: Roscoe Village Hat KAL

I have a few lovely FOs to share with you from the Roscoe Village Hat KAL:

by crazyl FlickrThe first is from Lauren (crazyl on Ravelry), who used Malabrigo Rios in Azules. Gorgeous!! Lauren also recently knit another one of my patterns - the popular Rasta Neckwarmer.

by mercourier The second Roscoe Village Hat FO was knit by Sam (mercourier on Ravelry - and the genius behind The Wool Dispensary). Sam knit her RV Hat out of Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Tortuga.

Tortuga and I go way back ;) I just love the lighting in Sam's photos.

by mercourierAnd I figured as long as I'm sharing, that I'd drop in a few photos from my recent work trip to Geneva, Switzerland.

For the past 1.5 years I've been working to help put together 2 concurrent events - the LESI Global Technology Impact Forum and Invent for Humanity.

I'm thrilled that the time for them has finally come and I get to experience Switzerland for the first time while meeting some exceptional people.