Excursion (plus giveaway)
I have strong feelings about travel. I think it's a lovely thing to do, but wow do I ever want to take the comforts of home with me when I go. That means I bring along everything I need to make a proper cup of tea (yes I have brought my teapot on trips), and I have at least one pair of slippers in my suitcase. This pair is called Excursion, and you can bet it will be accompanying me on my next adventure! These are going to make you feel ridiculously clever when you make them. You cast on [...]
Nearly there
Little mitts on thicker yarn have some distinct advantages. They're cozy as can be, and done in a flash. I'm pretty sure this took about five minutes. And this five more. And this five more. And now of course it will take me about six weeks to finish the thumb and get around to weaving in the ends... But that's a whole separate issue and best not thought about now! I've totally loved making these, but man is it time to get something in my more customary colors on the needles. All this brightness is starting to get to me. [...]
One Down
Love it! I haven't woven in all the ends yet (so. many. ends.). But I've got enough in to know it fits and is comfy. I was worried the rolled edge would feel bulky, but it really doesn't. I used needles one size bigger for the rolled bits, which seems counter intuitive, but totally works. It makes the fabric a bit softer/floppier in those spots, so it doesn't bind up or feel like it's in the way. Totally worth filing away when you want the look of a rolled edge but want the fabric to stay well behaved!
Rolling
There are ways to keep the edges of your knitting from rolling, but sometimes you just need to relax and go with it. And this is totally one of those times. I like how the rolled edge looks here. It plays nicely with the texture in the bands, and it shows off the colors in the yarn beautifully. I'm going to have to wear it a bit to make sure it doesn't feel awkward on my thumb, but I suspect it will be just fine. What do you guys think? Do you like rolled edges? Or do they bug you?
Blocking 201 – Hats
So instagram seems to be a place that starts all sorts of fun discussions. I posted a blocking picture of a cowl the other day, and that turned into a post about blocking cowls. Now the same thing has happened again with a picture of a hat. I mentioned how important I thought blocking was, yes even for hats, and some folks asked just how you block a hat, so I thought I'd share. But first, how about a little reminder of just why it matters. I promise those wouldn't be *nearly* as pretty without a good blocking! Now I [...]
Smitten
Yeah...so it is supposed to be a baby hat (that's a lie, it's sized to be a toddler/child hat, because I don't like anyone enough to knit something they'll grow out of in five minutes). But if it were a few inches bigger around and an inch or two taller? I'd totally rock that hat myself! And, as always, blocking takes what was generally adorable and makes it all tidy and orderly and just extra nifty in all ways. Those of you not blocking your hats are missing out on a treat, they really do deserve it! And me? Well [...]
Carom (plus giveaway)
I suspect you might already know this, but I have a thing for sets. I can't help it. As soon as I finish a piece I start wondering 'and what would happen if I just wiggled this little bit over here?' Then all of a sudden there's another variation on the needles. That's totally what happened with Carom, and I'm so happy to have the pattern back out!The first hat uses a bigger, lacier version of the stitch pattern. It's lovely and swooshy and just a bit dramatic. The second one uses a slightly smaller version of the stitch pattern. [...]
Instant gratification
Knitting is not generally an instant gratification sort of pursuit. I mean sure, there's the thrill of casting on and the satisfaction of finishing a row or a pattern repeat. But to actually have a finished object, you're generally going to have to put in the time. But every now and then, the right combination of mindless knitting (this about 80% stockinette) and project scope (it's also intended for a child sized person) gets you there awfully quick. Throw in the marvelously entertaining colors (Malabrigo's archangel is more or less the only pink yarn I consistently like) and a lazy [...]
Easily distracted
So apparently I can't take direction well (no one is at all surprised). Instead of doing mitts as several of you suggested, I somehow accidentally tripped and fell and cast on a hat. Now the good news is it's a small hat (it's for one of the world's newer people, and new people often have smallish heads). And there will will be yarn left over that I suspect will turn into cuffs (for me, babies don't really need fingerless mitts I don't think) or something else depending on what catches my fancy. I've got two skeins of each color, so [...]
Mailing List
Want to hear when a new pattern comes out or something fun is going on? Sign up below!
Patreon
Want to support the content I create, get nifty bonus material for some of my favorite patterns, or get every new release delivered right to your inbox? Head over to patreon and sign up!
