Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Drive By Yarning


I made a bunch of hats for the Malmstrom gate guards who had to work on Christmas. (They are simple winter caps with ribbed brim and raglan decreases.) It was fun to do something nice for those guys. They are always pleasant and they work outside 365 days a year. Here is the pattern if you want to make one. I used both Paton's Classic Merino Wool and Plymouth Galway in black to make them...



My gauge is 18 stitches and 24 rows with these needles, but I knit Continental Style and very loosely.
Cast on 88 stitches with size 5 needle.

Work K1, P1 rib for 1.5 inches.

Switch to size 6 dpns, putting 22 stitches on each needle.

Work in plain stocking stitch until hat measures 6 inches from cast on edge.

Repeat decrease rows (as follows) until eight stitches remain--two stitches per needle. End with row 1.

Row 1: K2tog, knit to two last stitches on needle, SSK. Repeat for all 4 needles.
Row 2: Knit all stitches.
Cut yarn, leaving a 12 inch tail. Thread tail on yarn needle and sew through live stitches left on needles, following the direction you were knitting. Pull tight. Weave in end going the opposite direction through those same eight stitches, then bury it in the purl bumps on the inside of the hat.
Weave in cast on tail.

Do not stretch to block. Wash gently in mild soap and allow to dry flat. Hard blocking will stretch the ribbing.

No comments: