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The Unique Sheep




I love stranded knitting but definitely dislike weaving the ends, so I came up these tams.

They are worked in the round in what I call “beginner’s Fair Isle knitting”. Using a variegated yarn as the contrast color, you are able to achieve the effect of a more complicated Fair Isle pattern by using just the same two strands from cast on to bind off!

Choose your favourite variegated worsted weight yarn (or simply some leftovers) for your own unique tams! They are quick to make and fun to knit.

model & photos: Angela Sixian Wu

SIZE
One
 
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Brim Circumference (unstretched, before blocking): 18 inches
Tam Circumference (unstretched, before blocking): 24 inches

After blocking with a 10.5 inch diameter plate, the finished tam will have a circumference of 33 inches (10.5 inches in diameter).
 
MATERIALS

[MC] Approx. 109yd/100m solid-colored worsted weight wool
Tams A and B shown in Ella Rae Classic [100% Wool; 220yd/200m per 100g skein]; color: #06; 1 skein
Tam C shown in Plymouth Yarns Galway Worsted [100% Wool; 220yd/200m per 100g skein]; color: #01; 1 skein

[CC] Noro Silk Garden [45% Silk, 45% Mohair, 10% Lambswool; 109yd/100m per 50g skein]; 1 skein [Tam A shown in color #241, Tam B shown in a comination of colors #241 and #255, Tam C shown in color #255]

Recommended needle size:
1 16-inch US#4/3.5mm circular needle
1 24-inch US#6/4mm circular needle
1 set US#6/4mm double-point needles
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]

Stitch marker
Tapestry needle
Dinner plate, 10.5 inches in diameter (used for blocking)

 
GAUGE
20 sts/ 26 rows = 4 inches in chart pattern using larger needles
 
PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty’s list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here]

The Long-Tail Cast On is recommended for this project. Directions for this method can be found here.

S2KP: Slip next 2 sts together knitwise, as if working a k2tog; k next st, pass slipped sts over. Forms a centered double decrease.

Corrugated Rib (Worked in the round over an even number of sts):
Set-up Round: [K1 using MC, k1 using CC] to end.
Pattern Round: [K1 using MC, p1 using CC] to end.
Repeat Pattern Round for Corrugated Rib.

 

PATTERN

Note: All tams are worked in the same way.

Using 16-inch US#4/3.5mm circular needle and MC, CO 96 sts. Place marker and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.

Work 7 rounds in Corrugated Rib.

Next Round: Using MC, [k4, m1] to end.

Switch to 24-inch US#6/4mm circular needle and work all rounds of chart.

Except where otherwise noted, chart is worked 6 times in each round.

When last round of chart is complete, 6 sts remain. Break yarn.

Using MC for Tam A or CC for Tams B or C, draw tail through remaining sts and pull tight.

FINISHING

Soak tam in water with a small amount of a gentle soap.

Rinse, and squeeze gently to remove excess water.

Stretch tam over dinner plate, postioning the tam carefully so that the pattern is centered.

Allow to dry completely.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Angela is an Engineering Science student at the University of Toronto. She knits secretly in her attic bedroom near the St. George Campus.

She blogs here.