Calmer Baby Hat

I was glad to be invited to a baby shower that happens this week. I do like to provide a hand knit item to welcome the baby to the world.


This knit was quick. Knit out of Rowan Calmer on a size 5 nylon 16" needle.
I simply cast-on 80 sts and knit in a K2P2 rib until I was almost out of yarn. I did an elastic bind off to create a straight top for the hat. When I changed colors, I knit a plan round to avoid the purl bumps showing up. I thought they would be very distracting. Each time I changed colors, I knit a plain row. This does NOT interfere with the stretch of the hat at all. I topped the hat with a blanket stitch in the green.


This is my sister holding her granddaughter, Quinn. The hat is cute, but not as cute as my great-niece Quinn.
Here's a picture of the hat in progress. I do think that Quinn likes to be photographed, don't you?

Pattern Sheets

I have this attraction for wanting to find knitting patterns for men. There. I said it. Everyone happy?

I've gone to thrift stores searching for the pattern books and pattern sheets from long ago. I like looking through these finds because some of the patterns are really quite nice. The designs are classic (and sometimes very funny). I find them fun and inspiring.

Man's Patterns in Books!

Maybe the tide has turned. There are a few pattern books out there with patterns for men! One rather nice one from Queensland Yarns.

Thanks for the Congratulations on the Class

I wanted to say thank you to those who commented about my experience teaching.

It really was a great experience. Now, what should I teach as a next class?

I wonder about how to get the pattern out from the class I thought? Should I just post it here? Sell it?

Thoughts? Do comment. I love those comments.

Scarf This!

I'm working on a pattern for a class that I'm teaching at my LYS. I have been knitting up a sample for the pattern and don't know which direction to go with it.

So, I present some questions:

1. Do you like a variety of options in patterns? Say I have 4 options of how to knit a particular pattern and write it up all on the same pattern, would that confuse you?
   
2. a scarf in stockinette stitch or garter stitch with a st st edge (to help prevent curling)?
   
3. When reading a pattern, it is helpful to have suggestions for yarns. Do you mind color suggestions? This design is going to depend on the yarn choice and the unexpected difference in color selection.
   
4. How can I help people feel comfortable getting outside of their zone for the colors?
   

Vague questions, aren't they? Suggestions are appreciated.
I'm thinking of using Cider Moon or Jitterbug or Tiny Toes. They all are beautiful, aren't they?

Favorite Socks

Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave arrived today! I am very impressed. Out of the 25 socks included in the book, I would knit no less than 20 of them! I would include a few of the lace ones too!

I'm a big fan of knitting socks for their portability, immediate gratification and reduced expense. It's easier to pay $20 for a skein of good yarn and get a pair of socks that are the envy of your friends and neighbors than trying to cough up $200 for enough yarn for a sweater. I've done both and thoroughly enjoyed them.

Almost all of the socks are knit top down. I sometimes worry about running out of yarn when completing the socks top down. I manage and am learning to cope with just buying one skein instead of panicking. There is one pattern that can be knit toe-up or top down. How fun is that?

I'm not casting on for the month of March. I'm getting stuff off the needles!