in the years before i started hand knitting regularly, i made small unintimidating projects like scarves and caps and small hand knit toys.  i never thought i had what it took to stick with a more serious project like a sweater.  i tried knitting myself one when i got out of college, and never even finished the back.  before i moved to New York, i started making some simple caps for Ian, inspired by these two acrylic caps from the 70's.  he used to wear them when we were in college in the early 80's, and when we started dating many years later, i was excited to see them again.  they were made for him by a girlfriend's color blind grandmother.  i think that her complete disregard for matching colors is what gives them their charm.  i am much too self conscious to ever achieve that sweet unschooled look, although i have often tried.