In December, my friend gave me Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Hat Book. She'd also bought herself a copy, and as we like to do, we went through it together over Skype, looking at all the designs and deciding which ones we like best.
We both have birthdays this month - hers was at the very beginning and mine is at the very end. So we decided to do a hat exchange for our birthdays. We each chose 3 designs from the book as possibilities. Then it was up to the other person to pick which one to make so it would be a surprise. So here is the hat I made for Sally:
I was surprised when she told me she likes pillbox hats - we've been friends for almost 15 years and I didn't know that! I had a hard time deciding which of the designs she chose to make, so in the end I took the book to the yarn shop with me to see what I could find, and let that determine which hat to make. I ended up with this lovely yarn from The Fibre Co.
This hat was really fun to work, and of course the yarn was luscious. Most of the hat is a simple two-color stranded design, but there are a couple of interesting features: a Latvian braid at the cast-on edge, and some tucks to give the hat a bit of firmness and structure.
You can see that there's some tweediness in the yarn, and the silk gives it a bit of sheen.
Because I made this hat with a wool/alpaca/silk blend, it's a bit less stiff than the original, so it doesn't stand up on its own. But it fits her head perfectly, and actually comes down over her ears to give some extra warmth.
As usual, I steam-blocked the whole thing after I finished the knitting. This was a very quick and easy project - I think it only took me three or so days to knit. Really, choosing the design and yarn was harder!
In a few weeks, I'll be getting my own hat. I can't wait to see which one she chose - I couldn't narrow it down to three choices, so I gave her a dozen!
That was such a good idea!! I can't wait to see your hat, this one is just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat little hat. I hope your friend takes a pic in it.
ReplyDeleteSuch nice insides! It's very cute - would love to see it on a head!
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful hat Gail, I love the design and the colors you used.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely. I see things like this and I want to break my "you will NOT learn how to knit rule" . . .
ReplyDeleteFancy! I've seen these tucks appear in a few projects on my Ravelry feed and I kind of love them. Are they entirely knit or is there some handstitching involved?
ReplyDeleteThey are fun to work - all done on the needles, no hand stitching. You work 6 rows stockinette, and then on the next row, with each stitch, you work the back loop of the same stitch 6 rows down together with it as a K2tog.
DeleteOf course, I've already seen and admired this on Ravelry, but let me admire it again here. The yarn looks glorious, with those silky little nubs, and the stitches looks as lovely on the inside as on the outside. Well done! Now I'm looking forward to your birthday-present hat.
ReplyDelete-- stashdragon
Thanks, Gretchen! Yes, this yarn IS glorious! Highly recommended!
DeleteIt's a beautiful hat and also think your way of sharing your birthdays is terrific!
ReplyDeleteGail, it turned out so nice! I enjoyed reading about the background story and must confess I laughed out loud at you giving Sally a dozen choices. Too funny!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love my hat!! It is so beautiful, and it is also warm...even in the polar vortex, lol! I finished yours tonight, and I can't wait to give it to you. I just might send it early and make you stare at the box for a week :)
ReplyDeletexxox
Hahaha! You're treading dangerous water if you do! I opened my present from my mom LAST weekend!
Delete