FO Friday- A very cunning hat

Netflix has recently made its way to the UK. Fed up with watching endless repeats of the Simpsons (I do like the Simpsons, but don't need to watch each episode five times) we signed up.

Our first new TV addiction was Warehouse 13, now eagerly awaiting series 3. Next up was Firefly, it seems popular on Ravelry so I thought we should give it a go. The first episode was a little disappointing, but the rest proved to be excellent watching. We flew through the episodes and ended up ordering the film and comics from Amazon.

To anyone who knits and knows the show this will be redundant. In one episode a character called Jayne gets sent a handknit hat by his mum. Watching it my boyfriend said he would wear such a silly hat if I were to make one. This was a big occasion as he has never agreed to wear anything knitted before. In fact, it was almost a request!

I couldn't find the right yarn to buy so I dyed up some double knit Bluefaced Leicester, about 35g in each of the three colours I needed. 

It is based on the pattern My Jayne Hat by Erika Barcott. I worked with the yarn double, sized for medium. I worked until the yarn ran out rather than the specified number of rows. The ear flaps are worked over 14 stitches and decreased until there was one stitch left, then the yarn was pulled through.

So, does he wear it?

Unfortunately not, it is too small. Since it used up all the yarn for the yellow and bright orange I need to shop for some or dye up 200g next time. Fortunately it fits me nicely (insert evil laugh here). I have been enjoying wearing it, after all

"A man walks down the street in a hat like that you know he ain't afraid of anything"

FO Friday- Goldilocks hood

Another one skein project. It did take longer than the weekend, but there is a reason for that. The pattern and yarn combo would be a perfect weekend project if it all went smoothly.

Yarn: Rowan colourscape chunky.

This is like a much nicer Noro with long colour changes and interesting colours. The yarn and finished fabric is softer than I expected, it is a 100% lambswool but not too itchy. It does have some bits of vegetation but they pick out ok, annoying but not the end of the world. I am not the biggest fan of singles in general as they do break if you pull too hard, especially when it comes to sewing ends in. I had the same problem here, maybe I just need to be nicer to my yarn!  

I picked the pattern Capucine by Adela Illichmanova on 5mm needles.

This version was too small (you see where the Goldilocks thing is going?). I thought about just making it small and using it as a present for a child, but I wanted the hat for me. So I frogged it.

Since I wanted to use up all the yarn I had I figured working from the top down might be the way forward. Top down hats are super for this, you just go until the yarn runs out and call it done, much like toe up socks.

Anyway. I used the pattern Ponytail Pi hat by Katherine Lane Hughes to start the hat. This pattern makes a cross shape on the crown by increasing in four lots of two. I would use the method again for top down hats as you don't end up with the pointy nipple bit lots of top down hat patterns get.

I knitted away until I reached the stitch count I thought would match the size needed. It didn't. This hat was too big!

I tried putting smaller dpns in the hold the stitches so I could rip back. Apparently I have some kind of mental problem where I can't pick up a straight line of stitches as the needles ended up all over the place.

Instead I was brave, pulled the needles out and just ripped until  was near the right place. For the final round I pulled the stitches out one at a time, picking them up with a dpn as I went.

The wool yarn made this quite easy, the stitches held well even without the needles in. I wouldn't put it down and wander off mid frog but they didn't drop out when they shouldn't. Eventually the right round was back on the needles.

A few knit rounds, followed by a garter stitch band worked flat. Increases at the edges made the shape and a wide ribbed section finished off the capucine style.

Three giant tassels finished off the hat. This was a great way to use up all the yarn left in the skein.

This hat is just right!

FO Friday- Little sun hat

I did a better job of picking my project last weekend, it used up a ball of stash yarn and I managed to get it done in the weekend so it was not around to distract me from work (yes, I know, I should learn to have self control!). 

Pattern: Strawberries and peaches hat by Kasia Borsani

Yarn: Rowan silk cotton

Needles: 4mm dpns for top of hat, 3.5mm circular for brim

This is a lovely pattern, very simple and quick to make. I ran out of yarn on the brim, so finished at 4 rounds and did a plain cast off, it looks ok so I am going with it.

I can't honestly say I am a fan of the yarn, in fact I suspect I don't really like cotton yarns but I might give them one more try, perhaps see what the dishcloth thing is all about. Once knitted up it is ok, but it is somewhat splitty and crunchy in the ball.

