Archives for November 2010

 
Nothing makes my kids happier than a new hat. My newest design, Huaraz, is perfect for this crowd. It  has something for everyone and every mood.

 
My dancing girls love earflaps and pompoms.

The Lad finds shorter earflaps and no pompoms a bit more reserved and perfect for bitter NYC winds.

The no earflap version works nicely for a dressier look and a more contemplative mood.

Instructions are given for all four versions – pompoms are optional and may be added to the crown, to the earflaps or both.

If you opt for no pompom on the top, the cable pattern makes a pretty crown.

 

Huaraz is worked from the top down making it easy to customize the depth of the crown. Worked at the gauge given it will fit anywhere from 20-23.5" head. Small adjustments to the gauge will make the hat larger or smaller. Of the four versions that I made the white hat in Malabrigo Twist is the largest and will fit a very large head. The grey hat worked in -->Yarn Candy Sweet Fiber Cashmerino Worsted --> is the smallest and would fit an older child or small adult. The red hat (Brooklyn Tweed Shelter) and teal hat (Patons Classic Wool) are worked at the gauge and size indicated in the pattern.

Instructions for the cable pattern are given in both written and charted form.

As always a huge thank you to my test knitters – Kim, Liz, Regina, Karen, Rebecca & (Raverly Link)

Sizes: One size
Measurements:  19” circumference at brim, will fit up to 23.5” head
Yarn: White Hat (long rounded earflaps): Malabrigo Twist, 100% Merino, 150 yards per 100 g skein, color: #63 Natural, 2 skeins
Teal Hat (long pointed earflaps): Patons Classic Wool, 100% Pure New Wool, 223 yds per 100 g skein, color: Jade Heather, 1 skein
Red Hat (short rounded earflaps): Brooklyn Tweed Shelter, 100% Targee-Columbia Wool, 140 yards per 50 g skein, color: Long Johns, 1 skein
Grey Hat (no earflaps): -->Yarn Candy Sweet Fiber Cashmerino Worsted -->, 80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon, 200 yards per 115 g skein, color: Paper Birch, 1 skein
**Yarn amounts will vary depending on how many pompoms you choose to add, try making them in a contrasting color
Gauge: 21 sts & 28 rows = 4”/10cm on larger needles. in cable pattern, blocked
Needles: 1 set of 5 US 9/5.5mm DPN’s or size to obtain gauge
Other Materials: cable needle (CN), tapestry needle, US size E/3.5mm crochet hook, optional pompom maker

Price: $6.00 US

 

The contemplation of a new hat is serious business.

 

It takes time to assess whether or not the style of the hat is right for your image, aesthetic, hairstyle.

 

You ask a trusted friend if they think it's the look for you.

 

Oh, the joy of that moment of clarity when you realize you love your new hat.

All you can do is DANCE!!

 

 

"Huarez" Hat coming soon with 4 different options from no ear flaps to do-your-ears-hang-low-and-have-pompoms ear flaps.

 

The Moody Kerchief has been a very special project for me. It was designed in honor of my friend Justine – creative spirit, generous soul and owner of the inspiring LYS/pottery studio, Angelfire Studios.

I have mentioned Justine several times here on TTL. I've shown photos of her store and her gorgeous son modeled the Pembroke Vest for me when he was a tiny lad.

Justine’s husband, Ted, was in a serious accident many weeks ago. He remains in the hospital recovering from his injuries. All proceeds from the sale of this pattern will go to Justine and her family. It is my sincere hope that it brings her comfort during a very difficult time.

I used The Fiber Company's Organik & Savannah yarns for my shawl. Both are delicious yarns, just as we'd excpect from the Fiber Company. Thank you to Courtney & Kate of Kelbourne Woolens for sending them to me. When I visited Angelfire Studios last week I saw that she has a skein or two of the Organik in the color that I used (Fjord). Justine doesn't stock Savannah but she does carry several other beautiful yarns from The Fiber Company along with many other yarns that would work well for this DK toWorsted weight shawl. If you'd like to further support the family, I recommend you purchase yarns from Angelfire Studios, either by going into the store or by purchasing online. Justine even ships overseas.

