Knitwear Overload

Wendy Bernard says she doesn't like wearing more than one knit item at a time. She may be on to something.

Now that it's finally cold, I've pulled out the Broken Scarf (aka "Fred") and my Knucks. (In the morning, I need handwarmers more than anything, really.) Then I found Soy Wool Spiral after work, and I ended up with this ensemble.

Perhaps it's time to knit things that match.

FO: Soy Wool Spiral

I can't wait until it's cold enough to wear this hat!


Tonight I finished my Soy Wool Spiral hat. I was so excited that I didn't bother to change out of my pajamas to take the pictures.


This is my first time doing a three needle bind off. I used a tutorial from KnittingHelp.com. (Ironically, I have more experience with the Kitchener Stitch, which is more difficult.) Here is a look at the seam from the inside.


Here is the seam from the outside. The pattern calls for a three needle bind-off, but you could probably use the Kitchener Stitch to make it less noticeable. I might consider that in the future, but the seam adds some character.



Once again, this is one of the Spiraling Stripes Hats by Lee Meredith, aka "Leethal." It's a good pattern with several variations. I did the counter clockwise spiral with a straight brim. This hat is knit from side to side, so I used US Size 5 aluminum straights like these, and a US Size 7 needle for the three needle bind off.

The yarn is my own handspun from the Tour de Fleece. It's a soy/wool blend. I'm guessing that it's worsted-ish, and I spun about 120 yards. I still have about half the hank left. The pattern doesn't take much yarn. I was pleasantly surprised by how even the yarn was when I knit it up.


I was worried it would be too small, but it seems to fit. I'm trying to remember if I added another short row "wedge" or not. As you can see from this picture, it can easily be worn as a beret.


Poncho Pig likes the beret look.

Ravelympics Closing Ceremony

I feel like an idiot. I realized too late that I didn't have until this evening to finish my Ravelympic projects. The Olympics ended this morning in Beijing while I was still asleep. Everything was timed on Beijing time. Otherwise I'd have at least one or two more FOs.


I'm down to the last toe on my Wickerware Socks. Believe it or not, I did a lot of knitting while watching "The Dark Knight" last night. My friends and I went on a whim, so I didn't bring good theater knitting. But I borrowed a mini flashlight from Lyndsey to periodically double check where I was. I stopped when I got to the toe, because I needed to do more counting. I think I did about 40 rounds.

I also gave this hat as a birthday gift, along with some other goodies wrapped in fabric. (The recipient is a seamstress.) I knew the right occasion would come along, and lime green suits her. The fit was a little big, but the slouchy look worked pretty well. I wish I'd remembered my camera.


I've passed the halfway point on the Spiraling Stripes Hat (aka Soy Wool Spiral.) I suspect that I will have to add more "wedges" to make it fit my ginormous head.

Despite my stupid mistake, I'm proud to have finished four projects, taken home seven medals for Team Austin. (Team Austin had 21 members and won 20 medals.)


I am about to go delete all the Ravelympic projects that were never started, with the exception of Odessa. I bought beads to match the yarn yesterday, and I plan to get started on it in the next day or so.

WIP: Soy Wool Spiral

Last night I wound my yarn and got ready to cast on.


This was how I had gotten when I went to bed.

I'm working on one of Lee Meredith's Spiraling Stripes Hats. There are several variations you can try. I'm doing the straight brim with the counterclockwise spiral. I've dubbed the hat "Soy Wool Spiral" because I'm using my handspun soy/wool blend.


Here's where I am as of now. I'm pleased that the striping is going so well. The pattern was originally written as part of a kit that came with striping yarn. I'm glad my color repeats are long enough.

With any luck, I'll be done by Sunday night.