Year of Hats

Welcome to the Year of Hats brought to you by Kelbourne Woolens and their Germantown yarn. Yes, it's already May, but we are really excited about these hats and this beautiful yarn!

Each month, Kelbourne Woolens is releasing a new free hat pattern as part of a kit that will teach you some new skills. The sweet kits include a skein of Germantown, a cute little leather tag, and two bits of contrasty colored yarn for sewing on the tag.

We have samples of ths February hat, the March hat, and the April hat in the shop for you to check out.

Germantown, aside from having an adorable label, is a sturdy North American worsted weight wool in some rich and classic colors. If you love knitting hats and trying new things, this hat project should make you very happy! I'll keep you posted about when we have the new shades for the May hat.

Time for New Hats

I've been giving away my handknit hats to my loved ones. My mom lost one I had made for her years ago, and she mentioned that she likes my Simple Pleasures Hat in the beloved Baby Llama Glow. Now it's hers.

My boyfriend forgot to bring a warm cap on our recent windy beach trip. Lucky for him I brought two (obviously), so now my sweet blue sailor cap in Karabella Margrite Bulky belongs to him.

I had so many hats and I always want to knit more, so this seems like a good solution. Let's look at a few designs that are on my list, shall we?

The Pheasant Plucker looks like fun, and it uses some cool techniques I've never tried. (I am very inspired to try Anna Maltz's marlisle technique, and this seems like a great place to start.)

Pic from Rav pattern page

The Diamondback Hat from AVFKW looks like fun, too. I love all-over colorwork and this one is in DK weight so it wouldn't take forever. Plus it's gorgeous.

Pic from Rav pattern page

Lineate would be so fun in some of the fabulous sock yarns we have at the shop. I think a solid and a crazy variegated would be really cool together.

Pic from Rav pattern page

I made myself a Happpy Thoughts a few years back, and it's been a favorite ever since. The cables and bamboo stitch are such a cozy combo.

I must make more of these Alpine Meadows as well. They work up so quickly and I appreciate the chance to use up bright little scraps for the flowers.

I love making hats! And now I need more of them, so it's time to get knitting.

Boots and Hats

We have a few cute new samples in the shop right now that I thought you'd like.

Take a look at these awesome Non-Felted Slippers, worked up in Stout and Harrisville Turbine. It's a free pattern, and knits up so quickly on a US9 and bulky yarn. One skein of each yarn is enough for two pairs of slippers. Cozy and quick.

This cute hat caught my eye this week, too. Classic Elite Liberty Wool is so much fun to knit. It's cool to see how the colors will mix and blend together as your piece works up. Each hat takes about a ball and a half of Liberty Wool, so grab three balls, and knit two hats!

We are staying busy stitching away in these chilly months. What are you making?

Eye Candy

So many hats! The big table is covered in some of our favorite little hat projects. We have everything from fingering weight colorwork to chunky stockinette. If you are thinking about some handmade holiday gifts, we would be more than happy to get your started on hats galore!

Acorn Hats

Check out these adorable Acorn Hats.

Worked up in Spud & Chloe Outer on a US15, you could have these knit in a jiffy. Outer is a machine washable wool/cotton blend, so soft for little noggins.

Two skeins will make three hats in different sizes. Make some in expected colors or try some crazy combos. Perfect little fall hats!

So Many Hats

Sally is on a colorblocking roll these days. We have two lovely samples in the shop, knit using the Conversationalist pattern from The Plucky Knitter.

This cute one was made using the Knitted Wit Worsted in a interesting charcoal and lovely light grey, finished with a pop of hot pink.

The yarn is so beautiful knit up. The semi-solids are really deep and subtly tonal. If you are looking for even more pop, check out all these bright colors we have in the KW Worsted. You could create quite a set of hats with some of these.

Not to be outdone, the new JaggerSpun Super Lamb needed to be a hat, too. This one looks a little more nautical to my eye. Love that matte finish and tight ribbing. This yarn is something else.

She has already knit two of these cute hats, and she is threatening to make more. Look out!

Here We Are

Hi friends!  Sorry about that inadvertent blog break there.  I was busy knitting my fingers off in preparation for Christmas.  I tried to keep things simple, but I did end up knitting a hedgehog at the last moment.  It happens.

I also had to finish the mini Groovy ordered up by my youngest.  I loved knitting one for myself in the spring, so it wasn't too hard to agree.  I used one skein of Berroco Weekend DK, and I just knit until I ran out of yarn.  It was so nice to work with, and she loves it.

Now that I have finished the frantically-knitting-for-others phase, my attention is turning to selfish knitting.  Let me tell you what I'm thinking.

I have four skeins of the most beautiful green Harrisvile Highland sitting on the shelf waiting to become Tea With Jam and Bread. I have not yet chosen my contrasting colors, but I'll see what speaks to me when the time comes.  There are plenty of options.

Photo borrowed from Knitty.

I was so excited to see Streymoy in the most recent issue of Knitty.  This cardigan is not for the faint of heart, but it's the kind of garment you would pass down to the next generation.  The designer included so many thoughtful details, it's hard to believe it's a free pattern.  The pattern calls for Cascade Eco Wool and Eco+, a yarn that we love and keep well-stocked.

Photo borrowed from O-Wool site.

There are a few smaller projects percolating in my brain, too.  I have seen several lovely versions of the Garfunkel Hat, and I am so excited to try it out in the Debbie Bliss BFL DK.  We have a great color selection, and I think the texture of the yarn would be great for colorwork.  It's hard to tell, but it looks like there are at least three colors involved here, and I love the double-thick ribbed brim. 

