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november 18, 2009
precious (NOT based on the novel Push by Sapphire) Kim Hargreaves sort of dropped off my knitting radar after she started selling her patterns only online in yarn kits, but I spied her new book, Precious, the other day and was left regretting all the beautiful designs I've been missing. I love so many of her sweaters, but I seem to be on a hat kick right now, so I'm getting my Har-groove back with her Lucky beret.
I just love this subtle shade of Malabrigo worsted. It's called "Simply Taupe." Isn't that delightful? I bought the yarn on a trip to Seed Stitch in Salem, Mass back when wee was just a baby and had kept it stashed for a future scarf or hat. But now I'm convinced that all Malabrigo should become hats. Thing is, it just never itches my forehead like so many other wools eventually do. And its tendency to felt makes the hat even warmer. It's perfect! What is not perfect, however, is that darned silly hang-up the Brits have about knitting everything flat and seaming it. Oh, Kim, seam a beret?! Really?! A little too precious, I think. posted by alison at 5:29 pm | in
smells like snow
Comments
Can you figure out how to knit this in the round and avoid the seam? (What am I asking? Of course YOU can!) Posted by: Sandee at November 18, 2009 5:29 PMI agree, I love Malabrigo for hats. I never used to wear a hat (the hat hair thing) but now I have a few and actually wear them. Posted by: Suzanne at November 18, 2009 7:06 PMOh yeah, Sandee, there's just two selvedge stitches that I'm not including. I cast on 2 fewer stitches and then ignore the K1 at the beginning and end of each ROW that are not necessary when you're working in the round. Posted by: ALISON at November 18, 2009 9:17 PMOhhhhh... it's not just the British. Knitting in the round terrifies the bejeepers out of me. And I like my bejeepers right where they are, thank you. I have so little space for my straight needles and my circular needles (which are used for large things like afghans). I can't imagine keeping a set of DPNs in every size, much less acquiring the skills to use them and keep them from falling all over the place. Oh... my poor bejeepers... Posted by: LibbyH at November 19, 2009 10:54 AMLibbyH, You could try magic loop or knitting in the round on two circulars if you don't like DPN. My favorite method happens to be two circulars (for small circumferences), but everyone has their own individual preference. Unless of course you LIKE seaming (gack!), in which case you can feel free to seam away! Posted by: Jess at November 19, 2009 11:07 AMUmmmm excuse me!!! Most of us Brits knit berets and hats in the round, even if the designer doesn't.!!!!! like your taupe one. Posted by: Anne at November 19, 2009 11:39 AMUmmmm excuse me!!! Most of us Brits knit berets and hats in the round, even if the designer doesn't.!!!!! like your taupe one. Posted by: Anne at November 19, 2009 11:40 AMCute! I love Malabrigo, but I never can find the colors I really want even at a well stocked store. I'm going back to Windsor Button tonight (I think I've been once a week for the past month), and maybe I'll pick up a little something to go with my crochet cotton. Posted by: Seanna Lea at November 19, 2009 12:56 PMLibby, DPNs aren't nearly as bad once you give them a try or two, maybe with the support of a friend. They can be a little awkward but they do come in handy. Anne, good to know that most Brits are like the rest of us ;) Once I learned how to do a hat in the round I didn't want to go back to seaming. Posted by: Anita at November 19, 2009 3:27 PMOh Anne, I'm so relieved to hear it!! It seems everytime I pick up a Debbie Bliss or Zoe Mellor book, it's all knit a bazillion pieces and seam. I'm glad to hear they're not the norm. And I hear you Libby about all the DPN's. It is a pain to have to have them/store them/search for them in every size! Posted by: ALISON at November 19, 2009 4:10 PMHave you ever knit with di.Ve' Autunno? When I saw the photo posted I was sure that is what your newest beret was from. It looks so close to what I made a couple of cabled hats out of last year. Anyway, if you ever see it, give it a try. It is really lovely. Posted by: Sandee at November 19, 2009 7:08 PMI remember all the knit flat and seam hats from the Rowan catalogs... and I believe a good number of them were designed by Kim! It's nice to see from the other comments that the rest of the world also enjoys knitting in the round :) Posted by: Kate at November 20, 2009 9:58 AMMy first vehicle was taupe. I used to love to hear people argue whether it was beige or pink. I am going to have to try this yarn and this hat pattern! Posted by: Sinclair at November 21, 2009 10:08 PM |
