The Helm: Pattern

So who remembers this hat from last winter? Well, I do, and oddly enough, a few people lately have asked for the pattern, so I finally got my act together, and here you go! Please note, this pattern (including the charts) has not been reviewed or test-knit by anyone else, so there might be errors. Let me know if you have any questions, or find any mistakes in it!



THE HELM!

Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Wool, two colours. I used a red and beige, but any colours with contrasting values would work fabulously. (I may have used Russet [010] and oatmeal [006]). I needed about a ball and a half of each. Any Aran weight yarn knit at the appropriate gauge would render a similar effect, a worsted weight at standard gauge would give a less dense hat, but that might be just what you’re after!

Gauge: I knit this to be very warm, so it is knit to a gauge of 20 sts/10cm (26 rows/10cm), as opposed to the 18 sts/10cm suggested by the yarn.

Needles: Set of double points, or a suitable circular, as is your preference (I used 4.00mm bamboo double points)

Size: to fit an average adult head. Hat measures approximately 21” in circumference. The best way to alter sizing would be to use a different weight of yarn, or to alter your gauge. Since the charts have varying stitch counts, some would not line up if you chose to simply remove/add repeats to change the size (at least, not if you wanted to use the same charts I have here).

Pattern

I see this pattern as being in three parts: the double-thick brim, the body and the crown shaping.

Brim: The brim is only worked over 90% of the total body stitches, to reduce bulk. You could work the brim in something delectably soft or warm, or in a finer gauge to reduce the bulk. If you do use a lighter yarn for the inner brim, you may be able to simply cast on 120sts right away. A provisional cast on is not strictly necessary, but I find that it makes a nice finished product.

Using a provisional cast on of your choosing (I like this tutorial, from See Eunny Knit. I use the method whereby you crochet a chain onto your needle http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/2006/03/majoring_in_lace_part_iv.html ), cast on 108 stitches.

Knit 13 rounds in CC. (If you wanted to add a name, initials, date, whatever, these 13 rows on the inner brim are the perfect spot)

Next round, [k8, kfb], 120 sts. (feel free to use whichever increase method you prefer, just be sure that you are increasing after every 9th stitch, adding a total of 12 stitches)

Purl one round. This purl round allows the fabric to fold cleanly and makes a very clean bottom edge to the hat.

Body: The body is worked over 120 stitches. If you prefer a longer hat, you could add additional rounds in MC in between the charts, or add your own chart(s)! Just be sure that their stitch count(s) are factors of 120.

Knit 3 rounds in CC.
Knit chart A.

Knit 2 rounds in CC.

Knit chart B.

Unzip/unpick provisional cast-on and place stitches on spare needle. Knit one round in MC, knitting both sets of stitches (those that you just loosed from the cast on, and those from the body) together. Every 10th stitch, only knit the stitch off the body needle, as you only have 98 stitches on the cast on needle, but 120 on the body needle.

Knit 1 round in MC.

Knit chart C.

Knit 1 round MC.

Knit chart D.

Knit 1 round MC.

Knit chart E.

Knit 2 rounds MC.

Knit chart F.

Knit 1 round MC.

Knit chart G.

Knit 1 round MC.

Crown shaping: This shaping produces a fairly gradually sloped top, but mostly, I love the pattern that the decreases form.

Work Crown Shaping chart.

Repeat last two rounds of Crown Shaping chart ([k2tog], [knit all]) until fewer than 8 stitches remain (I lost my original notes, I don’t recall my first numbers). Draw yarn through remaining stitches, pull tight, fasten end inside of hat. Tadahh!

Charts

*pfweee*

I hope everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable New Years Eve (just remember, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. You might be feeling that today.) I also hope that everyone has a 2008 which far surpasses this past year, whether that means that the coming months will bring phenomenal joy and excitement, or just being healthy and happy.

The sock and it's mate from my last post were gifted (and finished in the nick of time) and they fit! (or so I am told, I still think it could be a biiiiiit better).

And remember peoples, if you hear someone knocking at the door, don't just sit there shouting 'come in'.

Ring a bell?

If this speaks to you, you know you're a knitter.



One mate-less sock finished on the 24th.

Doesn't mean I can't have fun with it though! Hope everyone is well, and has a happy and safe year-end wrap up.





ooh, and in response to Diana (I'm sorry I didn't post sooner!) the error in the POTW stole is that as written, Chart B for the edging contains an error. The second-to-last stitch of rows 9, 11, 13 and 15 should be marked as a k2tog.

*sigh*

Just ripped the semi-secret project, and need to go and rip the super-secret project.

I try to avoid complaining, but dude? This week kind of sucks.


Ooh, also, thank you everyone for the wonderful comments on the shawl. My grandmother loves it.

FO: Print O The Wave

I cast off the stole yesterday and pulled it off the blocking mattress today.
Pattern: Eunny Jang's Print O The Wave
Needles: 120cm addi lace, 4.5mm
Yarn: just over 2 skeins (like... JUST) of handmaiden Mini Maiden
Start: mid-november, 2007
Size: 48x64"
End: December 11, 2007
Mods: Knit the body in one piece, didn't graft in the middle. Also the yarn weight, much heavier than called for.
Love it, really really love it. The yarn was a dream (even if the colour is elusive), the pattern was pretty well written, bar one error. I feel good about this knit.

Sorry, but the other project I have going is semi-secret!

The Sigh of Relief Heard 'Round the World

The Yarn Gods have smiled upon me! There was not only one more skein left at the shop, but three! (in their stash in the back)

Granted the price of the shawl just increased by 50%, when I'm going to use ~20 grams of the third skein. But it is worth it.

I may have proclaimed my undying love to the young lady on staff, oops.

Oh, and this means that for anyone who loved the colourway, there are at least 2 more in existence.

I'm going to go study now. No more posts until my next exam and shawl are done.

nail biting

Nearly halfway through the border! I am crossing my fingers that my remaining yarn holds out, but deep down... I fear that i may have committed the cardinal sin of not buying enough yarn (and there is no more available, as far as I know).