Since
I’ve learned to spin I have stashed an incredible number
of gorgeous skeins of handspun yarn. It's a difficult
task to find the right project for each of them,
but I am determined to do so, starting with some of my firsts.
They are uneven, and lumpy, the colors may not be right, but
I love them all the same and I think they have their place in
the world.
I find this textured hat and neckwarmer to be forgiving
with slight thickness and texture variations in the
yarn, also you can adjust the length of the neckwarmer to the
amount of yarn you have, provided you can wrap it around your
neck.
Both hat and neckwarmer are worked flat, then the sides of the
hat are sewn. The peaks are shaped with short rows, and are adapted
from an exercise we did in a machine knitting class.
Hat Circumference unstretched: 18.9 inches Due to the stretchy nature
of handspun yarn, the hat will accommodate a variety of head circumferences.
MATERIALS
Fiber: Neckwarmer World
of wool [100% merino; top]; color: it was purchased undyed; 3.5 ounces. I hand painted the fiber with acid dyes in shades of orange, yellow and
red, and to set the colors the yarn was wrapped in plastic film and placed
in the oven in a baking dish, covered with water. Hat World
of Wool [100% merino; top]; color: it
was purchased undyed; 2 ounces I dyed the fiber with acid dyes in pastel shades of blue pink and lilac.
Finished Yarn:
Neckwarmer Ply:
2 Wraps
per inch: 10-12 Yardage
used: 218 yd Hat Ply:
2 Wraps
per inch: 12-14 Yardage
used: 154 yd
Drafting Method: Neckwarmer Short
draw worsted Hat Short
draw
Commercial Yarn Alternative: Neckwarmer Manos
del Uruguay Maxima [100%merino; 218yd per 100g skein]; color: m6220;
1 skeins Noro
Kureyon [100% wool; 110yd per 50 g skein], 2 balls Austermann
Creative+fiz [100% wool; 109yd per 50g skein], 2 skeins Hat Gedifra
Fashion Trend Fino Stripe [51% wool, 49% acrylic; 147yd per 50 g skein],
2 skeins
Recommended needle size [always use a needle size that
gives you the gauge listed below --
every knitter's gauge is unique] 1
set of US #8/5mm straight needles
Tools 4
3/4 inch buttons [buy buttons
after project is complete to ensure
they'll fit] US B-1/2.25mm crochet hook yarn needle
GAUGE
Neckwarmer
18 sts/20 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch Hat
18 sts/22 rows = 4 inches in stockinette
stitch
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
If there are no more stitches left
at the end of the row, simply turn instead of wrap and turn.
When working over wrapped stitches, work the wrap(s) together with
the stitch to hide them.
Alternate section 1 and section 2 3 more times (you will have
8 ‘crest’ ridges), or as many as you need to reach
desired length. BO.
HAT
Cast on 80 sts.
Starting with a purl row, work 9 rows
in stockinette stitch.
Follow directions for Section One of
Neckwarmer up to Row 20.
Repeat Rows 1-20 13 more times; work
Rows 1-19 again.
Next row [RS]: K to end.
Work 3 rows in stockinette stitch, ending
with a WS row.
Decrease row [RS]: [K6, k2tog] around. 70 sts.
Follow directions for Section Two of Neckwarmer up to row 20.
Repeat Rows 1-20 11 more times; work
Rows 1-19 again.
Next row [WS]: P to end.
Work 2 rows in stockinette stitch, ending
with a WS row.
Decrease row [RS]: [K5, k2tog] around. 60 sts. Next row [WS]: P to end.
Follow directions for Section One of Neckwarmer up to row 20.
Repeat Rows 1-20 9 more times; work Rows
1-19 again.
Next row [RS]: K to end.
Work 3 rows in stockinette stitch, ending
with a WS row.
Decrease row [RS]: [K2tog] around. 30 sts.
Follow directions for Section Two of Neckwarmer up to row 20.
Repeat Rows 1-20 3 more times; work Rows 1-19 again.
Next row [WS]: P to end.
Decrease row [RS]: [K1, k2tog] around. 20 sts.
Next row [WS]: P to end.
Decrease row [RS]: [K2tog] around. 10 sts.
Thread yarn through the remaining stitches twice and pull tight
to close.
FINISHING
Using mattress stitch, seam the sides of the hat together.
Sew 4 buttons evenly spaced on the right end of the neckwarmer,
after the last ridge.
On the left side, make 4 crochet button holes as follows: with
a crochet hook, join yarn to the first stitch of the cast on
row, work 8 (or as many as required depending on the size of
your buttons) chain stitches and join to the 3rd stitch of the
cast on row, work 7 chain stitches joining each one to the next
cast on stitch, repeat from beginning until you have 4 button
holes.
Weave in ends. Don't block.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Scientist, spinner, knitter and dyer, crafter, lazing in
Menorca.
