There's still enough time before the holidays to knit a fun, quick, whimsical hat. The Reykjavik Stocking Cap is designed to match my Reykjavik Mittens pattern, but it has plenty of spunk to stand on its own if you don't have time to make both.
Thank you to my test knitters, Regina, Raquel and Laura for their help and valuable feedback! Thank you also to the awesome participants of the Reykjavik Mitten class I taught at Modern Yarn for inspiring the pattern!!
Sizes: S/M [L/XL]
Finished Measurements: Relaxed circumference at brim 18[20.5]” will stretch to fit up to approx 22[25]” head. Length from bottom edge to tip 22” (excluding pom pom)
Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed, 50% Merino, 25% Alpaca, 25% Rayon, 191 yds/175m per 50g ball,
MC: #151 Bilberry, 1 skein,
CC: #150 Rage, 1 skein.
Needles: 1 set US 4/3.5mm needles or size to obtain gauge
Gauge: 25 sts = 4” in Slipped Moss Stitch
25 sts and 32 rows in stockinette
Additional materials:
7 stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Pom Pom Maker (available in most craft stores)
See it on Ravelry
Price: $6.00 US
I wish I could say what inspired these mitts. But I really don't know. I do know I was itching to use the Brooks Farm Solo Silk that I'd gotten at MDS&W last May. The stitch patterns all just seemed right for the yarn. I suppose I was also yearning for an excuse to use some of the multitude of buttons that I own.
The Katinka Mitts are worked sideways and have functional buttons along the outside edge of the hand. For ease of knitting I have included both charts and written instructions for the stitch patterns. There are two sizes given. The larger size is worked in sport weight, the smaller size is worked in fingering.
Sizes: S/M, M/L
Finished Measurements: Circumference at palm: 6.5(8)”, Length 7 (8.25)”
Yarn:
S/M about 150 yards fingering weight yarn. I used Dream in Color
Smooshy, 100% Merino, 450 yards/411m per 4 oz/113g skein, Happy Forest.
M/L
About 200 yards sport weight yarn. I used Brooks Farm Solo Silk, 50%
Fine Wool, 50% Silk, 400 yards/366m per 4 oz/113g skein, sorry the label didn't have a color name.
Needles: 1 set US 2(4)/2.75(3.5)mm needles or size to obtain gauge
Gauge: 28(23) sts and 56(48) rows =4” in Garter Stitch. Since this pattern is worked sideways, row gauge is very important.
Additional materials:
4 stitch markers
14 – 3/8 to 1/2” buttons
Thread and sewing needle for attaching buttons
Cable needle (CN)
Tapestry needle
Price $6.00 US
A huge thank you to my test knitters Nicole, Aditi, Donna, Jessica, Linda & Stine.
Finally thank you Ashley for suggesting the name.
So here we are already at the end of October. Is it me or did this month fly by? You all have made it a great deal of fun for me. Thank you all so much for your enthusiasm, humor and kind words.
Before I post the final clue I want to tell you about one more prize for our prize drawing. Earlier this week Wendee of Hazel Knits contacted me and offered to donate a skein of her sock yarn to one lucky winner. The winner will have the pleasure of choosing their color from Wendee's amazing line. Thank you so much Wendee!
(Photo used with Wendee's permission.)
To have a chance to win this or any of the other amazing prizes donated by SandraSingh, Laura Nelkin for Schaefer Yarns or Amy of Bad Amy Knits be sure to post a photo of your completed pair of socks in the completed socks thread in the Through the Loops group on Ravelry by November 30, 2009 at midnight. Only socks posted in the correct thread will be entered in the prize drawing.
And now the final clue for the sock! Happy Socktoberfest!!!
ETA: If you have trouble downloading this clue, try switching web browsers. This has worked for others who have had this problem.
Miller's hat is now available. Scroll down for details or to purchase. You will also find it here on Ravelry.
