Sparkler Hat

Pattern/Technique: Sparkler Hat by Koryn Stone, size 6 months

Modifications: didn't add pompoms to the end of the i-cords but instead tied knots in each i-cord (see notes)

Materials: 1 skein Camp Color CC Fingering per hat

US 2 (2.75 mm) 10” circular needle. Used ChiaoGoo shorties tips in 1.75” length with 6” cable

New skills: n/a

Lessons/Notes: I started knitting this hat on wooden DPNs and the experience was awful. Trying to cast on stitches on DPNs was really tricky and resulted in my tension being way too tight, which was really rough given the higher friction of the wooden needles. Switching to stainless steel circulars was the right call.

When attaching the yarn for the i-cords, I first tried holding the yarn tail double with my working yarn but it made the i-cord stitches pretty thick (thankfully it's covered by the extra long i-cord used to tie the bundle). Later on I attached the yarn using a simple knot then held the tail vertically.

On the 2nd hat I made each of the i-cords roughly 2 inches long so that they looked a bit more consistent.

I tried making pompoms following the instructions in the pattern but found that the short strands were really easy to pull out of the pompom. I was worried about their long term durability so instead of attaching the pompoms I instead tied a single overhand knot in each of the i-cords.

What I'd do differently: Nothing

Care: Hand wash, dry flat

Wheat Kings Scarf (Ensata Scarf)

Pattern/Technique: Ensata Scarf by Amy van de Laar

Modifications: none

Materials: 6 skeins Brooklyn Tweed Peerie in Marigold

US 4 (3.5 mm) circular knitting needle

New skills: n/a

Lessons/Notes: I thought the motif in this pattern was evocative of barley stalks, so I chose a yellow that reminded me of early evenings during harvest season when the light of the sunset turned the fields to liquid gold. When I was a kid we'd drive my grandma's ancient motor home and deliver meals out to the field. After supper I'd usually get a ride in the cab of a combine with my dad along a few swathes, and maybe a handful of wheat to chew into “gum.”

The lace pattern was a really fun one and the finished version was beautiful, though it took me a few repeats to really get the hang of the modified SSK stitch. For easy reference I attached the pattern legend next to the chart on my magnet board.

When switching yarn balls I held both strands together for a few stitches then wove in the ends.

Like many lace patterns, this FO really needs blocking. I don't usually get too fussed about blocking scarves to the schematic dimensions but I tried to get pretty close with this one to have nicely defined barley kernels.

What I'd do differently: n/a

Care: Hand wash, dry flat

tags: #terroir, #knitting, #scarf, #brooklyntweed,