A Tip on Blocking Hat Decreases

Several of my hat patterns are somewhat tubular in shape (including the recently released Fall Flux Hats and Whelk Hat).

When hats are shaped like long tubes, it is sometimes difficult to block the hat decreases so they don't pucker at the top of the hat.

My favorite way to block hats like this is by using a tub of protein whey, like the one pictured below. I borrow one of these tubs (barrels?) from my boyfriend whenever I need to block hat decreases! I'm sure he thinks I'm crazy - but it works!

The key is to block the hat flat until it is about halfway dry. You just want it damp, not wet. That way, it won't stretch the hat out of shape while the decreases relax.

When the hat is halfway dry, place it gently over the inverted tub. Smooth the crown decreases flat and make sure the sides are even across the brim. Make sure you haven't stretched or pulled the hat during this process.

The crown decreases should look like this:

A lot less puckering, right? And the finished product looks like this:

Recipe for a Cowl

I really like it when knitting patterns are written as recipes, allowing the knitter to easily adapt and change the item as it suits them.

My most recent design is a recipe of sorts. The Geometric Cowl Recipe has several components that you can combine in order to create a unique piece every time you use the pattern.

The possibilities are endless - yarn choice (color-changing, solids, heathers) and color contrast, multicolored or solid ribbing, to braid or no braid, mirrored or continuous colorwork triangles…

I knit the two samples featured above, using the recipe as my guide. The difference is drastic!

Example 1: High Contrast Version

Main Color: Noro Taiyo Sock (color 3 shown)

Contrast Color: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light (Antler shown)

Recipe Used:

• 1 Solid Yarn & 1 Color-Changing Yarn
• 2 Color Ribbing
• Double Braid
• Mirrored Colorwork
• Double Braid
• 2 Color Ribbing

Example 2: Subtle Version

Main Color: Brooklyn Tweed LOFT (Truffle Hunt shown)

Contrast Color: Brooklyn Tweed LOFT (Old World shown)

Recipe Used:

• 2 Solid Tweed/Heathered Yarns
• Solid Color Ribbing (MC)
• Garter Ridge (MC)
• Continuous Colorwork
• Garter Ridge (CC)
• Solid Color Ribbing (CC)

Enjoy customizing your own Geometric Cowls – I can’t wait to see the results!

$6.50

The Summer Stack Collection is Now Complete!

The Summer Stack e-book subscription is finally complete!

Ending up with 9 patterns (many of which have multiple versions), this puppy is quite the steal at $20. And the patterns are also available separately :)

Here's the quick rundown, in case you're wondering what you might have missed!

The Striper Cowl - delicious, squishy garter stitch in two yarns.

The Whelk Hat, which comes in 2 versions, using Malabrigo Finito and Brooklyn Tweed LOFT.

The Pierce Cowl & Neckwarmer - flat and in-the-round versions.

The Hyacinth Cowl - an last-minute addition to the Summer Stack collection, using Artyarns Ensemble.

The Indigo Swan Cowl, which uses just one lovely skein of the super special Swans Island Worsted.

The Inyo Cowl, designed to feature Anzula's beautiful, lofty alpaca yarn.

The stunningly simple City Lights Cowl, which holds 2 special strands together.

The Fall Flux Hats, which are perfect summer-to-fall transition pieces.

And, last but not least, the Geometric Cowl Recipe.

From now until January 1st, the Summer Stack collection will remain at the discounted price of $20. This price includes all of the patterns listed above.

After the New Year, the price will increase to $25.

Purchase Summer Stack now at the $20 price!

Happy New Year!

Wool People 4 Look Book

As usual, everything from Jared Flood's camp is extremely beautiful, detailed and inspiring. Kudos.

If you haven't already seen it, here's the look book for Wool People Volume 4.

Quick Holiday Gift Knitting Ideas

Hi friends. I know you're all working away diligently, stitching gorgeous, inspired holiday gifts.

I have a secret. I haven't started my gift knitting yet. It's December 11th. And, to make things worse, I don't even have a plan. No list. No yarn purchased or patterns selected. Nothing.

Sound familiar?

Well, if it does, here are a few ideas for quick holiday gift knits. Each of these patterns takes 1 skein of lovely yarn and a few hours of your time.

Lakeshore Cowl

Created as part of the Malabrigo Freelance Pattern Project, the Lakeshore Cowl uses 1 skein (for the small size) of Malabrigo Rasta. buy now

Obstacles Hat

Part of an earlier collection of mine, the Obstacles Hat works up like greased lightning. Only 3 rounds of cabling and you're done. buy now

The Warmer

Beginners and experts alike love knitting this simple neckwarmer. One skein of super bulky yarn, like Malabrigo Rasta or Cascade Magnum, 2 hours of your time, and you get a lovely gift :) buy now

Riverside Cowl

With a bit of squishy sport weight yarn - I recommend Malabrigo Arroyo or The Wool Dispensary's Useful Restorative - you get this highly textured piece. buy now

The Cowl

A cousin to The Warmer, this piece is worked up flat, and then seamed using a 3 needle bindoff. It looks cool when the seam is worn as a decorative element on the outside. buy now

Good luck with your gift knitting!