I still have much, much more to update on here, but for the moment I am busy with a few Christmas projects. I am making a few of these wonderful hoods to order, the pattern is called Through the Woods and can be found
here. It's a really lovely pattern, easy to follow and I use a chunky yarn. I do not block mine as I like a tighter fit. They usually take me two evenings to make one, if I really crack on. Each one uses approx 300m of chunky yarn using size 8mm needles. And no, you don't need to use circular, I knit mine on straight needles and do the stitching up at the end. You'll see what I mean if you try it.
There's a new post in the card making section :o)