The decreases make a cute spiral to the top of the crown.

This pattern requires a provisional cast on. I have done this once before so it was good to try it out again. I found the crochet chain the easiest method by far. Trying to do loops onto a second needle or scrap yarn ended up with odd sized loops that were really quite messy.

The crochet chain makes nice neat loops, maybe even a tiny bit too tight, but they seem ok once worked from the other direction.

The online tutorial I used as a refresher suggests tying a knot at the end of the scrap yarn once the chain is worked so you know which end will unzip easily when it comes to picking up the provisional stitches. This is a genius tip! Oh, I found the link, here it is, lovely and clear with plenty of photos.

I have to say, this week I REALLY want to do all the crafty things. I am in the mood to spin and knit lots of patterns in pretty yarns. I especially want to knit some socks as I have not done that for a while. We shall see if the will power holds out, I do have a single skein pattern picked out that should be my weekend knitting. 

FO Friday- Koolhaas hat

I wanted to try Knitpicks Wool of the Andes to see if it would be any good for a jumper. I bought two balls and used them to make a hat. There is probably enough left to make some short mitts.

Pattern: Koolhaas by Jared Flood
Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in currant
Needles: 5mm circular, magic loop style

I have had this pattern in my Ravelry favourites for ages and finally got my hands on it when I purchased the Interweave accessories e book when they had a special offer (it cost about 10 cents!). Since it used worsted weight it seemed like the perfect pattern for trying out the yarn.

It is a lovely pattern, the cables do slow it down somewhat. I tried a few rounds of cabling without a needle but still find it easier to just use a spare dpn as a cable needle. The most effective way of not using one seems to be to move the stitches for the cable around and then knit them as a second action. Doing it all in one go just leads to dropped stitches.

The reason this pattern would be worth the purchase has to be the decreases, they make the pattern flow nicely to the top of the hat.

I do like the yarn but have not decided if it will be good for a sweater yet. It is very affordable and 100% wool. It is also softer than I expected although obviously not the softest yarn I have ever used. The stitch definition is pretty good, the cables stand out nicely on the hat. I think I need to make a cuff or mitts out of the leftovers to see how it is when worn next to the skin for a while and to see how much it pills. 

Stitch pattern close up, it opens out when it is being worn.

FO Friday- Brioche baby hat

Another FO that has been done for ages but has been hanging around waiting for its turn on FO Friday (like months).

Pattern: Brioche Baby Hat by Connie Carroll

Yarn: Knitpicks Stroll

Needles: 3.0mm

Mods: I know I altered this a little, but it was so long ago that I can't remember, I am fairly sure I made it shorter than in the pattern.

This a nice pattern to work, and makes a very cute baby hat. The brioche stitch is not difficult, but I think it is much more effective when worked with two colours, in a single colour it just looks like a slightly odd looking rib (you know when you look at something and it looks odd, but you can't work out why?).

I love the yarn, it is one of my favourite sock yarns so far- machine washable, not too expensive, lovely colours, good fibre content, its only downfall is the ribbing on my sock could be springier, but that may be to do with my gauge on those. I am considering ordering some more as I am about 3 skeins short of having enough sock yarn for my whole alphabet. 

A really terrible photo that shows the stitch but is an awful representation of the colour, it is a lovely bright red.

I have been doing some knitting, and even have a couple of FOs, but mostly I am spinning, today is the TdF challenge day so I will be off to try some Wensleydale locks in a minute.

Scrap down- Northern lights hat

So far I seem to be getting through the leftovers from my A-Z socks. When the socks are done I have been making a blanket square and then finding a small project to use up most of the rest. Anything left over after that goes back into the blanket bag. It means I don't get too many squares from any one yarn.

Pattern: Wasabi baby hat by Mary Hough
Yarn: Cherry tree Hill Supersock in Northern Lights
Needles: 3.5mm dpns
Mods: Stopped increases at 96 sts as it was getting huge. Made hat about 5 inches deep. Worked 6 st i cord for the top.

Someone on Ravelry suggested starting with a 6 st i cord of the length you need and working the increases from there. This seems a more sensible way to work this pattern.
The sizes given in the pattern would make a hat big enough for an adult, thought maybe the given needle size was wrong.

