Thursday, October 3, 2013

Hat Tricks - finally!!

I promised some beginner hat-knitting tips weeks ago, and today I finally got around to making the first video!  Sorry it took so long - my schedule has been more full than usual lately, but I think things are slowly getting back to normal.

The tips I'm planning on showing can be used for any knitting in the round, but I'm making another of the Mock Rib Watch Cap.  I really love the style, and it's a free pattern.  I also found it very concise and easy to follow for a beginner - great if this is your first hat in the round.


Bear in mind that, like all my videos, this is completely off the cuff - rehearsing and editing are for sissies, LOL!  Actually, they're for people with more know-how and better equipment than me ;-)  But I do know a thing or two about knitting, so I hope you'll be lenient.


Also:  pay no mind to the ambulance sirens in the background!  A fact of city life!

21 comments:

  1. I've learned so much from you Gail! I'll have to remember this one :)

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  2. This is a great tip! I didn't know that. And I loved hearing your voice! Thanks for sharing the video.

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    1. Isn't it fun to hear other bloggers' voices?

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  3. Oh Gail ~ I felt like I was sitting you next to you while watching your video! I always begin my knitting-in-the-round projects like you suggested and it works beautifully. You must make more videos!

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    1. Thanks, Evelyn! Working on it! YouTube is making things a little difficult at the moment - I made a second video and can't get it to load on the blog! Grrrrr!

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  4. I always use larger cord lengths (I buy 40s mostly) cuz a bigger needle works for more stuff, but then I end up magic looping the hat! You've shown me why a 16 inch needle is a good thing to own. Would that I'd got the Addi interchangeable kit before spending a bomb on the needles individually...

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    1. I mostly have the needles I need now, because I bought them project by project over the years. So it really didn't feel like a huge investment since it was spread out like that!

      I'm not a fan of magic loop because it really slows me down. And makes me have to look away from the TV ;-)

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  5. Hi Gail, thanks for that, it's perfect! And you have a very good instructive (but friendly!) voice. I would love to see some more tips, especially DPNs please! I'm still scared of them...

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    1. Thanks, Sabs! I've got a couple ideas for videos with DPNs, but if you have specific things you'd like to know, please tell!

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  6. You are so good at making these videos Gail!

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    1. I just giggle every time someone says that (although I appreciate it!) because really I just turn on the camera and start talking! Not too professional, LOL!

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  7. Cool tip! I guess yo could do that for sweaters in the round too. One question, I'm a newish knitter so excuse me if this is a silly question, but don't you have to do something like crossing the first stitches to join them when knitting in the round? Or when do you have to do that. I'm confused.

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    1. Yes, you can do this for anything you'd knit in the round: hats, mittens, socks, sweaters.

      I've never heard of crossing the first two stitches to join the round! (Doesn't mean it's not a thing though!) The knitting itself will join the round though - this just makes it a little neater with less "touch up" at the finishing stage. I also think it is less visible than crossing the first and last stitches of a round.

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  8. Great trick. I usually flip flop the beginning and the end but I guess if I were to sell a beanie, I should do a better finishing technique like that.

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    1. I never heard flip flop - what does that mean? I'm so curious!

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  9. I love your videos! Even if you don't rehearse, you are clear and very organised when you shoot...many videocasters could learn from watching these...!! (and you know I love your voice!)

    I promise to do some video one day so you can hear my voice too...

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    1. Oooh, yes! Maybe a video update of new yarns!

      Although I don't rehearse, I do spend a fair bit of time thinking about what I want to cover in each video, so I guess it's not totally off the cuff!

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  10. I haven't watched the video yet because I'm not in a place where audio is appropriate at the moment. :) I did want to tell you that I knit this hat with Malabrigo Twist for my sister-in-law who has lost her hair because of chemo and it's fantastic! She loves it. Thanks for bringing the pattern to my attention!

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    1. I saw that on Ravelry! Left you a comment over there :-) GReat pattern, isn't it?

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