Diversionary lace

I couldn't resist starting the Forest Canopy Shawl I mentioned in the previous post, using Posh Yarn Helena merino DK in shade "Dales". Four repeats done so far:



I'm aiming to pick up for the button band on CPH this weekend, but I think the lovely colours in the merino were just the kind of Spring pick-me-up that was needed.

Finally wrested from the clutches of the Post Office today (one out of four parcels to sign for, so they took all four back to the office, argh!), here is some of the gorgeous Yarn Yard merino in shades Mysteron (above) and Smile:



This is for the Cranford Mitts (link goes to Sussex Yorkie's lovely first pair of mitts), and judging from reports, these two 50g skeins should be enough for 2 pairs. I'm intending using the Mysteron as the main lace for the first pair with Smile (and it does indeed make me do just that) for the edging.

Natalie now sells most of her yarn in 50g skeins, which is great for things like the mitts and even for socks, where you want to use more than one colour. It's so tempting in fact that I also got these in the same parcel:



Oatcake (above) and Moment 50g skeins of Yarn Yard sock.

I'm not doing too badly with my attempts to knit from stash, even so, and if you can't buy some scrummy yarn every so often it's a pretty miserable do! I'd bought very little so far this year until I found out that Dunelm Mill were selling off some Rowan yarns at 99p per ball. Fear not, they had not happened upon a secret stash of R2 yarn :-D When I went to our local store they had Holiday, Cotton Braid and Spray. I've ended up with three different shades of Spray, enough for a number of jumpers judging by the Urban Streets book which I received today (another of the hostage parcels).

And speaking of sock yarn - I am planning to attempt my first pair of socks in the near future. I've got enough sock yarn in stash to see me through a fair few pairs, I think, and I've just invested in some 60cm Knitpicks circs so I can do the two-circulars method. Thanks to BlueADT and the other posters on the 2-socks-2-circs KAL on the CTY forum for inspiring me. I shall try one sock at first though, 2 at once may be too far off the deep end for a first attempt!

I also ordered this which arrived today:



Sensational Knitted Socks, which seems to be a very popular book (and I'll surely end up with the second one too!). Also pictured is Ysolda's latest beret pattern, I've acquired several of her lovely patterns recently, now to acquire a time turner to have the time to knit them all :-D I also have my beady eye on the entrelac bag from the latest Yarn Forward, and the Hurry Up Spring mitts from Stitch 'n' Bitch....

Glam Rock Ski Hat, aka Vince's Tundra Hat

Here's the finished Glam Rock Ski Hat, I had fun needlefelting lightning bolts onto the earflaps! I used Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky to make the outline (just winging it by eye), then filled in with more yarn. I then added some BFL fibre on top.



More pictures on Flickr.

I used two patterns for this hat, mostly the Amelia hat from the SnB calendar, and also Woolly Wormhead's Scrappy Flapper.

Update 6th April 2008:

I have written up my pattern notes and made them available as a PDF.

Free knitting pattern - Skye rib hat

I made this along with the Dashing gloves and hat for a friend and her mum. I thought I'd share the pattern. I've now created a PDF file for the pattern, this can be downloaded here.

Skye rib hat - 4x4 ribbed beanie - free knitting pattern

Yarn: Colinette Skye, shade Copper Beeches, one skein (you will use around half a skein), or any similar aran/worsted weight yarn
Needles: 4.5mm circular and/or DPNs
Notions: one stitch marker and a tapestry needle
Gauge: not vital, I knit this probably slightly snugger than "normal" stockinette gauge for this yarn (18st/4"). Since we are using 4x4 rib the hat is very stretchy.

Sized to fit most adult heads.

Cast on 88 stitches (I use cable cast on), place stitch marker to mark end of round and join.

Knit K4 P4 rib to end of round, and repeat until piece is approx 6 inches long from cast-on edge.

Decreases - every other round:

Next round: (K1, K2tog, K1, P4, K4, P4) 5 times; K1, K2tog, K1, P4
Next round: (K3, P4, K4, P4) 5 times; K3, P4
Next round: (K3, P4, K1, K2tog, K1, P4) 5 times; K3, P4
Next round: (K3 P4) around
Next round: (K3, P1, P2tog, P1, K3, P4) 5 times; K3, P1, P2tog, P1
Next round: (K3, P3, K3, P4) 5 times; K3, P3
Next round: (K3, P3, K3, P1, P2tog, P1) 5 times; K3 P3
Next round: (K3 P3) around

Decreases - every round:
Switch to DPNs when stitches become tight on circular needle.

Next round: (K1, K2tog, P3, K3, P3) 5 times; K1, K2tog, P3
Next round: (K2, P3, K1, K2tog, P3) 5 times; K3, P3
Next round: (K2, P1, P2tog, K2, P3) 5 times; K2, P1 P2tog
Next round: (K2, P2, K2, P1, P2tog) 5 times; K2, P2
Next round: (K2tog, P2, K2, P2) 5 times; K2tog, P2
Next round: (K1, P2, K2tog, P2) 5 times; K1, P2
Next round: (K1, P2tog, K1, P2) 5 times; K1, P2tog
Next round: (K1, P1, K1, P2tog) 5 times; K1, P1
Next round: K2tog around
Next round: (K2tog) 5 times; K1 - 6 stitches remain

Cut yarn and thread onto tapestry needle. Draw the yarn through the remaining stitches and secure the top of the hat. Weave in yarn ends.

If you spot any errors please let me know at the address in the sidebar, many thanks.

This pattern is free for personal non-profit use including charity knits. It must not be sold or given away with yarn purchases, nor reproduced elsewhere in any format. E&OE. Copyright © knittyinpink.co.uk 2007.

Thanks to T for gifting the yarn to me!