Coronet
Published December 21, 2006 by CabledSheep
coronet
Originally uploaded by Hither-n-Yarn.
Introducing “Coronet”, from Knitty. I used Cascade Pastaza, less than one skein. Instead of making a “foldover” brim, I just knitted the cable band, then picked up the stitches and knit straight up for the rest of the cap, following the remainder of the instructions for the decreases. Since this is a bulkier yarn than listed for the pattern, I only needed to do 14 repeats of the cable instead of the pattern’s specified 16 repeats for the smallest size. I picked up 78 stitches around (approximately 2 stitches for 3 rows, but making a multiple of 6). It was an easy knit, and I love the hat! I might even make just the cabled band part again some time, and just use it as a headband/ear warmer.
A special thanks goes to Allison, who was so kind and helpful in giving me information about the Coronet she made.
This was an interesting experience for me on different levels. To start with, it’s the first hat I’ve ever knit. Although I like hats, I almost never wear them. But not because I don’t want to. Putting on a hat usually means that I have to keep it on, for as long as I’m in public. Although my hair is curly, it’s unusual in being very thin and fine. Wearing a hat flattens it out, but doesn’t straighten it, so it just ends up looking incredibly strange. Add that to the static electricity that hats tend to produce, and I’d probably frighten small children by taking off my hat. But if I pull my hair into a ponytail, it’s pretty flat anyway, and it doesn’t matter so much.
The other thing that was so interesting about knitting the hat was my reaction to the yarn. It’s wool and llama, and definitely a bit “scratchier” than I would normally like. I’m pretty sensitive to wool other than cashmere, merino, or alpaca. But a funny thing happened. While I was knitting with the yarn, and feeling the scratchiness of the wool, it occurred to me that I really didn’t mind it. And in fact, I appreciated it. It made me think of the sheep and llamas who provided the wool for the yarn. And the roughness on my fingers, though slightly irritating, was also pleasant in an odd sort of way. Kind of like how I feel after I’ve done a lot of physical labor. Even though my body feels tired and sore, there’s still some pleasure and satisfaction in it. Instead of just seeing the yarn as a finished product, or as the the means to an end, I was really appreciating it for itself, and what it took to make it.
Filed under Finished Objects, Random Thoughts, Knitting
Cabled Sheep lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she enjoys knitting and munching veggies out of the garden.
That hat looks spectacular on you, Cheryl.
The hat looks great! I think you just summed up how I also feel about the less-loved scratchy/itchy yarns.
Yes, the yarn for itself. Sometimes we get so into “using” something as a means to an end, that we forget to value and appreciate the something for itself.
And you definitely CAN wear hats. Great one, love the color. I have the same kind of wild hair problem, but you know what? It’s how I was made and who I am, so I have come to peace with the wildness. Besides, I truly feel sorry for the hairspray crowd…who has energy for that?!?!
Blue skies,
Lark
DId it soften with a washing? That type of wool ususally does. You look darling in the hat!
Have a wonderful Holiday weekend!
It looks great! And you will be surprised. I love my Coronet and wear it all the time. It’s cute enough to keep on my head all day.