Cast On: Volcan Hat

The next hat is on the needles after my Azules Hat finished. I am calling this the Volcan Hat.

Still a skein of Malabrigo Rios from my dopamine shopping trip in the color Volcan. For sure this is my next meeting/training knitting. In no shock to this space, this is my go-to 88 stitch basic beanie recipe on US 8s. My coworker really liked this yarn and called it “autumnal” and I think they are right. You really can’t go wrong with Malabrigo colors. And at this rate, I’m on track to knit them all!

Happy Knitting!!

Starting The Rainbow

Since my Synthe is (mostly) off the needles, I got myself to get my Rainbow Radiate on the needles!

I have stitch gauge but I am off in row gauge, which means I need to pay attention to length by measurement and not row count. I am using a DK mini set from Hue Loco as my contrast that I hope creates a rainbow effect on the yolk. I am 50/50 on whether this will be gorgeous or hideous. Have to knit it to find out!

And Oy Vey…..I will have ends to weave in!!

Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Luminous Hat

We are gearing up for travel, spring sports and lots of time in the backyard. I also need to start earning points for SSK 2025. This all added up to a new cast on!

I grabbed my new square needles and a skein of Another Crafty Girl Merino Worsted in Luminous color to start my basic beanie recipe. It’s 88 stitches on a US 8. If I can get this done then I can earn points for my knitting retreat this summer.

I am liking the square needles. I don’t know that my hands get any less tired but they do feel nice in my fingers. This project is going to live in my purse/backpack for “in between knitting” needs.

Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Vas Hat

My hat mojo may be waning but it sure does make for good travel and meeting knitting. After finishing my Scandia Hat, I had not “on the go” knitting available. So I grabbed a skein that was already wound and got started on a basic beanie.

I have used a LOT of Rios over the last year so I am pretty confident in my gauge. I based on my normal 88 stitches on US 8 needle. I was not in the mood for ribbing today so this hat will have another stockinette brim.

I did get myself a fancy pedicure to brush away the winter doldrums! Here’s hoping soft yarn and clean toes will get me all the way to spring!

Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Synthe

I finally knuckled under and cast on my Synthe sweater. My swatch told me I was on gauge and I am making the 44 1/2 size.

This starts at the neck and appears to not have a neckline. Just cast on and get straight to stockinette. The pattern shows no rolling but I don’t have confidence in my version. I may have to add some reinforcement to my neck opening.

So far the knitting is fast as the stitch count is still increasing. The yarn, Brooklyn Tweed Shelter, has a lot of veg matter in it that I am picking out as I go. I am not alternating skeins yet but I may do that as I get to the main body. My biggest hurdle is keeping the stitch markers from opening and falling off.

Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Touchdown Beanie Chiefs #2

I did in fact decide to cast on another Chiefs Touchdown Hat with my leftovers from the kit I purchased.

I did opt to make a medium size this time instead of large, so as not to tempt the yarn chicken gods. I had training all day today and I powered through ribbing and the second two color additions. Stopped short of starting the chart for the pattern as I need concentration.

I also hedged a tiny bit and worked 1/2 an inch less of ribbing to conserve my use of the red color. I am eager to start the colorwork again now that I have had some practice. I know what kind of tails I need to leave and where I tended to knit too tightly or made errors on the chart.

This should be a quick finish! (Famous last words…) Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Frankenstein Hat #3

I had the itch to clear out some more scraps the other day. It’s getting a little more interesting to dig through my bag of leftovers and find cohesive coordination. I mulled my options and went with yellows, oranges and reds.

I am working the Musselburgh style pattern though I am not bothering with stitch counts or gauge. This hat will be what it will be and it will fit someone. I always dislike the tiny cast on and messing with so many needles in a small area but it always works.

I did use my darning needle to close up the cast on hole while it was this little. I hope future Rachelle thanks me! Happy Knitting!!

Dewberry Do-Over

I ripped out the original start of my Dewberry Hat and started over again on DPNs.

I intend to work this hat on US 10s but I don’t have any DPNs in that size so I am using my US 8s and hoping for the best. I am working to be as loose as I can manage to make the change in needles less obvious.

I am going to increase up until I have 72 stiches total and then put the project on circulars to work the remainder. I am using the M1L and M1R increases at end of each DPN for a box like increase section. And after all the messing around with this yarn….this is going to be a vanilla hat body with ribbed brim. I am encouraged to get these couple of hats behind me and move on to less vexing choices.

Happy Knitting!!

Trying Again

I got my Iris Hat up and going new needles!

I am on US 10s with 72 total stitches. I worked like a one inch folded brim and then the remainder of this yarn is going into the body of the hat. Trying to avoid yarn chicken. I have told myself to decide on the brim when I get to the end of the skein. That’s a future Rachelle problem…..

Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Dewberry Hat

My mom’s trip is bearing down on me and I need to get these last hats done! I already had the Iris Hat on the needles and I also started this second hat in Malabrigo Mecha in a color called Dewberry.

I am sensing some doom on my other hat. So for this one I cast on fewer stitches to make this bulky skein go farther. I think I am at 70 ish stitches for a vanilla stockinette beanie. I am waffling on folded brim or no folded brim.

I really should finish the Iris first so I don’t make the same mistakes twice. But where is the fun in that! Happy Knitting!!