This Rikke hat had a bumpy beginning when I was winding the skein. There were several places that looked like bleach spots and some of the plies had broken and frayed. There were also several places that looked like the yarn had been accidentally cut (maybe when a box was being opened?) It's my favorite color and not being one to waste yarn, I persevered, cut out the bleached and unraveled places, dealt with the cut strands, and ended up with lots of small balls.
I started with the largest ball and things were fine, just more ends to weave in. I made a few slight changes with this Rikke since it might be for me. I used a size 6 needle instead of a 7 so the fabric wasn't so loosey-goosey and knit it a bit longer before beginning the decreases so I could have a brim to turn up and keep my ears warm.
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| Blurry but the best I could do |
I never wear hats, so this will take a bit of getting used to. The jury is still out, but the real test may lie in the first walk I take on a really cold day.
And now it's time to get back to this!
I've just finished a couple of books, What a Fun Age and Red Lotus. They were just average for me (you can click on them in the right-hand sidebar for my thoughts.) Fever is up next and I hope many of you will be joining us. Carole's first promotional post is here if you'd like some background and compelling reasons to Read With Us. I'll be posting next Tuesday and Kym the following Tuesday before we begin discussing the book on February 4th.
What are you making and reading this week?
That's a gorgeous blue but what a pain to deal with those yarn issues! Enjoy your return to The Hitchhiker.
ReplyDeleteIt's so frustrating to come across issues in yarn. I can excuse the occasional knot or blip in dyeing, but it sounds like this skein was exceptional in its issues. I'm glad you persevered, though, because it's a lovely hat that I think will keep you very warm!
ReplyDeleteOh boo for your yarn issues - a friend was having similar problems last night with her yarn! But, I am glad you persevered - that yarn is gorgeous and the Rikke hat looks lovely on you! I think your head and ears will be so happy to have it on a cold, blustery day!
ReplyDeletethe hat looks great and you look fantastic in it. I never was a hat wearer for the longest time. The more you wear them the more you get used to how you look in them.
ReplyDeleteI've had troublesome skeins like that before . . . but I don't know I was quite so steadfast as you were with your lovely blue yarn! That is a great hat, Bonny. Like you, I'm not a real hat-wearer. Until, of course, it gets cold outside and then . . . HATS RULE! :-) Enjoy getting back to your routine with the sunset-y Hitchhiker. As for me . . . I'm slowly knitting a gray cardigan and reading Fever.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the yarn issues Bonny. So annoying and frustrating - especially when you pay good money (as opposed to bad money - lol) for the yarn. BUT...your hat turned out great and looks so good on you! I've begun to get used to wearing hats (I never used to). Welcome back to the land of Hitchhikers!!
ReplyDeleteThat blue is soooo pretty. I don't wear a hat casually but in the cold weather outside I always do now. Sorry your yarn was troublesome...I seem to get the tangled skeins! I'm knitting a shawl, the never ending poncho and reading Educated.
ReplyDeleteThat blue is stunning! You will appreciate the hat when/if a polar vortex hits you!
ReplyDeleteI think the hat is very cute on you, Bonny, seriously. I got my yarn for my Rikke, but things here have been way too chaotic to start it. If I could find a few minutes to start, then I could just knit here, there, and yonder. I am reading Fever, about halfway through. I will be joining in this time!
ReplyDeleteI love your hat! I listened to Jonathon Van Ness interview Elizabeth Warren . Before that i listened to him interview experts about the Sunni and Shia. His podcast is Getting Curious. I loved his podcast on hypochondriacs (him)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy! This sounds like a podcast I might need to listen to -- lots of interesting and educational topics!
DeleteThe hat turned out well in spite of all the blips. It is a little frustrating to encounter so many in one skein. I don't wear a hat when I go out but I do wear one when walking. I'm quite a sight when I get bundled up but I figure I give the neighbor's something to talk about. Enjoy your hat and your walk. I can get behind that mug.
ReplyDeleteYour hat is cute and if it keeps you warm, it’s done its duty! Luv the Mug!
ReplyDeleteCheers~
I never wear hats, either, and yet... so many patterns saved in Ravelry, etc. Luckily, my kids all wear them! It's a beautiful color and good for you, persevering through and salvaging what you could from whatever tragedy befell your yarn!
ReplyDeleteI became a hat person when I acquired a dog to walk. I think the blue is lovely on you and I know you'll having warm ears :-) and wow, the colors in your hitchhiker look a lot like the colors in my nightshift ... so nice for these gray days of winter!
ReplyDeleteI have a dog and he needs a walk several times a day. Hats mess with my hair and I look funny in beanie hats, BUT I wear one every time I step out the door. Cold ears are the worst thing ever. :) Your Rikke is a gorgeous color (my favorite, too). Now I want to knit a hat that color. I'll be on the lookout for a nice cobalt.
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