About a year ago, my son's friend "Miller" started pestering me to make a hat for him. Initially I offered to teach him to knit so that he could make his own hat. A creative, artistic person he was enthusiastic about the idea. As the months went by we never quite got around to our knitting lesson. Miller's requests to learn to knit turned back to requests for me to do the knitting. On one visit he showed me a blurry YouTube music video in which the singer was wearing the type of hat he had in mind. From what I could see of the hat it had lush cables, was a little slouchy and swooped down in the back to cover the ears and neck. The concept of this hat floated around at the back of my mind. I liked the challenge of how to combine all of those elements into one pattern while keeping the hat balanced. I also like the puzzle of working out the best way to construct the hat. Eventually Miller and his family moved out of town, but he continued to send my son text messages asking when his hat would be ready, with pleas of "you promised". Miller's persistence paid off and I finally cast on and made his hat. It may be quite different from that original inspiration, I haven't looked at that video since the day he showed it to me. But I hope he likes it anyway. You can see this first version modeled so enthusiastically by my son, "the lad" below.
I really liked the first version of this hat, but I wasn't happy with the yarn I chose. While it is a wonderful yarn, the Spud and Chloe Sweater with it's high cotton content just wasn't right for the pattern. It was painful to work all of those cables with this yarn and the top of the hat didn't have the amount of drape I had in mind for the slouch.
When I posted photos of this hat and mentioned that I'd be making it again with a more appropriate yarn the very talented Sarah of Plucky Knitter fame offered to send a skein of her new Superwash Merino Worsted Weight yarn to work with. What a wonderful yarn this is. It has the fabulous tight twist and subtle sheen of many of her other yarns in a worsted weight. It shows patterning and cables beautifully and gave my hat the slouch I was looking for while keeping the brim sturdy and firm the way I'd envisioned. As always, the color of Sarah's yarn was rich and gorgeous and had just the amount of semi solid beauty to be a designer's dream.
For this version of the hat I used a contrasting yarn on the edging. Sometimes I just can't resist adding an extra bit of color.
Miller still doesn't have his hat. The Lad will eventually give the first version of the hat to him. Since they no longer go to the same school they don't see each other very often. I hope it lives up to his expectations. Especially after such a long wait. Thank you Miller for the inspiration and for your persistence!
Miller's Hat
Size: One Size
Finished Measurements: 19”(48cm) Circumference at brim, will stretch to accommodate up to a 22" head, adjust gauge to further adjust the size.
Gauge: 20 sts = 4” (10cm) in slipped stitch herringbone pattern on smaller needles
Needles: US 6(4mm) & US 7(4.5mm) or size to obtain gauge
Yarn: MC: The Plucky Knitter Merino Superwash Worsted, 100% Superwash Merino, 205 yds per 100g skein, Husker Red, 1 skein
CC: Dream in Color Classy, 100% Superwash Merino, November Muse, about 20 yards
Additional Materials:
Stitch Markers
Cable Needle
Tapestry Needle
This pattern has charts.
Skills needed: Slipped Stitches, Cables, Chart Reading
A special thanks to Heather, Yahaira (be sure to scroll down on her website and check out the photos from her beautiful new book), Dorre, Maryse, Claudia, Andrea, Stacey & Megan.
Price: $6.00 US
With their simple honeycomb stitch pattern Laurie's Beret and Mittens are a wonderful way to showcase beautiful yarn. I've worked them in Knit Picks City Tweed HW as you see in the photo above, or as seen below in the subtle semi solid shades of Farmhouse Yarns Andy's Merino.
Using Aran weight yarn they knit up quickly and are perfect for holiday gifts, or a treat for yourself to wear with your new winter coat.
The patterns are sold individually or as a set.
LAURIE'S BERET
Additional materials:
LAURIE'S MITTENS
Size: Small (will fit a child or small adult),
M/L
Laurie's Beret Price $6.00
Laurie's Mittens Price $6.00
Laurie's Beret & Mittens Set Price $9.00
I'm thrilled that so many of you are sticking with the Mystery Sock. We hit 500 WIPs on Ravelry today! Reagan of Gosh Yarn It wrote to tell me that she's the 500th. Welcome Reagan!Keep posting your photos in the appropriate discussion threads on Raverly. It's wonderful to see so many variations on the same pattern.
