Two Hats and a Cowl

Yarn:  Plymouth Worsted Merino and Rowan Kidsilk Haze

Pattern:  Super Cupcake

Needles:  #7 & 8

Comments:   If I made this again, I would either omit the Kidsilk Haze on the crown of the hat and the center stitches of the cowl or use a color that is more of a contrast to the Merino.  I found the pattern to be one that invited me to knit mindlessly.  However, in my mindlessness I made errors that were annoyingly difficult to correct so I did a bit of ripping out and doing over.

Yarn: Brown Sheep Burly Spun

Pattern:  Simple Snug Hat by Sarah Hatton

Needles:  #13 straights.

Comments:  Having made this hat before (my big fat hat), I can say that I love knitting and wearing it.  It knits up in a hurry and is one of the softest, most comfy hats you can wear on a blustery Minnesota winter's day.  I added the tassel for a touch of whimsy.  It's knit on straight needles and seamed.

Just in Time for Summer!

Pattern:  Lucia by Jamie Thomas

Yarn:  Rowan Savannah 94% cotton, 6% silk

Needles:  #8 (5mm) 32" circulars

Comments:  I loved the pattern and the yarn.  Because the cotton is wrapped in silk thread, the fabric has a slightly nubby appearance and the silk may have made the cotton more pleasant to knit than a regular cotton.

The finished garment has a soft drape, due to the "darts" and the nature of the yarn.

 I deviated from the pattern in several ways.

 1.  I omitted the "darts" on the sides and in the front, as I thought it would be too much fabric for me.  I'm happy that I did.

2.  I added 7 smaller buttons, rather than 5 larger ones as in the pattern.

 3.  Instead of four rows of garter stitch at the hem I did 8 rows, which seemed to anchor the fabric more than the 4 rows on the sleeves, and kept it from curling.

It's a short cardigan (sort of like a bed jacket) and has a pretty flare at the back.  It is really, really comfy.  I intend to wear it three ways: buttoned, unbuttoned, and with the bottom button closed leaving the top flaps open, as in the photo directly above.


Also semi-done is a small flower pin to dress it up a bit.  Look in later to see if I get around to that.