Ski hat is done!

I have finished a super cool ski hat of my own design. It was a simple pattern that I made up as I went along. I really wanted some cables, and I picked the yarn to match my orange Zara scarf. Can't wait to try these out for looks when I am in Argentina!

Some details: Stampato Extra (about 1.5 balls).

Pattern starts on DPNs in size 5; after working the original ribbing, it switches to DPNs in size 8.

Cast on 110 sts. Work 9 rows of *(k4, p2, k2, p2). Repeat from * through the 110 sts.

Rows 10-20: Switch to the size eights and cable fwd two of the four knitted sts in the k4 of the pattern. Work this for 10 rows.

Row 20: Work cable as before, but on the ribbing k2, dec so that you have what looks like a k1. Work this for 10 rows.

Row 30, Work cable as before, but on both of the ribbing p2, dec so that you have what looks like a p1. Work for 10 rows.

Row 40: Work cable as before, except turn the k4 beginning into a k2 by working a decrease into the cable fwd. What I mean by this is when you have the 2 sts on the cable needle, work them together (1 dec) and then work the 2 rem sts together (1 dec). The pattern then becomes *(cable 2 dec, p1, dec the k1 and p1 together). This makes sense when you do it: you are shooting to decrease the pattern from a 4 strand cable with ribs between to a 2 strand cable with 2 purls between. Work this for 3 rows.

Row 43: Decrease the 2 purls between the cables and continue to decrease until you have just a few stitches on the needles. Bind off by pulling the yarn end through. (Sorry I didn't take better notes on the ending, but you'll work it out.)

This hat is fitted like a skullcap, which I love!

Crinkle progress

Yes, thanks to two long train rides to DC last weekend, the back of crinkle is finished.

And even better, I have cast on and done a little of the left front.

Ski hat!

Hi! I have finally cast on what I think is the right amount of stitches for my ski hat. What I'm not showing pictures of is the three prior cast ons and subsequent froggings that occurred because the ribbing was far too tight for my head.

Love the look of this yarn so far...

Crinkle progress

The Crinkle is moving along pretty fast. I have not knit on such small needles before, and was worried that I might not have this for a November event, but I don't think that that's a worry. I've gotten a few inches done this week and now am chugging away.

Memorizing the pattern was no problem, and figuring out how to make the eyelets in the right place as I increased was not too difficult. This picture is of the bottom of the back.

Midwest Moonlight Scarf

My first finished project for the blog. You may be wondering why a wool scarf and ski hat are in my summer projects, but I am planning for a ski trip to Argentina in mid-August. A girl needs to make sure her apres look is up to date.

Here's a shot of the finished scarf. It took me about three weekends to complete. It was a good project for remembering what yarnovers feel like and look like, and how not to lose your place in the pattern. And I LOVE the color!

Works in Progress - Ski Hat

Here's a quick shot of some beautiful yarn. I'm going to be making this into a hat that will go with the Midwest Moonlight scarf. I'm not a fan of hats and scarves that match completely. Instead, I want them to coordinate. The variegation in this yarn is beautiful, and matches the orange Zara perfectly.

This yarn is Needful Yarn's Stampato Extra, which is 100% Australian Merino, made in Italy. The color is 8004.

Works in Progress - Crinkle

I have started "Crinkle" from Rowan 39, in color 724 ("bubbles"). Here's a shot of the cotton glace package. This excited me enough to take a picture because it's my first actual sweater. I've always been a scarf or baby booties knitter only, so taking the leap to make something to wear is a big one.