We've got more prizes for the KAL. I'll be giving away 10 copies of my Althea sock pattern:
And Amy of Bad Amy Knits has very kindly contributed this whimsical knitting bag for one lucky winner:
For more details on the prizes and how to win see the prize thread on Raverly.
And now, here's. . . .
The Foot!
Download MysterySock09Clues1-4.pdf (878.3K)You will find the week 2 clue below. Before you download, please read this post it has some important information for all who are knitting along.
I have enjoyed seeing photos of all of your cuffs on the Through the Loops group on Ravelry. Don't forget that the only place in the group that you should post the progress photos is in the special thread for that week's spoilers. Here's the thread for this week. Also, if you have not done so already please use the "Spoiler Alert" button below (or a Spoiler Alert button of your choice) as the main photo on your Project Page on Ravelry. It is up to you whether or not you post photos on your blog, but your readers may appreciate a spoiler alert type of warning.
When I first announced this KAL I mentioned that there would be prizes. Winners will be drawn from those who post photos of their finished socks by the end of November. There will be a dedicated thread for these photos. More details to follow. For now you get to see what the prizes will be:
Generously donated by the talented Laura Nelkin, the design director at Shaefer Yarns we have a one of a kind colorway of Nichole. Isn't it gorgeous? Thank you Laura!!!
Generously donated by the lovely Sandra Singh of SandraSingh.com we have a skein of Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in the Spring Frost colorway. Yep, more gorgeousness here. Thank you Sandra!!!
And finally, my contribution to the effort, a skein of Dream in Color Smooshy in Giant Peach.
One last thing before I give you the pattern. I made a wee little error last week, and I hope you will forgive me. Luckily it is very easily corrected. For those of you making the socks with 56 & 72 stitches, I had you rearrange the stitches incorrectly at the end. It's only a matter of moving a few stitches around. More details are given on this week's clue. This does not affect those who are making the 64 st version.
And now, without further ado, the pattern. Happy knitting!
Thanks for your patience. The rectangular version of my Ulmus pattern is finally ready.
The pattern is written for three sizes ranging from a scarf sized 11" wide to a generous 24" wide shawl. The length is easily customized, my sample shawl is 24x68" and instructions are given for working the 68" length. I used most of two skeins of the MC (STR Lightweight in Mossay) for that size.
After getting a few requests from knitters who are uncomfortable with charts, I decided to do both written and charted instructions for this pattern. You will also find instructions on a version of this shawl with fringe in place of the lace border for a more casual look. (I personally love a bit of sassy fringe.)
This lovely version was knit by test knitter Andrea. Thanks Andrea! Hers is worked in Koigu KPPPM and Spud and Chloe Fine. Andrea made the medium size, although hers is a little smaller than the measurements on the pattern since the yarns are a bit finer than STR.
I really like the versatility of a rectangular shawl. It may be worn scarf-like as pictured above or as a wrap. I know we'll be wearing ours quite a bit this fall and winter.
Ulmus Rectangle
Sizes: S,
M, L
Finished Measurements: 11[14, 24]” x 68” (or
desired length)
Needles: US
5 (3.75mm) or size to obtain gauge.
Gauge: 20
stitches = 4”(10cm) in slipped stitch pattern “Body Chart”. Be sure to block your swatch!
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Socks That Rock Lightweight,
100% Superwash Merino, 360 yrds/329m per 4.5 oz/127g Skein.
MC: Mossay
1(2,2) skeins.
CC: Blue Moonstone 1(1, 2) skeins
Additional Materials:
Crochet Hook Size 4mm
Tapestry needle
Scrap yarn (cotton yarn in a
weight similar to the project yarn works best.)
Place Markers
Price: $6.00 US
