Did you know that 30% of the body’s heat is lost through the head? I mention this for a couple of reasons, the first of which is that it is 27 degrees in Prince Edward this morning. (That’s fahrenheit. After 12+ years in the US, I just can’t get with the Celsius.) The second: it’s a great reason to knit hats!
I followed the link to Rose Red from Harmonic Oscillator and boy, I’m glad I did. This was such a fun and quick knit that I made two over the weekend and I’d love a third. The fit is delightfully slouchy and doesn’t cause hat-head! I have to say that this is one of the best-written patterns I’ve used in a looooong time. If you recall, I haven’t had the best of luck with knitting patterns lately so Rose Red was a very refreshing change. This pattern is very straightforward; there is no distracting, extraneous information. It does not attempt to teach you to knit. It is a straight-from-the-hip, no nonsense pattern, nicely presented and with stitch counts for just about every row. It is a bite-sized and virtually fool-proof lace pattern and would make a very good first project for anyone wanting to learn to knit lace. Cheers, Ysolda S. Teague! Can’t wait to try more of her patterns.
I did make a tiny change, though. Enamored as I’ve become with my newly-acquired tubular cast-on, I wondered if there was a way to get that nice, finished edge when working in a top-down situation. After a little research, Huzzah!, the tubular bind-off! Not only did this technique produce the super elastic, rolled edge I wanted but it gave me a great deal of insight into its companion cast on and a glimpse at double knitting. TECHknitting is a witty, brilliantly written site which will soon be part of my blog roll. I only wish I could follow it via email.
Rose Red calls for Orkney Angora which I’m given to understand is a sweetly soft and smooshy yarn. If I could have found it while yarn shopping on a whim, I probably would have bought it. Angora, however, always manages to find its way under my contact lenses so instead I chose Aslan Trends Royal Alpaca, a DK weight yarn with a subtle halo that I’d never tried. It was perfect. At 19+ microns, this is the softest and silkiest alpaca I’ve ever used and believe me, this baby is WARM! I don’t intend to lose one single percentage point of precious body heat!
Harlee Cole
Hello Pearl,
I took your advice and guess what.. it worked!!! I am so happy with the finished product. Wonderful and warm. I used Berocco’s Ultra Alpaca and it was just such a pleasure to work with.
Could you tell me how you blocked your hat. I am afraid to, since the fit is perfect. I don’t want it to “grow”.
Here is my take on Rose Red
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/harleecole/rose-red
Cheers,
Harlee Cole
Pearl
That’s really great!! I love Ultra Alpaca…great yarn, great price! I wet-blocked my hats on dinner plates which opened up the lace motif quite a bit. However, I found it did flatten it out quite a bit; I was kind of enjoying the fact that it sat up a little on my head before blocking. If I had it to do over, I think I’d just lay it out gently without stretching it at all.
lagrancostanza
Your Rose Reds are lovely! It’s such a great pattern, isn’t it!
Pearl
It really is! It’s really fun to knit, not hard, yet it looks like you’ve knitted something magnificent 🙂 …and NO hat head!
Harlee Cole
Hello Pearl,
Thanks for the advice. I will try this hat again, this time I will make sure I have enough yarn for my project!
I will try the first technique you suggested, I use the latter, but again it make a much larger hole. I enjoy your post as always. Hopefully I can share this project, once I finish all the ones I have on the go!
Cheers,
Harlee Cole
Pearl
Great! I’d love to see pictures!
Harlee Cole
Wonderful work!I also got enamored and made this hat twice, but ran out of yarn and had to frog it. It so happens that I just got around to frogging the second one yesterday and was thinking of re-knitting it cause it is such a great pattern.
Just a question …how do you YO,P1 without creating a huge hole?
Thanks,
Harlee Cole
Pearl
Thanks, Harlee! You should knit it…such a fun pattern! Regarding the yo, p1…A yo always makes a hole. That’s part of its function in lace knitting. If you’re starting from a yarn in back position (your last stitch was a knit), it can be done two ways: make your yo over the top of the needle rather than under it or move the yarn to the front (as to purl), then work a normal yo. This will make a bigger hole, though.
Have fun with the pattern!
Tracy
Boy sure would look nice in the baby blanket wool I have which would match my infinity scarf. Should I include the wool in a box for you lol. They do both look great.
Pearl
…or…you could take a stab at it! (Calls for a DK weight yarn, though. Won’t work with a bulky weight 🙂
harmonicoscillatorknits
They look wonderful! It’s such a good pattern.
Janet
Love both your hats. The lace is lovely. They both look very cozy and warm.
Pearl
Thanks! It’s such a clever pattern…starts out by casting on 3 little stitches…:D