A week ago, I was deep in the middle of the collar for Violette-le-duc. It was inches and inches of 1x1 ribbing, and I had had enough! I had to cast on for something different.
Pattern: Droplet Hat (Rav) from Knitting Nature by Norah Gaughan
Yarn: Dream in Color Classy in Midnight Derby, less than 1 skein
Needles: US 6 and US 8
Time to Knit: January 17
Modifications: This pattern was written to be knit flat and then seamed, so I converted it to knit in the round. I don't see any reason at all to knit this flat, unless you really like straight needles!
This pattern was fun to knit, and I liked the resulting hat more than I thought I would. Even though there are a lot of bobbles in the pattern, the hat doesn't seem to scream "Bobbles!" when worn.
I didn't check my gauge before I started, and the hat ended up just a little too small. This yarn does grow when wet, so I got a little extra room from that. I then went back to the cast on edge, picked up a stitch in every cast-on stitch, and worked a few more rows (purl 2 rows, knit 1 row, repeat) and bound off using the decrease bind off.
Even after knitting this hat, I still did not feel like getting back to that 1x1 ribbing. So I knit another hat.
Pattern: Side Slip Cloche (Rav) from Boutique Knits by Laura Irwin
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted, less than 1 skein
Needles: US 5
Time to Knit: January 18-19
This hat was the reason I bought Boutique Knits, and I really like it. The sideways band really fits snugly around my ears; this is great for cold weather! My gauge was a little tight with this hat, too, so it doesn't have as much slouch as I might have liked. It was a fun and simple knit, and I started a second one for me!
Both of these hats are knit for my husband's cousin. She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is going through chemo. I haven't met her yet, but I've been told she likes blue. I thought I'd send her two pretty different hats in the hopes that she really likes at least one of them and is able to wear it when she needs it.
Since it took me a week to tell you about these hats (hey the post IS titled "Procrastination"), I've since finished the pieces for my sweater and they're blocking now. I'll give you an update soon.
The side slip cloche is really pretty, even elegant. Maybe I need to buy Boutique Knits.
Posted by: Chrissy | January 25, 2009 at 01:07 PM
I think your husband's cousin will like them both, and I bet she'll get lots of compliments. :)
Posted by: Antoinette | January 25, 2009 at 02:02 PM
Ug, if I see one more Side Slip Cloche (which isn't gracing my head!) I'm going to scream!!! I want one so bad! Yours (well, your cousin-in-law's) is such a gorgeous color!
Posted by: grumperina | January 25, 2009 at 02:06 PM
Those hats are both super cute. You're definitely a hat person! I'm sure they will be well received by the recipient too. :)
Posted by: Clumsy Knitter | January 25, 2009 at 04:18 PM
Beautiful hats!
Posted by: Emilee | January 25, 2009 at 06:22 PM
:) Nothing wrong with mixing it up a little! 1x1 rib is horrible in large doses!!!!
Posted by: stacey | January 26, 2009 at 09:10 AM
Cute! I hope she likes them.
Posted by: Jessica | January 26, 2009 at 10:22 AM
snug is good. You would be surprised how much hair takes you up a size in hats. A hat that was not snug might fall down over your eyes without hair.
Posted by: Paula Boren | January 26, 2009 at 10:50 AM
I love both those hats and your cousin-in-law will love them too. Malbrigo is the softest most wonderful yarn for hats. DIC Classy is soft & squooshy!
Posted by: Kim | January 26, 2009 at 04:45 PM
Beautiful hats! I love that bright blue in the cloche.
Posted by: whitney | January 26, 2009 at 07:31 PM
Lovely hats!
Posted by: Andrea | January 27, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Beautiful hats! I bet your new cousin will like them both. And both yarns are so soft against the skin; she'll appreciate that too. Best wishes to her for a speedy recovery.
Posted by: Brenda | January 27, 2009 at 10:32 PM
These hats are great! I love the droplet hat, the color is great!
Posted by: nova | January 27, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Cute cute cute!
Posted by: tiennie | January 27, 2009 at 11:24 PM
That's it! I have to make that cloche now. I should probably buy new yarn for it, too. I blame you. :)
Posted by: Ariel | January 28, 2009 at 12:50 PM