It's Been A While...

Since I last made a post ( or at least it feels that way).Yesterday I finished another hat, Star Crossed Slouchy Beret by Natalie Larson. Really quick and satisfying knit, although I did decide to use smaller needles as I didn't want it to be too big on my head.I used King Cole Fashion Aran in colour 162 Heather and 4.5mm & 5.5mm circular needles.

I've also been working on the Renee Leverington Winter Mystery Shawl 2008, I'm now on clue two. It's a bit slow going due to the beads (my first beaded project) but I'm enjoying the process and don't feel the need to rush it.
I also started another jumper (this one for me) using Ann Budd's book, I'm using the same mohair yarn I used for the Kiri shawl as I've shed loads of it :-) I've finished the body and have started on the first sleeve, it's not going to be overly fitted but will hopefully be flattering. I may even try to work in some interest around the yoke, but that will depend on if I can find anything that captures my interest.I've also been working on a pattern for a matching hat for the Twisted Seedling: Fingerless Mitts, hope to have the pattern ready by next week.

Mystery Beret.

Remember my wonderful lace beret, the pattern was a Woolly Wormhead mystery?

Well, it's now a felted basket (sob, howl... stamps feet!). It was my most favoured hat, thought I looked good in it and I stupidly (very stupidly) put it in the wash.Can you believe I actually forgot that it had a wool content, for some reason I thought is was acrylic, gah! It turns out James C Brett's Ripple has a 55% wool content.

Breeding Hats!

I seem to be experiencing a bit of a hat obsession at the moment and spent last night knitting another tam/beret.

At the age of 35 I've suddenly come to the conclusion that hats are great and they keep you feeling so much warmer, not to mention if you're having a bad hair day you can just plonk a hat on your head and you've got instant chic.

Anyway, I was in Lidl yesterday and they had 600g of bulky yarn for £6.99. Okay, it's only 20% superwash wool but the pack did come with free 8mm circular needles and 4 free patterns and the yarn does feel very soft and fluffy.

I used Sarah-Hope Parmeter's bulky tam pattern and size 6.5mm circulars. This was such a quick and simple knit, only took 5 hours and that was with interruptions.

I did find the ribbing on the brim to not be quite tight enough so had to run an elastic round so that it wasn’t so big and would fit my head. Perhaps using a smaller needle or a 2x2 rib would be better.

I was surprised that it took only one ball of wool, I even managed to make a small pom pom.

Lace Beret

Woolly Wormhead posted a mystery beret on Ravelry, I've now completed it. It was a quick and satisfying knit with easy to follow instructions.I originally made this beret for my daughter as one of her birthday gifts, it's turned out so nice I'm not sure if I can give it away :-)
I used James C Brett Ripple in H1 and 4.5mm needles. The ball of yarn is a true representation of the colour.

Matching Russula Cap

Hmm, I think I may have gone a bit too far with the eye popping yarn. I've knit a beret to match my daughter's fingerless gloves. Because of the colours I'm not sure if she'll ever be able to wear both together, will just have to see what she thinks when she gets in.

It's the Russula Cap by Sally at Wicked Woollens, it's a great and simple pattern that looks much better in the yarn she chose LOL.