Lizzie's Bday Hat

My youngest turned 22 on Thursday. Happy Birthday Hat!
(click photo for big)

     

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Labrador, Lagoon colorway
Started/Ended: 14-15 Feb 2008
Needles: 10
Pattern: Lifestyle Hats (swatchless pattern, for free), knit in stockinette until size = 90% Lizzie's head, then K1P1 for body of hat; Garter edge for a bit, then EZ sewn bind off.

Ruth Sørensen, How to Kauni Video: Brown/Grey Cardi

Video for you


Videos: How to make the above cardi


Four Short Videos, each about 2 minutes, watch in order

Ruth Sørensen Class

Took a class yesterday from the happy Dane, Ruth Sørensen (of Kauni Cardi fame - opens a PDF for the cardi).

Here are a couple of snapshots from the class (click for big):

     

The class was about designing with Kauni Danish yarn - a fine weight shetland wool that has very very long color repeats (take that, Noro!) When you knit with two colorways, it looks like you worked really hard, when in fact, you only did a little.

Bonus for the class was that Ruth is geniuine, funny, and a very generous person and makes one want to take her home for dinner. She also taught me a thing or two about designing with Excel! More pictures and examples to follow. This is a fascinating process that builds on my latest obsession: working two yarns with subtle color changes.

 

View more photos and couple of short videos (see next blog entry for video links) where Ruth describes how to create a garment from the class (and be forgiving, I was using a point and shoot camera).  

Old Hats, New Model

 Marie D. modeled a lot of my hats and I have new pictures! As always, click for big! Thank you Marie, you look great!

        

     

   

Pixies Rise Again!

Started: 15 Jan 2008
Finished: 25 Jan 2008

This hat was inspired by several short row Nordic berets I’ve seen. Building on my current obsession (started by Jared Flood, damn him) theme of using two subtle colorways to create a color dance.

Knit in garter stitch, in short rows with a brim and a “poof” factor. However, as I knit it became very apparent that gauge lied! I was not going to get a beret that would fit a human head. So, I stopped at wedge 5, seamed the thing, and “fulled” the hat until the brim would fit me.

I got a fun little beret with a point! I'm a pixie, you're a pixie....

At a reader's request, here is a bare-bones pattern for this garter beret. Click to download. (PDF file)
If you knit it, please let me know! If there is demand, I'll create a proper pattern.

K1 P1, You're Dead

Hat Attack (modeled on Sock Wars) - see the rules below
Pattern received 9 Feb 6:20am Pacific Time
Yarn had been procured and swatched, ready to engage at 6:20am
Hat finished: 10pm 9 Feb

Target, prepare to die! The package will be tracked, I shall see when you accept your fate!

  

 

Hat Attack! Rules, by the Oracle

Assignment
• Your assignment is to kill your target by knitting and mailing to them a specific hat, as quickly as possible.
• When murdered, your target must post their death on the Yahoo! Group by updating their status in the Battle Roster (database). Then the dead must send to you, immediately, their work in progress and target’s details so you may assassinate their intended target.
• Remember: you are also someone’s target…

Pattern
The pattern will be provided by The Oracle in February 2008. Murderous hats must be knit in the weight and size specified. The hat will be Advanced Beginner level. For a greater challenge, you may customize your weapon with colorwork or beads.
Delivery
Delivery may be made any way you choose. An effective assassin will request proof of mailing.
Rules
• This battle is orchestrated by the Oracle. She is all‐knowing and unable to be killed.
• This is for entertainment purposes only.
• You may not take yourself or others too seriously.
• Bloodshed will be in the form of yarn and words.

Update 24 February 2008: My "victim" died by my "weapon" within the first week of the hat attack, when she received the hat. I, on the other hand, have not been "killed" and am still awaiting my death (in the form of a mailed hat.) Such silliness!