Another Hat

Despite this long row of project bags,

 

each containing yarn and pattern for a sweater (and thanks in advance for the expected   compliments on how tidy my shelf is) I seem to be stuck on hats.


This latest hat was a special request.  Considering that requests don't come along very often, the decision to delay sweater knitting for another short bit of time was a no brainer. 

When dear D-I-L was here over Thanksgiving, she purchased a lovely, new, black, winter coat.  I suggested she needed a bright,colourful scarf to make the outfit a head turner.  My supply happened to be handy and D-I-L modelled them all, took suggestions and decided on this one.

 

Knit a summer ago with Bernat Mosaic and a garter rib, zig zag pattern that  almost ended my knitting obsession - or as D-I-L put it,  was a B - - - h  to knit, this multi-coloured beauty was the perfect choice.

A few weeks ago, came the request for a hat to match.  "No need for the same difficult pattern on the hat, D-I-L said. Cables will do."  Knit a hat as a result of a request? No problem.  Knit a hat with cables?  No Problem.  Remembering the exact colour used?  Problem.  A smart knitter would have recorded the colour number.  But me,with my poor recording habits - well why even bother to look?   

Michael's had a colour that, seen in the ball and with the scarf miles away, looked to me to be  identical.  Knit up, not so much.  Is it bright?  Yes.  Will it brighten a dark winter's day and black coat ensemble?  Yes. Will it match the scarf?  Probably not.  Sorry, dear D-I-L.  And to make matters more embarrassing,  when the hat was finished,  I found, scribbled on the scarf pattern, the colour number. I guess I don't know myself so well afterall.

 Pattern:  Yarn Harlot's An Unoriginal Hat
Yarn:  Bernat Mosaic - not colour 1110 - held double
Needles:  6.5mm - two sets of short-cabled circs
Mods:  Stephanie suggests size 7mm double points to knit the hat.  I don't own size 7mm so knit it with 6.5.  And switched to two sets of circs.  Fewer points to get in the way.



So dear D-I-L, I will keep looking for Bernat Mosaic in Colour # 1110 and you will, hopefully and  eventually, have two hats.

HO HO HO

Knitting for babies is the best thing.  They never complain.  Never roll their eyes.  Never say they don't like it.  They let their knitting aunties be as silly  creative as they like and sleep right through the trying on and wearing of  the latest hand knit to come off the needles.

At least,  at less than a month of age, I am hoping all the above will be Baby Jack's reaction to his new Santa hat.

Pattern: Hurry Down The Chimney Tonight  Hat by Nancy Lutz
Yarn:  Cascade 220 Superwash DK weight

Needles: 3.75 mm
Mods:  I knit the ribbing with a no name fuzzy white yarn purchased in Romni's bargain basement.  I also put a pom pom on the tip of the hat instead of the I Cord tassels.  Most importantly, the 64 stitches that Nancy said to cast on seemed way too small to my eye. So again I referred to my Hat Encyclopedia and cast on 88 as it suggests for the   newborn size in DK yarn.

So cute.  I hope Baby Jack likes it.  Washable wool so Mom will be pleased.

Multiple Minions Man My Manoir

Sorry, couldn't resist that alliteration.

My Minions are done.  Two hats that will either be received with delightful squeals or a great rolling of the eyes.  At ages 11 and 13, I expect the latter.  But no matter. I had fun  knitting them and if the grand kids don't like them I am sure they know some little person who will.

Minon Hats. 

Pattern:  Minion Hats by Lauren Irving

Yarn:  Cascade 220 Superwash DK

Needles: 3.75mm

Mods:  Lauren's pattern is for KW weight yarn but I used DK.  So I simply adjusted the number of stitches to cast on by referring to my hat pattern encyclopedia and then followed Lauren's pattern.

Lauren also had the eye done in half double crochet stitches and I found them too large.  I created mine using single crochet.

I know a Mother  knitter is not supposed to have favourites but I like Mr Two Eyes best.  

Have a fun weekend everyone.  Happy Black Friday shopping to all those who are so inclined.  Instead, Fred and I will be attending the tree lighting celebration in Clarksburg - Thornbury's  twin town  on the banks of the  Beaver River.  Free hot turkey sandwiches for dinner.  Fred likes free.