On My Needles: "Cantaloop" and a Beard Hat

Hey kiddos. I have two small projects going, in addition to my never ending impossible sweater that just sits in the corner and MOCKS me. Um. Sorry, got carried away. Anyway, the first is a lovely pattern on ravelry called Cantaloop. It's my first experience with a lace pattern, and with big ol needles it's knitting pretty quick. Pattern here:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cantaloop

I have been wanting one like this in grey, so that's what I did. This is bernat softee chunky yarn that i got at the thrift store. But I really dig the fun colors so I might knit another one for a summery thing. Moving on.

My dear twin brother requested a knit beard hat, and I'm finally getting around to it. I'm kinda winging it pattern wise. It is loosely based on a simple pattern found in my "knitters handy book of patterns". I'm using some Vanna's choice.