Sittin' and Knittin'

Yes, it's knitting report day! And last night's snow in Colorado makes today the perfect day to watch Dr. Who on Netflix and knit.

The next deadline for Hats for Sailors is coming up fast -- May 27. I should have a pretty good-sized box of hats to send to our hat "curator," thanks to friends and fellow knitters Marilyn, Cornelia and Gina!

Here are the latest I've knit myself.

First, not for a Sailor because the yarn has acrylic in it (baaaaddd idea in a fire danger environment!). But I just couldn't resist this Schachenmayr "Boston" in neon colors. I got mine from Jimmy Beans Wool -- and they have a free pattern for the cowl and matching hat.

Since this set can't go to a Sailor, I don't know who will end up with it. But as my Mama always said, "someone will love it!" It was a really fun and really fast knit!

This hat was my "car" knitting for more than a year. Knit two, purl two ribbing 128 stitches on a size 4 needle is not a fast knit. This will be a really warm hat, with its double layer of ribbing. The yarn is Tribute Merino DK 100% Superwash Merino from Stitchjones, colorway "Dark + Divine."  Pattern is "Exeter," free on Ravelry.

Here's a closeup of the decreases at the top. Decreasing in k2P2 rib is a little tricky, because the pattern needs to remain consistent. But worth it, doncha think?

This pattern is from the 2010-11 "Knit Happy" Stimulus Program at Table Rock Llamas. It was a free pattern to members of the "club," and I can't find an existing link. The closest I've found is "Amelie Hat," also free on Ravelry.

It's one of those hats that "looks better on the head." The brim is double layers with a picot turning edge. I used Lily Chin's crochet provisional cast on -- go here for a YouTube tutorial or search for "Lily Chin provisional cast on."

The yarn is a combination of leftover Cascade 220 Superwash and Liberty Wool, both 100% washable wool. I will make this hat again, but use a smaller needle for the brim. Although the hat looks enormous, it really fits fine on the head!

If you're a knitter, I hope you'll consider knitting a hat for a Sailor. As long as it's 100% wool and machine wash, hats can be any color and any style!

Tomorrow is "Finally it's Finished Friday," and I don't have a thing to wear (I mean, share). I do, however, have a wonderful stash report for Saturday -- hope you'll come back to read all about it!

From the desk of your