January Blues

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would knit something, and then shrink the hell out of it. But here I am, doing just that. Finishing up on holiday promises, I delivered the final two hats today. (Modeled here by Michelle.)

Hat 1:  Fibertrends (first pattern AC-1), ; two stands of Paton Classic Merino Wool (peacock and navy); blocked on Round Crown slant Hat Shapers form. Added a simple garter band in purple wool (felted, post-kntting)

Hat #2: Cloche design cobbled together from lots of patterns, but basically a huge bucket until you felt it. Knit with  Kraemer yarns, "Mauch Chunky; blocked on Bowler Hat Shaper's form. I used a 3 stitch I-cord band (then felted it) to finish it off.

Diamond Head Hat

For gift-giving this recent holiday season I offered to make each of my family a hat of their choosing. My first daughter selected a style I a) had to learn and b) was of a method that took *forever*. It is done. Noro Kureyon varigated yarn (colorway #128, now discontinued) does wonders with this design. It originally started out as the "Diamond Head" pattern in the book, "Hats - a Knitter's dozen". Said daughter asked for the ever-so-popular built-in bill, so with some time spent in trial-and-error, I finally was able to produce her order for her head topper.

How to make the visor? Make the hat 3" longer than needed, fold to make a hem. Cut a bill-shaped piece of plastic and insert at front of hat. Pull the wool a bit to shape it and tack around the bill. Stitches don't show and the bill is integrated into the design.

P.S. Only offer to make this hat for someone you really REALLY love, or you'll be cursing the whole time you are weaving in those thousands of ends.