Moody Kerchief

Finished Measurements: 42” across top
edge, 14” from top edge to base of curve
Yarn: MC: The Fiber Company Savannah, 50% Wool, 20% Cotton, 15% Linen, 15% Soya, 160 yds per 50g skein, Color: Chambray, 1 skein
CC: The Fiber Company Organik, 70% Merino, 15% Baby Alpaca, 15% Silk, 98 yds per 50g skein, Color: Fjord, 1 skein
Gauge: 14 sts & 24 rows = 4”/10cm in stockinette, blocked.
Needles: 1 set of US 10/6 mm or size to obtain gauge
Other Materials: tapestry needle, 10 stitch markers

Price: $6.00 US

Thank you to my test knitters – Pam, Kat, & Michelle!

We love you Justine!!

 

Several weeks ago Sofie demanded announced that she'd very much like to have a slouchy hat that wasn't a beret. She also requested a neutral color that could be worn with anything in her wardrobe. Being an indulgent mother, at least when it comes to demands for hand-knits, I complied. A week or so before I had purchased two skeins of Schoppel-Wolle Cashmere Queen and it was sitting on my desk just waiting for the right project. Since I'd seen a sample of this decadent yarn knit up in the store I knew it would be soft and drapey – perfect for a slouch.

I wanted to use cables but also knew that too many cables would make a firmer fabric than I wanted. So I worked the body of the hat mainly in stockinette and added a column of cable to keep things interesting.  Since Sofie's medium sized hat only used one skein plus about 10 yards of a second skein and I really like to have matching mitts/mittens to go with my hats, I made a pair of mitts for Sofie using the remaining yarn.

Cashmere Queen is listed as a sport weight yarn on Ravelry but I think it might be closer to DK weight. I worked the hat at a gauge of 4.75 sts to the inch so it should be fine worked in anything up to a light worsted. Just be sure to make a swatch to see that the fabric is drapey enough at the required gauge. As always I recommend blocking your gauge swatch. I made a second Sofie's Slouch using Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd's Wool  and it worked out beautifully.

Sofie's Slouch and Sofie's Mitts would make lovely, quick holiday gifts or a treat for yourself just in time for the cold weather. The patterns are available individually or as an ebook.

Sofie's Slouch

Sizes: S, M, L

Finished Measurements: 18[19, 20.5]” at brim 11” from brim to crown

Yarn: Schoppel Wolle Cashmere Queen, 35% Cashmere, 45% Merino, 20% Silk, 153 yds/140m per 50g skein, color: 9205 – 1[2, 2] skeins (my size M used only a tiny bit of the second skein.)

Gauge: 19 sts & 27 rows = 4”/10cm on larger needles. in stockinette, blocked.

Needles: 1 set of US 5/3.75mm DPN’s
1 set of US 7/4.5mm DPN’s or size to obtain gauge

Other Materials: cable needle, tapestry needle, stitch markers in two colors, color “A” – 2, color “B” – 4

Price: $6.00

 

Sofie's Mitts

Sizes: S, M, L

Finished Measurements: 6[7, 8]” circumference at palm, 5” from end of cuff to top of mitt

Yarn: Schoppel Wolle Cashmere Queen, 35% Cashmere, 45% Merino, 20% Silk, 153 yds/140m per 50g skein, color: 9205 – 1 skein

Gauge: 21 sts & 30 rows = 4”/10cm on larger needles. in stockinette, blocked.

Needles: 1 set of US 4/3.5mm DPN’s
1 set of US 6/4mm DPN’s or size to obtain gauge

Other Materials: cable needle, tapestry needle, stitch markers in two colors, color “A” – 2, color “B” – 2

Price: $6.00

 

Sofie's Slouch & Mitts  eBook

Price: $9.00

Thank you to my test knitters & Stacie!