Friday, March 13, 2009

Hot Heads

A short while ago, my daughter announced that she needed a new winter hat . . . a big, stretchy one preferably. She's growing her hair out into dreds. (Does one 'grow' their hair 'into' dreds? Forgive me, for I am out of it. Way out of it.) Anyway, the hats she has been wearing are becoming a bit snug and uncomfortable with her new hair style. She tried on a hat I had knit for myself a couple of years ago and requested one just like it, but in a different color.




I guess waking at 4 in the morning and not being able to fall back asleep has its advantages . . . I got up, stoked the fire, made my morning latte, sat down and finished her hat.





I've included this picture of my hat because I think you may be able to see the pattern better in the light color. It was an enjoyable pattern to knit. Once I got past the second cable twist, I didn't have to keep my eyes glued to the instructions; I could tell where I was by just looking at my work.



If any of you are interested, the pattern is in Charlene Schurch's book, 'Hats On!'



8 comments:

fiona@fionacampbell.ca said...

Very nice! Just curious... how long did this take you, start to finish?

Melissa said...

Just beautiful. I am envious of your daughter having a Mom who is so talented. I'd love a hat like that!

Mama Pea said...

Hi, Fiona - NO IDEA! No, seriously, I can be a titch more helpful than that. Trouble is I did it a half hour here, six rows there. Not a lot of sustained knitting! If you unfold the ribbed 'cuff', it's just about as long as the cable (upper) part of the hat. I did exactly half the ribbed part on a 2 hour car ride. (So 4 hours for the ribbing?) 'Course, that knit one/purl one ribbing would go a little faster than the cable pattern but that might give you some idea. Wish I could be more specific.

Mama Pea said...

Hey, Melissa! Thank you for the kind words. It really truly-duly doesn't take a lot of talent! I think learning how to hold an even tension and knowing how to count are the main ingredients to being a good knitter. But thank you!

MaineCelt said...

While I really don't get the "dreads" thing, but I respect that folks have their reasons... it reminds me of my sainted grandmother who once asked a certain six-year-old what kind of hat she'd like Grandma to knit. The kid asked for something in hot pink, white and black with pom-poms and bug antennae...and Grandma somehow made exactly that!
I still have the hat, somewhere.

And I think that green hat is beautiful, by the way. What a good mama!

Mama Pea said...

MaineCelt - It's 'dreads' and not 'dreds'? See how much I know? I really, really, really am out of it!

What I want to know, Missy, is why you aren't still wearing that darling little hat your Grandmother spent so many hours lovingly creating for you? Huh? HUH?

RuthieJ said...

I recognized that hat pattern even before you told us the book it was in! Both of those hats are lovely.

Mama Pea said...

Hi, Ruthie - I'm betting you could knit about 95% of the hats from that book with your eyes closed!

Thanks for the compliment. Hope Chicken Mama likes her hat when she gets home.