1. I learned that the second hat is as much fun as the first :) This was done with chunky yarn on size 10 (6 mm) needles. I cast on 20 stitches, as before, and worked borders of seed stitch with a stockinette swath down the middle. Also, as before, I worked to a 20” length and then did a couple more rows. Of course I completely forgot about doing a provisional cast-on so I wound up picking up the cast on stitches and then binding them off with the working stitches. Again :)
This time I picked up 48 stitches around the crown, knit one round and then started decreasing towards the center. When I was down to 4 stitches, I cut the yarn (leaving a tail long enough to stitch with), threaded a tapestry needle and pulled the yarn through, tightening so as to close the crown. Then I added a braid and tassel - just for the hell of it :)
I need to work out how to do this for smaller sizes - babies and children. When I have the sizing worked out, I’ll post a pattern. It really is ridiculous, the amount of fun you can have doing this!
2. I learned that 7 ounces of yarn is really too much for a 5 quart crock pot to handle gracefully.
That this came out as well as it did is no credit to me. The crock pot was so stuffed, there wasn’t even stirring room! I’ll remember that in the future. The particulars for this yarn, Flamingo, are over at The Dye Pot. The first link will take you to the specific post and the second to the home page.
3. I learned that a 72º F day isn’t when you want a big sweater lying on your lap while trying to work on a sleeve. Even if it is January!
4. I learned that, yes Virginia, there really is such a thing as a beautiful heel!
This is the yarn that dear Nat over at Knitting Natty sent me for Christmas and the pattern, as I mentioned before, is the Lacy Mock Cable Socks that Rob clued me in to. I had been watching enviously as she seemingly effortlessly turned out a gorgeous pair in Megaboots Sock Yarn and knew I have to have a pair of my own.
You probably know I generally do socks on a larger scale than usual using sport to worsted weight yarn and anything from a size 3 (3.25 mm) to a size 5 (3.75 mm) needle. These are worked, as per the pattern’s recommendation, on size 2 (2.75mm) needles. Let me tell you, picking up the gusset stitches required considerably more focus than I am used to! Also, the heel flap is done in a method I hadn’t tried or even read about before. Over an even number of stitches, the right side rows are *Sl1, K1*; repeat to the end. The wrong side rows are *Sl1, P1*; repeat to the end. I was uncertain about this slipping on both sides of the fabric, but I certainly can’t argue with the results. This produces a firm but surprisingly cushy fabric and works so well with the color repeats of this yarn that it took me twice as long to do the flap as it normally would because I kept stopping to admire the gorgeous effect :)
5. I also learned, for what it’s worth, that when Myria makes one of her justifiably famous and outstanding pancakes (see German/Yorkshire Pancake/Pudding and fries up a few breakfast sausage to go with, a little fresh, chopped apple makes an exceedingly bright a pleasant note to the overall flavor of things!
Hope your Monday is yummy :)
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Thank you, thank you for reminding us about Myria’s wonderful German pancakes! I remember wanting to try them when you first blogged about them but promptly forgot! I’m printing out the instructions as I type this - whoohoo!
That IS a lovely heel - what gorgeous yarn Nat sent you!
That braid & tassle MAKE that hat! Toooo cute!!!
(Have I used enough exclamation points? Or should I add a few more????!!!!!! hehehehe)
Bron - Thanks!!!!!!!! LOL…
I like the braid and tassel too - just fnuky enough to be fun :)
That pancake is possibly my favorite item of all the wonderful things Myria makes and serves. I think if she wanted to make one every day, I would just smile and smile and smile - when I wasn’t chewing, that is :)
okay, this whole hat thing is getting out of control here- the concept of making one that really looks good without having to resort to the dreaded circular needle is just grand- the double-pointed needles are quite a different story, and the few inches of crown for the hat fly with those- small mongolians should bless you, as there is no possible way anyone living here in east texas could *really* need a wardrobe of nice woolen hats- the pattern really is fun-
the german pancakes really are just wonderful- we’ve had them served with toppings from sweet to spicy since you gave us the recipe- the calories in those little jewels don’t count!
stay happy-
Barb - Oh I’m so glad to hear you’re having fun with this! I’m going a little nutty myself - but in a good way, of course :)
The pancake, well, the pancake is one of the wonders of the modern word and it is my great good fortune to live with the pre-eminent baker thereof!
I just love your hats! Do you think that if I doubled up some worsted weight I would get the same effect? I adore that yarn too. It’s mm-mm good.
Opal - I tried that very thing this afternoon and it was a bit heavier. Now they were both fairly “lofty” worsteds. Two light worsted weight yarns or a lofty worsted and a sport weight would probably work just fine :)
The hats are wonderful…and they look so warm. What a lovely turned heel :)
Maureen - Thanks :) I hope the hats are going to be super warm - there’d hard;y be any point otherwise, would there? Heheh…
When I first retired from work, I about went crazy with so much time on my hands. Returned to work for 3 more years and retired once again.
And then, I discovered knitting and knitting blogs!!!! I truly enjoy reading your blog and love that you are so close with your father. Every trip you write about you have me along with you. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us.
I love your red hat. I want to knit a couple for my college student granddaughters. I am eagerly awaiting your posting a pattern. I am one of those knitters that need a pattern to follow.
Looking forward to knitting your pattern
Chloe - I’m working on the pattern and I will post it as soon as I have the sizes nailed down.
I’m very glad you enjoy the blog - thanks for commenting!
