Lucy From Galway

Somewhere on the 'net' I spotted Carina's Spencer's  Lucy Hat and fell in love.  From the Special Issue, Light Up Winter  Knitscene, it was one of those patterns that caused me to run right out and purchase the magazine.  No small feat for me as #1 - I have a K- Zillion too many knitting magazines already and #2 - I find magazines of any kind too expensive for my taste.  But Lucy made me do it.

 Pattern:  Lucy Hat from Special Issue Light Up Winter Knitscene

Yarn;  Galway Green Heather Worsted- about 60 G

Malabrigo - small amount in co ordinating colour

Needles: - 4mm

At least I was able to counter the price of the magazine by shoppping from my stash.  And for that I say 'Thank you Sue'.   Sandy B's sister Sue often sends   some of her    bags and bags of her 'I'm-no-longer-interested-in-this-yarn' leftovers down to the Meaford Knit Group.    Last time she did that I scored a ball of Galway Worsted in a gorgeous heathered green  and a ball of co-ordinating Malabrigo.  I know.  Who the heck gives away Malabrigo?  My farm upbringing told me to 'not look a gift horse in the mouth' so - Malabrigo for Brenda.   Both perfect for the Lucy Hat.

An easy pattern with some short rowing near the beginning to create the flap, and an interesting crown decrease.  The crown is shaped by dividing the stitches into 5 sections and decreasing once in each section,  every round.  Different from the more common crown shaping which is to divide into  8 sections and decreasec one each section,  every other round. 

The pattern says to turn the flap up, onto the side of the  hat,  and tack into place.  I haven't got that far yet because I wanted to see if it might look better to wear the flap differently than suggested.  In front, cap-like, perhaps?

 

Or down to warm one ear.

 Or maybe, just as the designger intended.

A nice, quick project to celebrate the conclusion of what seemed like the never ending saga of Vignette.  And to spread the price of the magazine over more projects, I think  I might make the Friday Slippers.

Red Infinity Combo

With 341 yards of yarn on the ball of Marble Chunky used for my Red Infinity Scarf, there was enough left, after finishing the scarf,  to knit a hat.

 

 Pattern:  My Own

Yarn:  James Brett Marble Chunky.  One Ball

Needles 6.5mm - A half size bigger than recommended on the ball band.

 Some time ago, I  downloaded a top-down hat recipe from ravelry, called  Lifestyle Top Down Hats, No Swatch Needed by Charisa Martin Cairn.    The frustrating experience of dealing with multiple, double-pointed needles on a very few number of stitches has made me shy away from knitting top-down hats.  But Charisa suggests casting on with 2 circs.  What a great idea.  It works like a charm. 

From there, I simply copied the stitch patterns of stockinet, reverse stockinet and K2, P2 used in the scarf.  In no time, this chunky hat was finished.

When knitting a scarf 'lengthwise' one is never sure - unless your math is much better than mine - of the finished length of the scarf.  And so it was with the Red Infinity.  I cast on 200 stitches hoping to achieve the navel-grazing length noticed on the Toronto fashionistas.  Instead,  my infinity grazes a totally different body part.  Not one I am willing to name here for risk of recceiving off-colour spam messages.  See for yourself.

Nonetheless, it looks great wrapped twice around the neck.

Now, IMHO,  I have the perfect, young-lady gift for our family Christmas swap. 
 

Thursdays Are For Knit Group

While it wasn't dinner out and knit night at Riverside Yarns like last Thursday, knit group today was still fun.

 I brought Vignette along and  seems it was a hit.  It fits and looks good on Bonnie, worn over white.  

It fits and looks good on Sharon, worn over maroon. 

 

See Jean sitting behind Sharon?  See her knitting?  She is yarn bombing. We all get requests for knitted items, but Jean's neighbour's request was specific.  He asked for  knitted covers for his tree stumps.  

 She seems happy to oblige.

And Ruth, wearing the latest trend in scarves - hers with sparkles and knit for her by her sister - finished the baby jacket that has been on her needles for a few weeks.

 Last I saw it, she had the teeniest ball of yarn remaining with  yet one sleeve left to knit.  Never did I think that she would get one complete  sleeve from the itsy ball of yarn she showed me last week.  But she did.

Now she is on to a sweater for a little boy.  Knit in 2 pieces, front and back identical in a  T shape,  it is, Ruth says, an easy knit.

Ingrid hidden by her knitting - oh we have all done that, Ingrid -  is well on her way to completing her latest skirt.  This one in Americo Cotton Flamme. 

 

You've got time Ingrid.  It won't be cotton wearing weather for a few months now.

Wilma is almost finished her cowl.  Knit with Cabin Fever's Fingering Weight yarn laced with Sterling silver, we decided it is a 'dressy' cowl.  Being Lilac in colour, Ingrid has already hinted that it would suit her.

Thursdays have been big nights in my life lately and it is now  way past  my PJs and knitting time as I write this post. Time to end the day with needles in my hands.