Something Different

Even though I could have finished The Hat That Wouldn't Die by now if I stuck with it since last weekend, I decided to switch over to this other project.

I cast on for this other hat probably four years ago, so it's been almost equally neglected, and it's on *much* more comfortable needles. It's my Hatcowl pattern again - perfect for mindless knitting and/or stripey yarn.

Speaking of yarn - this one is from Twisted Fiber Art, which as you may know did not survive the pandemic. Such a loss for so many of us. Way back when, Twisted was one of my top go-to yarn sources for designing because they offered a range of yarn weights in every colourway. This particular stripe is called Ember. I'd used a lot of other Ember skeins to do a version of Stephen West's Clockwork shawl that I stitched into an elegant asymmetrical cowl, and it seemed like a great idea to have a hat to go with it.

Wow, no grey in my hair! This pic sure takes me back ;^)

Touching this yarn again after so long, I'm reminded of how hard I used to work at designing patterns in 'new' colourways, the better to be sure they'd be available for knitters late to my pattern library. It got to be a lot of pressure, ensuring that everything I knit and shared could be easily replicated. It also got to be very crowded in my yarn stash! I'm still knitting through it, and will be for quite some time.

I worked on this hat while watching a documentary on the potato famine in Ireland, which drove quite a few of my ancestors to Canada. During the program a family portrait flashed up on the screen. The active knitting needles of older women seated amid the group were plainly visible against their dark dresses. 

The hat pretending to be an elderly woman knitting while her photograph's taken

 

I couldn't help thinking, that's knitting's roots, right there! As essential as preparing food, and necessary every day. Whether they didn't stop knitting for the photo (and lots of women then didn't even stop knitting to walk a fair distance with a basket of peat on their backs) or just wanted this task immortalized, knitting was hugely important.

Knitting. Not knitting the latest thing, with the latest yarn, but just making cloth and clothing. 

So, I'm pleased I'm able to make use of the remains of my Ember sport-weight superwash wool, and even more so to feel it in my hands as I work. It was one of my favourite, springiest yarns, even if it's no longer available to buy.

 

Even better, this hat was nearly done when I picked it up again. Look, I'm already on to the ribbing at the end!

There's a single row of eyelets before the ribbing starts, for weaving through a drawstring to pull tight at the end.

I like this way of finishing a hat. It gives some interest at the back and the weight of it makes the hat fall attractively. Fingers crossed I have enough yarn left over at the end to make the drawstring in the same colourway, yikes.

Now, if only I had a coat to go with it, instead of clashing. Because I'm not *that* ready to be done with trends.

And that's me for today. Hope you're had a great week, and that we meet again here again next Saturday!