We interrupt the shawl indecision-making to bring you a little diversion:
Pattern: Baby Pirates Hat (aka Baby Skull Hat) from Jennifer at Purse-Ho Knits
Yarn: Plymouth Wildflower DK in pink and purple, 51% cotton 49% acrylic
Needles: size 4 US 16" circular and size 4 US DPNs
Gauge: 6 sts and 7 rows to the inch (or at least that's what it's supposed to be, hehehe)
So Jen generously provided this pattern for me to test knit because I couldn't resist the juxtoposition of a skull and crossbones image in girly pink and purple colors. Jen, I'm not sure I'm the best person to test knit anything! It's been over a year since I did any two-color work; confession - I had to take a peek at the Philosopher's Wool video for 2-handed fair isle to reacquaint myself with this technique. And yeah, my stitches are so uneven but a little toss in the wash should help. Eventually. No, I didn't block this before I took a picture of it. *slap my wrist*
Comments on the pattern for Jen: easy! I didn't have a hard time with it at all. My only suggestions are (1) recommending when to switch to the DPNs. I switched after I did the first 2 rows in the decreasing section but it probably would've been easier right after finishing the chart. And (2) in the decrease section, row 7 requires 5 k2tog's and a k1. Picky, yes, but you asked! Other than those 2 things I can't think of anything else to add. If I can knit this in a few hours, even though I had to re-learn the 2-handed technique, then anyone can. Thanks Jen!!
The instructions said to stick the hat onto the nearest baby so I looked around and discovered there was this baby just lying there and....yar.OK, so back to the indecisive shawl for a minute. I want to knit a shawl because we're going to another wedding at the end of the month. Either one of the patterns I've already started would be just fine if the wedding is indoors. You can see where I'm going with this.
The wedding is in the Bay Area, outdoors, on a rooftop and in the early evening. The setting sounds truly romantic and I commend Erika for being so creative (because that's just the way she is). But dang it, I'm going to be cold! And it even says so in the invitation - "bring a jacket or shawl".
The other shawls won't cut it, thermal-wise. I've been hunting for a stitch pattern that would be dressy yet wouldn't be so holey that I would feel the draft. What do you think of this? My swatch for a proposed wrap (aren't wraps rectangular?). It's in Debbie Bliss cashmerino aran and I found the stitch in the latest IK. Check out the Weekend Pullover designed by Veronik Avery. My swatch is the center panel of Van Dyke Lace.
What do you think?
13 comments:
The Pirate hat looks only that much more adorable on the little pirate!
As for the shawl, I love the pattern, it looks warm, but dressy, and I really am loving the Cashmerino Aran in the fingerless gloves I've made one set of and am on the second--it would be very warm and soft.
OMG thanks for testing this for me! your little pirate looks SO CUTE! and thanks for your input on the decreases..i really needed another opinion...no matter how long it's been since you touched the needles. :) you are still a great knitter! w/ a little distraction! btw...your baby has gotten even MORE cute. :)
your shawl swatch looks great! :)
That baby you've got lying around is even more adorable than the hat (if that's possible)!
Karalyn is really, really adorable!!!
And the hat looks super cute on her.
Well, the hat is just adorable and it is so handy that you have a built-in model! Have you seen the pattern for Tulip booties in the latest Knitty? Fast and easy, but then there would still be no shawl...
The kid finally makes herself useful! I didn't know it was possible for her to get cuter, but she did, and the purple skulls rock.
The Van Dyke Lace looks perfect.
The hat is absolutely awesome! Great colors for a baby! And I love the shawl, the leaves are very elegant.
That's the cutest pirate I've ever seen. Great work on the hat and awesome color choice.
Oh that is the cutest pirate ever, Johnny Depp watch out!
She is the sweetest baby, well besides Violet, I've ever seen.
that hat worked out really great!! and karalyn is so adorable in it. =)
The lace swatch looks like it would absolutely work for a warmish rectangular wrap. At that gauge, tho, you're not going to get a lot of drape out of that aran yarn. So I'd say if you're okay with that, knit on! It would be so soft and cozy.
the pink and purple skull and cross bones ... LOVE IT!!!! And it looks so cute on that little baby girl you just happened to find laying around. Adorable baby. With adorable hat.
The hat is absolutely darling. I love it, and I love the colours. I have often knitted that lace pattern, sometimes called horseshoe. It is great to knit as you learn the pattern easily, and can read where you are from the rows below. I put it on the yoke of the vest for mum - photo on my blog
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