knitting lesson

We Call Them Pirates
done!

One thing I've learned about knitting is that if you haven't quite mastered a certain technique or stitch pattern, you will eventually; and for me it happens after many hours of practice.
I let all my mistakes and sloppy tension remain in the hat because if I had ripped and re knit something as small as a hat my patience would wear out and the joy of process would drain. If that happens I’ll not keep trying to get better at stranded knitting.
I have to enjoy the process to practice and in the learning phase it’s more in my nature to just keep going rather than re do.
Coincidentally, this topic came up last weekend when a beginning knitter asked me how to get an even tension on her garter stitch. I told her to keep knitting eventually it will happen. So, I listened to my own advice while making the pirates.



I goofed a few times with the sequence of light and dark, my tension isn't very even and my hem stinks. But it's done and I’m pleased anyway.



Good news bad news: while soaking the hat in a tub of water (at midnight) Johnny got up for a glass of water. When he came back into the room he said, “Did you knit that hat with skulls?”
“Uh, no, why?” awkward lying moment
“Oh, cause it’s pretty cool”.
So, it won’t be too much of a surprise but I know he’ll like it.

The Johnny Cap

Felix wears a snarl and papa’s hat.



I don’t have to worry about the boyfriend curse in regards to knitting him a sweater, as my guy doesn’t wear sweaters; but he does wear hats. Everyday. A couple days ago he asked me to knit him a new hat in a dark, plain color. I was so pleased that he wanted another hat even though he wears the ones I’ve knit all the time. For some reason I’m never sure if he really likes them. My insecurity knows no bounds.
This was knit in one night with wool my father brought back from the Falkland Island’s over four years ago. You never know when stash yarn will be put to use.

Johnny Cap
by Kat Coyle

This is the basic beanie pattern I use to which I embellish with stripes or simple color work when I’m in the mood.

Finished Size 21 1/4” around.

Yarn Worsted weight wool

Needles Size 7 (4.5 mm) 16” circular and set of 4 dpns.

Gauge 18 sts and 27 rnds = 4” in St st.

Pattern Cast on 80 sts. Work 2 x 2 rib for 2”. Work in St st increasing 16 sts on the next round: *K5, M1 *, repeat between * and *; end 96 sts.
Work 4 inches of St st. Decrease next round: * K10, K2tog * repeat between * and *. Knit next round. Decrease every other round until after the K5 K2tog round then decrease every round. Switch to dpn when sts get too tight.
When you have 8 sts cut the yarn and weave through the rem sts. Weave in loose ends.

beret

beret
Originally uploaded by katcoyle.

Here we are at year's end. New Year's and Easter are my favorite holidays. Something about endings and being reborn makes me woozy with hope. A new hat for the New Year, pattern here.