FO: Yellow Hat

Cross posted at Sally Comes Unraveled and Year Long Gift-A-Long.

Well, at least it fits my big fat head.

You've got to love a hat that can be finished in 24 hours. (Well, technically it was more like 30 hours.) I'm a little worried that it's too big. It was hard to tell on the needles. Now that it's off the needles, I'm also worried about it being too short. The thing is that I didn't want the brim to be flipped up, sort of like a beanie.

Technically, this may not be a Christmas gift. It may end up being sold at a craft show, on Etsy or at the next Fiber Friends Festival. Either way, I think it qualifies for the Year Long Gift-A-Long's quarterly challenge, because it still isn't due until December. If all else fails, it fits me. (And big heads run on both sides of my family.)

I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakhan in 31007 and Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Superchunky in 16016 and US Size 10 bamboo dpns. It took slightly less than one skein of Superchunky and only about one half of a skein of Astrakhan.

I improvised the design, roughly estimating circumference. I double stranded the Astrakhan and did seed stitch on the first round to prevent it from flipping up. (I think it worked.) The rest is in stockinette. The decreases were also done without much planning. I thought I cast on 68 stitches, but as I decreased the numbers didn't add up. I don't think it matters though.

Hooray for big fat yarn, big fat needles and big fat heads.

WIP: Yellow Hat

Cross posted at Sally Comes Unraveled and Year Long Gift-A-Long.

Maybe it's crazy to start my January project for the Year Long Gift-A-Long on January 30, but I think I'm going to make it.

As I said before, these two yarns were dying to go together. I double stranded the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakhan for the edging by using both ends of the ball at the same time. I'm not real fond of knitting with the Astrakhan. I can't quite put my finger on the reason why. It doesn't really split or tangle. It just doesn't feel good on the needles. But I like the way it looks. And as always, Cashmerino Superchunky is awesome.
Tonight at Bluebonnet Yarn Shoppe, Katie said it looked like a Winnie the Pooh hat. Then she said "your hat looks like Pooh" before she realized what she was saying. She said I should add little Pooh Bear ears. I think I'll have a plenty leftover to make a baby hat with ears, but for now, I'll stick with the basics.

My only concern is the size. I swatched a little bit, but I wasn't very careful about measuring. I just estimated and cast on. I hope it's not too big. It seemed ok on the Styrofoam head at Bluebonnet.

In other news, I just talked to Jules. It's cold in LA and he is wearing his socks right now.

January Gift List

Cross posted at Sally Comes Unraveled and Year Long Gift-A-Long

I just joined the Year Long Gift-A-Long, which I need badly, considering I'm still working on Christmas 2007 gifts.

The idea is you set monthly gift knitting goals all year long. Hopefully I'll be prepared next Christmas.

Since January is almost over, I'm setting a very modest goal. Only one gift.

1. Gift Item: Hat - I have Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakhan and Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Superchunky in complimenting shades of yellow. They are begging to be in a hat together.

Recipient - I don't know. (I'm stockpiling.)

Occasion - Christmas

Deadline - December 24, 2008