Scrap down- Chunky beret

A thick yarn can result in a large object made quickly.
Pattern: Shroom by Lee Juvan
Yarn: Random super chunky from stash
Needle: 8mm circular

Easy pattern to follow and quick to make. Should maybe have used a bigger needle to get a more flexible fabric as it is a little stiff.

As always I look like a muppet in this hat, I look like a muppet in every hat! This will be one for the gift pile.

FO Friday- Mistake rib hat

This is the last of my Christmas present FOs, a hat for my brother in law. I need to get knitting to have something for next week!
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Pattern: Mistake Rib Beanie by Anne Macri

Yarn: DK superwash merino, immersion dyed with a blue and black mix.

Needles: 3.5mm
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A good pattern, makes a nice unisex beanie type hat. A very simple pattern, I did need to resize it for DK yarn, which I made a mess of the first time and ended up with a HUGE hat!

I mastered the longtail cast on for this one as the green hat for my brother flared oddly at the bottom edge, this is much better. It has become my new Favouite Thing Ever (the capitals are important).
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The first set of decreases is good, the second part looks like normal ribbing, which gives the very top a slightly odd appearance, but I can't think of a better way to do them.
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FO Friday- Fleece to FO, the long distance run

I think fleece to sweater/afghan would be the marathon, but this has to qualify as at least a mile run (and I really hate running!).

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The hand spun hat for my Mum's Christmas present is finished (skip to the last photo to see it), but here is a photo show of the process.

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The first post should be a sheep, but I don't know which sheep it came from, so please see yesterday's post if you would like to see a sheep.

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Next up is the slightly smelly fleece, not too much dirt, but the inevitable sheepy smell!

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Into the wash tub, see earlier posts for quite possibly excessive detail on the washing process.

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Once clean and dry it is the turn of the carders...
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...to make a fluffy roving sausage.
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Through the spinning wheel to make a three ply, thinner than intended at approximately DK weight.
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And into the dye pot because who wants a slightly grubby greyish hat?!
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Finally the knitting!
I used the pattern Just a Beanie by Abby Tohline, worked over more stitches, to account for the lighter weight yarn. I used 132, which fits snugly with just enough stretch.
The decreases were started after 8 inches rather than the recommended 9 (I had forgotten to take the pattern to knit night and took a guess), I like my own hats a little longer, so ears are fully tucked inside but I modelled it and checked on other images and have been reassured it is the right length. For extra cosiness the brim can always be flipped down to cover the ears and neck.
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It took almost all of the 70g skein, so still lots of the red left. Lots of fleece, both washed and unwashed left too so maybe I need to consider that marathon afghan!

FO Friday- Staying on the hat theme

Another Christmas hat, this one I know will be going to my brother. I have seen him wearing hat, although whether he will wear a hand knitted one I don't know, but at least I tried.

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The pattern on this one is A Hat Fit for a Boyfriend by Stephanie Nicole, it is a K3P2 rib then has some nifty decreases. The yarn used is some random superwash merino DK that I had lying around, I dyed it a dark green, which unintentionally came out in a mix of shades, I rather like it, although doubt it can be repeated as it was an accident, might have been something to do with the yarn.

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I seem to have a bit of a problem with hats that the bottom couple of inches ends up looser than the rest, you can see it flares out a little in the photo (no change in gauge or anything, just a bit floppy). Fortunately it should be OK in wearing thanks to the rib.
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I am going to go back to staring at the hat I have on the needles now, it is mostly done, but I think I might want to reknit it (3rd time lucky) as I think it is too big, even allowing for the ribbing to pull in a little it seems huge. 3 weeks to go!

FO Friday- Pour me a hurricane

Another Christmas gift ticked off, although this one has two possible recipients, so I am not sure where it is going.
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The pattern is Hurricane Hat by Andrea Goutier, made using Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk. It took less than two balls, in fact, probably less than one and a half to make a hat that fits me as a snug beanie (jury is out as to whether I have a pea head or a huge noggin (noggin is a head to those unfamiliar with English slang), it really depends what I am wearing). The colourway is greeny-grey and it is so very soft. However, it does shed quite a lot, I looked a bit like I had been petting a cat when I was done knitting, so I will have to give it a good shake out before I wrap it.
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It is a great pattern, very simple to remember, purl stitches spiral around the hat giving a swirly hurricane feel. There is a very important M1 instruction, without that there is no swirliness, so if you try it watch out for that! Being a chunky wool it is also a speedy knit, I finished it in a day (admittedly a day spent mostly knitting, but still)

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As for the other hurricane, follow this link and sing along (safe video, no nekkids, but a couple of bikinis and large moustache). Hmm, quite fancy a cocktail now (not actually now, it is only about 11 in the morning here!)

