Needles & hooks

Hats Abound

In the past couple of weeks, I’ve finished 3 hats and 2 of them were not what I was going for. First there were the issues last week with the Basket Cap (and even though I re-made it, I’m still only calling it one hat). On Sunday, I finished Odessa. And it’s a little too small. I had gauge, I might have started knitting tighter. I have plenty of yarn, but I’ve decided not to reknit it. I’m going to put hats aside for the time being and focus on some other projects. I’ll probably give Odessa to my little niece.

Here’s Odessa (not modeled, you already got one shot of me making faces):

The third hat came out perfect. Better than perfect, actually. But I can’t say “third time’s the charm” because I actually finished it first.

Introducing The Whirlygig Tulip Hat.

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Whirlygig Update

Special thanks to Tammy in Seattle who pointed out an error in my Whirlygig Scarf pattern. I had the instructions for a Centered Double Increase reversed. Seems that no matter how often you proof-read and test knit something, you can always overlook something obvious. Anyway, I’ve corrected the pattern. If you’ve printed it out already, please reprint it. And my sincerest apologies to anyone who attempted it and got frustrated.

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Taking Yarn in Different Directions

Last night I played with the Weavette loom I bought at Stitches. Without too much work, I made 3 little squares with some scrap yarn.

It’s satisfying to “finish” something so quickly. But I have to join a bunch together before I really have a finished product. I have some ideas for joining squares together while weaving a new one, so I’ll give that a try tonight. It only takes about 2 yards to make a square on this tiny loom, so I can blast through my stash of random small balls in short order. Maybe there’s a charity for Barbie afghans?

After a little time with the loom, I worked on the hat I’m designing to go with the Whirlygig Scarf. I’m hoping to finish it tonight. I’ve got a few episodes of Project Runway on my Tivo to help me along. They’re designing, I’m designing, it’s all good.

Here’s what it looks like now:

MAILBAG
Nancy suggests that the Tess Microfiber Ribbon yarn might make nice cables. I was intending to try those when I decide to play with it again.

Janice wanted to know how the Ribbon yarn stands up to being frogged and re-knit. It frogged easily. And looks pretty good. I haven’t tried re-knitting yet, but I can’t imagine it won’t hold up.

Maryann wanted to know how I liked the yarns I used to make my Clapotis projects. Between the Lorna’s Laces Lion & Lamb and the Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted, I think I preferred the Shepherd Worsted. The L&L has a fuzzy look to it now (with very few wearings) and while it is soft, so was the Shepherd. I don’t think the silk content in the L&L gives it enough sheen to make a difference. However, after seeing the Brooks Farm Four Play knit up at Stitches, I think I’d give that a try for another one.

Comments: 2 — Posted under: Knitting, Whirlygig

Naming that Scarf

And the winner is….Lisa, who contributed the name Whirlygig! Waiting to hear which yarn she prefers. The random drawing winner from all who submitted names is Wendy.

I’m hard at work on testing the pattern. I think I’ve got it all ironed out and should post it tomorrow. Keep your eyes peeled. Here’s a look at the prototype:

Many thanks to everyone who submitted name ideas. There were a lot of good ones to choose from. I thought I’d share all the ones I got:

• ‘57 Chevy (if it were 57 inches long)
• The Accidentally on Purpose Scarf
• Bluesy Ruffles
• Churros
• Clematis
• Cool Curling Chevrons
• Curly Blue
• Curvaceous
• Double Helix
• DNA
• F5
• Flying V’s
• Helix
• Loop It
• Meandering Scarf
• Ribbon Candy
• Ring around the Blues
• Spiral Staircase
• Swirly Burly
• Tendril Scarf
• Tessalatwist
• Tilt-a-Whirl
• Twirler
• Twist and Shout
• Twist for a Kiss
• Twist It Up Baby
• Twister II - The Scarf
• Twisted Chevrons
• Twistytessal
• Twizzler Scarf
• Whirlygig
• X-volution!

Comments: 3 — Posted under: Knitting, Whirlygig