NuttyIrishmanKnits

Graham

 

Graham by Jennifer Adams

Project Specs: knit using Cascade Eco-Alpaca on size US 6 and 8 circulars.

Ben has been requesting a new hat for the last month, and he pretty much gave me the exact specs for what he wanted.  I think when knitting for a guy this makes life so much easier.  Especially a finicky 13 year old.  Guys may not always know exactly what they want when it comes to a wearable knit, but they can give you enough descriptive words that you get the picture.  Ben used words like "rasta, slouchy, and soft."  When I showed him a photo of a true rasta he said, "umm... no, not what I meant."  When I showed him some celebrity photos of guys in slouch hats we hit paydirt.

After that it was smooth sailing, and we had a hat 2 days later.  I knit Graham in baby alpaca which a great choice for a slouch hat.  It drapes so well but also shows good stitch definition.  I've knit another in Cascade 220 heathers and it's turned out great as well, it does need a good soak though for it to soften up and drape like alpaca.  Another great option is Ultra Alpaca.

Knit using a Reverse Broken Rib stitch this hat is completely reversible.  And you can knit it inside out if you prefer knitting every other round to purling them.  You just need to reverse the pattern's knit stitches to purl and purl to knit everywhere they are used.  It's really a super easy pattern that is quick to knit up for Christmas gifts!

After publishing the pattern I realized I hadn't given the crown decrease numbers for the Adult Large and published an update for the pattern that same day.  If you have already downloaded the pattern and your PDF doesn't say GRAHAMrev or GRAHAMv3 you will need to go to your Ravelry library and update your version.  It will say "update available" and all you need do is click on this link for it to update automatically.  You can then print it.

 

This is Andy's version knit in Cascade 220 heathers.  The stitch definition is a bit more visible because of the color and wool, but it softens nicely when blocked.  They love both versions!

Happy Knitting!

Sunday Morning

Who says you can't train a man?  Nothing to talk about this morning, just showing off my guy's mad camera skillz.  Oh, and a damn good cup of coffee.  This is a proud moment.



Ravelers can see my finished Dashing Mitts here.

To fix or not to fix? That is the question.

Well, the votes have been cast, and I am plugging along on my second Norwegian, with deliberate mistakes. You can't imagine how that hurts to write that. Deliberate mistakes? Who on earth makes deliberate mistakes? Apparently me. I do. I admit it. And my brain is in lockdown. I cannot stand to make mistakes, so with knitting, I am always willing to go back and frog. Even happily I would dare to say on some occasions, because I know it's for the good of the knit that I'm doing it. (Remember when your parents said, "This is going to hurt me a lot worse than it hurts you..."?) But this time, I found a glaring boo-boo after I had completely finished the mit. I left out a line! Waaaay back near the beginning. So I was forced to make the choice, do I knit the second mit correctly? or do I deliberately mess it up so it will match the first? AHHHHHH!

I called in reinforcements at the yarn shop and they were direct and to the point. "You gotta mess it up, girl." I appreciate their candor. And I can tell you when I got to that particular line today I wanted to cry. Now I know what my parents meant. But I'm making significant progress now, and can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

And I've been yarn shopping a bit. Recently I keep hearing the term "Yarn Diet" coming up. First time I actually gasped! I already watch what I eat, run, (drink way too much coffee). Now there is a Yarn Diet? If I can't gorge on great yarns what's the point? When it comes to yarn I say carpe diem! Or better, seize the yarn!

Like this great Kona Superwash hand-dyed from Henry's Attic, called Minoan Temple. Yummy.

Or fun Cotton Jeans from Royal Yarns. I picked this yarn for a project I'm starting very soon for Annabelle. Annie inherited my son Ben's Thomas the Tank Engine trains. And, according to her brother, is a "Junior Conductor." I've been wanting to knit her an official conductor's hat for some time, and knew I wanted to use Kiddie Cadet from Kathryn Ivy. This design will be perfect, and the yarn certainly resilient for my junior conductor!

And finally, a great pick-me-up for a frustrating knitting day...

The mailman brought my February issue of Country Living AND I found a new purse at Target! Now that will bring any perfectionist up out of the drama, and get her looking forward to finishing that mit!