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Apologies for overuse of brackets in this post :)

Scrap down- Little pixie hat

Another project to use up some leftovers, this time I decided to try out a top down hat pattern. It is toddler/small child size so will be sent to my niece at some point, or maybe tucked in her Christmas present.

The yarn is a superwash merino I dyed for another project, the pattern is Jack Attack by Jenny Raymond. I added an I-cord to the top as it came out somewhat pointy and the bottom edges seem to flare- Pixie styling!

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I am still generating scraps and ends of balls faster than I am using them up. Maybe I need to dedicate a whole month to project scrap down.

FO Monday- Pink hat

This is a rather delayed post from last Friday, my FO for last week is a pink slouchy hat. The yarn was donated for me to make preemie hats, but I have been told they are not needed at the minute. The Loving Hands website collects all sorts of knitted and sewn goodies to distribute to various charities so I decided to make a couple of full sized hats to send.

The yarn is Peter Pan 100% Acrylic from Wendy, I was impressed with how soft and non squeaky this yarn is. It is a little shiny, but for an acrylic yarn it is really pretty good, I would use it again, especially for toys, baby gifts etc. The pattern is Slouchy Lace Hat by Just_A_Girl.

I worked the middle size using 4mm needles and increased one stitch every five (K4 kfb) for the increase round. I worked a few more decrease rounds then pulled the tail through the stitches and tightened it to close the hole.

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I tried this on for size, it fits and it is the only hat I have ever tried that doesn't make me look ill!
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Still no sock yarn blanket square, it has been rather neglected for the last few weeks, but when I have cleared my WIP backlog I will catch up.

FO Friday- Baby set and pinkish square

It has been a busy week this week, hence the quiet in blogland. I have managed to get some crafty stuff in, although I did fall out with ALL my knitting WIPS at the beginning of the week for one reason or another. They are getting back in line now so hopefully I will be able to do some over the weekend.

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The FO for this week is actually from a while back, it is the final baby set I made while stash busting. The recipient is due to arrive some when in the next few weeks so I will be posting it off soon.

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I discovered baby socks are probably more effort to make than they should be, they may be tiny but they still need a lot of stitches. Cute though (and also possibly huge, I don't actually have any idea how big baby feet are!).

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There is always time for a sock yarn blanket square, yet another UKRAK donated yarn, it is a little more pinky in real life.

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I am finding the different weights of sock yarn interesting, I think I like ones that come in at about 350m per 100g the best- the Goldilocks moment of not too thick (doesn't fit in shoes) but not too thin (takes forever and teeny tiny needles)!

FOs- another baby gift and a green square

The FO this week that I am counting towards my 52 in 52 looks rather a lot like the one from last week, same yarn, same patterns. This time I added 10 rounds of ribbing to the top of the slippers to turn them into booties as I have my doubts about how well the slippers will stay on waving feet.

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This week's blanket square is made from entrelac socks leftovers, the lighter shade of green.

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I have been crafting like a mad thing for the last couple of weeks so lots more variety in the FOs for the coming few weeks.

FOs- Preemie beanies and a square

Welcome to FO Friday, recording my items for the 52 projects in 52 weeks challenge and showing them off to the World. Technically the week runs Tuesday to Monday as the 1st of June was on Tuesday, but Friday seems like a good day for posting.
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This week I completed six preemie hats. They are made using the super stretchy preemie hat pattern (on Ravelry or on the loving hands website). They are so very easy to make and take about an hour, which is why there are six of them.
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I used some leftover superwash merino from my pinwheel cardi project, I have since been told super soft acrylic is better, will send these anyway as they are done but will track down some suitable acrylic if I make any more.
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I especially like the dark red with a bright red stripe, looks like a little skater beanie. might make an adult version for myself as there is quite a bit of the merino left to use up.
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The second part of my personal challenge is a sock yarn blanket square a week. Here is the one for this week, it uses the yarn I was sent in my first ever Ravelry swap, it is also conveniently my University colours.
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I also managed to make myself sew in all the ends that were waiting to be done from other squares- it takes almost as long as knitting them!