First Hat example

My first hat is finished! I had to give up on my bamboo and pearl viscose yarn. It was so soft to knit with, but alas, just would not hold its shape. Looked like a wet wash cloth draped over the head. I switched to a Debbie Bliss Cashmerino. It's a blend of Cashmere and Marino wool. Very soft but holds it's shape beautifully.
I decided to go with my idea of not sewing the brim together and adding some apple blossoms. These are crocheted from a little left over yarn. I followed the pattern in the 100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet book. You can find a link to purchase your own copy on the Library Page. The result of this little design is that the hat looks more like a cloche than a knitted winter hat, much more feminine. Just a thought....
Oh, and you can make your own mannequin too. All you need is a balloon (blown up to the size of your head) a paper cup for the neck, a roll of heavy paper for shoulders, plaster strips from the art store and voila! If you are clamoring for more precise directions - let me know, I can write something up. Also, she is not yellow anymore. I thought that color was a bit much. I've painted her a nice sky blue. Much easier on the eyes.

Week 6: And now, for something different

Hello Everyone - hope you enjoyed the poofs - and I also hope you were more with it than I was and that you got the poofs of the right side! Ah well, it's supposed to look good on both sides anyway, and I think it does.
As I was looking at my scarf though, I realized that on one side things looked a little bit redundant. So I think this week we should add something to break things up.I thought we should add a flower from this book to the border between the brioche and the back of the poofs. You can purchase this book from Amazon here. I love it and use it all the time just to make little things. I chose the clematis pattern and I'm also including a leaf and a ladybug. I haven't put the ladybug on yet - I'm not convinced about it yet. I'll have to think about it. Ladybugs are for luck though...For the clematis - if you have a yarn stash - use whatever color you wish. You can also use the same color as your scarf of course. I thought of putting three across the middle there - but right now I think one will do. All of the patterns are scanned below, if you can't read them, double click on the image and it should blow up for you.
Here's your knitting glossary:
sts= stitches
K2tog= knit 2 together
k= knit
kfb = knit in the front and back of the same loop (you get two stitches out of one)
yo = yarn over
ssk= slip slip knit. slip two stitches knitwise (as though you were going to knit them) from the left needle to the right needle, knit through the back of the loops.
m= make one. pick up the top rung of yarn between the stitches. Place on the left needle, knit this look making sure that the yarn crosses over to close - there should not be a hole.
psso= pass slip stitch over.
Enjoy!