Friday, January 31, 2020

FMM - A Knitting Update, Finally!

It's been forever since I've had a knitting update.  Or knitted anything, really.  But in September I finally felt OK enough to try knitting something really basic, so I chose some yarn that I had in my stash and a basic beanie pattern, and got started.  It took me three tries to cast on correctly - and I actually twisted the cast on one of those times, which is something I'm usually really careful about checking because that means you have to start all over again - but I finally was able to get it going and I finished it two months later.  I know, that's a long time for a simple hat, but in between I had back surgery and was recovering from that, and then Karen and Jimmy brought me a skein of yarn from their trip to Vermont and I started a more complicated hat, so as it turned out I ended up completing two hats in the same week, which made me feel extra accomplished about the entire thing.

Here's hat number one - I call it my Return to Knitting hat:
Yarn is Twisted Fiber Art Queen Evolution, colorway is Candy Floss, pattern is super basic - I just cast on 84, did some 2x2 ribbing for the brim, and then decreased at the top and made a pom pom with the leftover yarn.
I got this yarn five years ago when I was in Twisted Fiber Art's yarn club.  Glad I held onto it until this project because it's become my go-to hat this winter.
This is my favorite picture - me wearing a hat I hand knit along with a scarf that Debby hand knit and I'm at Hogsmeade in Universal Studios next to the magical knitting window display.  Knitting, Harry Potter, and Universal Studios, ahhh. 

Next is my Vermont Hiking Hat:
Yarn is a worsted weight from Shelburne Farms in Vermont - colorway is undyed/natural, and pattern is Irish Hiking Hat...hence the name change to Vermont Hiking hat. 
The cables made my brain work harder than it had in a long time but I was really pleased with how the hat turned out.  Oh - the pom pom is faux fur - I thought it made for a fun change from the usual yarn pom poms.
And here's Karen wearing the hat - I gave it to her which felt like I completed the circle of giving.  She is so pretty and I love how nicely the hat looks with her hair color.

Of course after I finished these hats I had a seizure and subsequent concussion, which put knitting on hold once more, but I started knitting a baby hat last week and it went well although I think the colors might be a little bright for a newborn - what do you think:
Yarn is Mindless Knits hat and cowl DK, colorway is rainbow, pattern is Basic Beanie.  I call this hat Rainbow Beanie and I know you're impressed with my originality, LOL.

And now I'm working on another baby hat, although I'm not sure the color yarn I have is any more baby-like.  I really need a trip to a yarn store to fill a specific need - soft speckled colors - in my stash.  Hmmm, I'll have to see if there are any good yarn stores near Allie; that might be my best bet for an out-of-town yarn shopping trip.

Have a great weekend!

19 comments:

  1. I love your knitting posts and I'm so glad to see you back at it! All that casting on (see, I know the lingo :P) has to be good for the brain!

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    1. Haha that casting on definitely made my brain work!

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  2. Bright colors are amazing for everyone, including babies! :)

    These all turned out great! I love the gradient on the first one! Yay for being back at it!

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    1. Thank you - I wasn't sure about that gradient in wound yarn form, but it knitted up beautifully!

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  3. I'm glad your able to knit again! I loved all the hats! I'm sure the baby's parents will be delighted with it.

    I hope you have a great weekend too!

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  4. I'm so glad to hear you are knitting again!!

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    1. Thanks Debby - and can you believe that it's been eight years since you taught me to knit?!

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  5. Great to see a knitting post again! I'm happy your brain is cooperating with you :-) I am also a thumbs up on the bright colors for babies - then they can match all their brightly colored toys, right?

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    1. Thanks - I'm feeling better about the bright baby hat. I second guess myself too often on things like this.

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  6. That Vermont Hiking hat...hearts shooting from my chest right now.

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  7. I don't knit, but I do love to crochet! Please share how you make your pom-poms. I've tried several methods and I can not for the life of me, get one to look right or not fall apart!

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    1. I use Clover brand pom pom makers - you can find them at any hobby/craft store or Amazon. I fill them up (winding the yarn around each side) to the brim, and then tie them tight, just following the directions that came with them. Sometimes I have to trim a few stragglers but I rarely have to do much to keep them round.

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  8. I love the candy floss that. It's so pretty!

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  9. You're so talented! And I think the colors of the baby hat are great - babies like bright colors!

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    1. Thanks - I'm going to go ahead and give it; now I need to find a little outfit to go with it. Luckily I don't mind shopping for baby clothes, not one bit! :)

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  10. LOVE LOVE our hats. Missed your knitting posts.

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