Vermont Hat - A Fair Isle Adventure

Pattern: Vermont Hat In Fair Isle (free pattern on Ravelry)
Yarn: Cascade 220 (lavender and white)
Needles: Size 7 & 9 circular  size 9 dp's for crown

This pattern is as easy as easy can get when it comes to Fair Isle knitting.  See my previous post for links to videos on YouTube regarding the knitting method I used.

I was able to quickly knit these hats for several reasons.  I used "Knit Picks Harmony Interchangeable Needles"  which I love because it allows me to have the correct size needle on the right and a smaller needle on the left which makes for the stitches to glide along more quickly.  Of course, it's the right needle (in the pic it is the top one) that determines the gauge.  Obviously, this only works when knitting in the round.

The designer states that you are able to knit two hats from the two skeins if you reverse the main color.  I think it may be possible to even get three when using Cascade 220 but don't hold me to that one.  I don't want you to come looking for me unless you are bringing food.
 
I modified this pattern including an additional two rows to the ribbing and one more row to one of the stripes so that they would each be two rows.  I found the hat to be a little tight for my fat head (not to be confused with egotistical...thank you very much!) so I knitted this next one using 10 1/2 needles. 

Several people asked me about the red scarf that was featured in this post.  The pattern name is "Flared Ribbed Scarf".

My good friend, Deb, also knitted this hat.  Check out her hat and blog.

I will be teaching a class on this hat starting the end of the month.  The next class will be this one which I darn well better be prepared.  It will be a test of my knitting skills and I suspect this class will be filled quickly.

Friday was a pretty stressful day.  The fire alarm was activated and a message stated we were to evacuate the building.  There was an emergency and I was prepared....

I grabbed my handbag and car keys and what else!!!!...................

 
and left the rest behind.  
 
Evacuating for me means 4 flights of stairs with my bad leg.  Because we are in a medical research building, it is not unusual for something to happen in one of the labs that sets off the alarm and is quickly resolved. 

Yesterday was a different story.  We were suddenly told to walk across campus as a suspicious package had been found in the basement and the bomb squad was on its way. 
 
I was able to get to my car and drive home and watch the development in the news.  There was talk of possibly evacuating the adjoining hospital.  In all, over 1,000 employees were evacuated. 

The packaged was removed which means I am thankful I have a job on Monday.

Happy Knitting!

The Vermont Hat

Pattern:  "The Vermont Hat" (free pattern on Ravelry)

Yarn:  Cascade 220 (lavender and white)

Needles:  Size 7 & 9 circular & size 9 dp's for crown

Fair Isle knitting never has more than two different color yarns in the same row.  Fair Isle is usually knitted in the round.  It is just easier.  If knitting a cardigan, steeking is utilized. 

This site (<--click) has a wealth of information for a Fair Isle beginner.

I will be teaching a Fair Isle, sometimes known as "Stranded Color Work", at the end of September.  This pattern is perfect for a beginner.  It's an easy pattern to knit and there are no long floats in the back.  Floats should not be any longer than 5 stitches.

I held one color in my right hand and one color in my left hand.  Here is a good video to demonstrate this approach.....    "Stranded Color Work"                         

      Here's another great reference.... "How To Catch Back Yarn In Two Color Knitting"

Using the method above gives the inside a very "neat" look.

I'm off to finish knitting my hat.  I've had a busy day.....much more later.  I also need to catch up on my blog reading.

Happy Knitting!

Fair Isle Knitting/Ilga Socks By Nancy Bush

I often like to have a mindless knitting project that I can just tote with me. I also like to have a project that is challenging and a learning opportunity.

This blogger has great instructions and links to learn Fair Isle. http://fairisleknitting.blogspot.com/ Be sure to check out this link as there is an absolute wealth of information for any type of knitting. Not sure why but I am not able to create shortcut hyperlinks in Blogger lately. Any solutions?

I was knitting Fair Isle as a teenager. I wish I still had some of those knitted projects to compare my approach.

Notice the chart above. I have a sticky note with the row I am working on just below the edge of the note. This allows me so see the row below and quickly tell if I am making an error on the row I am working on. In other words, I am looking at two rows at a time. It allows for quicker knitting.

Fair Isle has a double layer of yarn as you are carrying the various colors across the row. Intarsia involves blocks of color in a single layer.

The rule of thumb for "floats" (how many stitches to carry a color not currently knitting with) is five stitches. It is to avoid toes (or fingers, if a mitten) from catching as you slide it on your foot. When working with wool, the scales of the yarn (stitches) have a tendency to nest themselves and mildly adhere to the other color. This happens with only wool. It works out very well.

The Ilga Sock pattern is from this sock book. I love the selection of patterns. I used by 40% off coupon at JoAnn's which made it very affordable.

Happy Knitting!