Another Shibui No. 10 is on the list, too.  The sample I knit for the shop is pretty great, and I am a little tired of the glass head getting all the good hats.  We figured out that four skeins will make two hats with a little creative rearranging of colors.

This is what's knocking around in my head.  Now that the new year is almost upon us, what are you all knitting?

Little Things Completed. Repeated?

I finished a few little projects lately, and I would love to show them off.  My Groovy in Leinen Los is one of my favorite knitted items to date.  You can purchase and download the pattern through Ravelry, and it is worth every penny in my opinion.

It was fun to knit, with just enough counting and paying attention.  Otherwise, a lot of stockinette.  I know some knitters get a little bored with stockinette, but I love it.  It grows in sort of an unexpected way for a shawl, too.

I managed fourteen and a half repeats of the pattern with two balls of Leinen Los.  I decided to tempt fate and use white, but the other natural colors are really beautiful, too.  I was inspired by several versions on Ravelry to use a contrast color for the bind off.  I had some Euroflax Linen in orange that looked so great with the white.  My shawl is a really nice size, perfect for tucking into a jacket for a little extra warmth.

My next finished little thing is my Bristol Hat.  I love this hat.  

It's also available on Ravelry from Amy Christoffers, one of my favorite designers.  The stitch pattern is pretty simple, but I did have to pay attention.  I used stitch markers to mark each pattern repeat, and that certainly saved me some heartache.  I love the chevron pattern that emerges from the textured stitches.  I was concerned that it would be too small when I got started, but everything ended up just fine.

I used some discontinued Rowan yarn, but any fingering/sock weight in a nice solid color would be perfect.  Cascade Heritage or Heritage Silk would be amazing, and the stitch pattern would really pop.  My hat used just under 200 yards, so one skein of sock yarn would get you two Bristols.

I don't often repeat projects, but these two were so satisfying, I think there are several more of each in my future.  I'm thinking a tweedy Bristol in Rowan Fine Tweed, and maybe a tone-on-tone striped Groovy in some Silky Wool or Felted Tweed DK.  The possibilities are endless, but what am I going to do with all of these?

Weekend Hats

Everdeen Beanie in Malabrigo Silky Merino

Weekend Hats arrived at the shop recently, and I am really impressed.  The book was compiled by Cecily Glowick MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre, who are also responsible for New England Knits and so many other fabulous designs. 

The book includes hats from more than 20 designers, and I feel like I would make and wear almost every one.  Even better, we have almost all of the yarns used in the book, so you don't even have to futz around with yarn substitutions!  I know you want to see what's in there, right?  Here you go.

Plait Beanie with Classic Elite Ariosa

Wanderer Cap, maybe in Kathmandu Aran or Portland Tweed

Flyer Cap with one skein of Lamb's Pride Worsted

Chroma Cap in Berroco Ultra Alpaca

Topiary Beanie, maybe with the new Shalimar Breathless

Hued Toque in Rowan Felted Tweed

Union Long Beanie in almost any DK yarn

Trellis Hat in Fibre Company Canopy Fingering

Lea Cloche, maybe with Debbie Bliss Luxury Tweed or Tahki Donegal Tweed

Ogee Beanie in Cascade Venezia Worsted

Pebbled Beanie in your favorite sock yarn

Welted Toque in St. Denis Nordique

Brier Toque, maybe in Melody Superwash

Long Leaves Beanie in Madelinetosh Vintage

Solitaire Beanie in Malabrigo Worsted

Laura Irwin's Layer Cloche in Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk DK

Ruche Beret in Blue Sky Alpacas Suri Merino

Glashutte Hat in Fibre Company Road to China Light

Which one to make first?  I love St. Denis Nordique, so I think the Welted Toque will have to be up first.  But the Long Leaves Beanie is such a great balance of garter stitch and lace.  I also love the simplicity of the Brier Beanie.  I'll just have to make them all.  Did you see something you like?

Hats make great gifts, even for people who might not normally wear handknits.  The details included in many of these designs add a professional touch to the finished product.  Sally has more copies of this fabulous book on the way, so make a list of which ones you like best and come claim your yarn.

And don't forget...we are now open Mondays from 10-6 to feed your yarn habit!

Even More Samples

Jenni has a pretty new display up in the front window featuring three little pixie hats in three great yarns: Aslan Trends Del Sur, Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica (doubled), and Berroco Peruvia Quick (also doubled but not pictured).  The pattern is the Pointy Elf Hat from the cover of More Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson.

 

 

The three hats look so different in the different yarns.  Jenni made the smallest size, which is a bit snug on my almost-two-year old pixie.  Still pretty cute, though.  Added bonus: it's a three hour project.

Ann has been busy, too.  Check out these sweet little fingerless mitts in Kollage Glisten.  The free pattern from Leslie at a Friend to knit with is called Toasty (available on her right sidebar).  There is an even simpler version without the thumb called Toast.  Either pair will take two skeins of yarn.  You may even be able to squeak two pairs out of three skeins...

The crochet hooks have been flying, too.  Ann will be teaching a crocheted hat class (more info on that soon, I promise), so she made a few samples.

The Men's Beanie from Blue Sky Alpacas is made with just one skein of their Worsted Cotton.  The design is classic and very wearable.  Even if you have never crocheted before, you can make this.  In fact, I think I might have to.

If you're looking for something smaller and/or a little more girly, check out this sweet Shell Stitch Beanie, a free pattern on Ravelry.  Also made with Blue Sky Worsted Cotton, this would make a quick gift for a summer babe.

 

Our pretty new shop window also features a beautiful weaving from our friend Doris. Thank you, Doris!  Come take a look and start thinking about some hats.