Rikke hat

This hat was knitted as a gift to my sister. I had a wonderful visit in Kansas last October after the Rhinebeck experience and promised her a woolly hat in dark blue. I went for a simple stylish design, all knitted in garter stitch in the round. The style is slouchy which I find appealing.  I really like the smooth transition from the brim to the main body- you just change the needle size. The pattern is free as well .

I used the yarn that was left from my Cria cardigan. I just can't resist that blue.

If I was to knit the hat again I would make the body shorter by 3-4 cm as the garter do stretch and this hat is super slouchy. I skyped my sister and she was fine with the slouchiness :)

It is now travelling over the pond, cant wait to see it on my dear little sis  :)

What's on my needles ?

All pieces finished blocking and patiently awaiting assembly.. I think I'll just manage to squeeze another cardi in 2012 :)

Orkney is done !

Here is my Orkney all finished at last. I am really taken with this one. The colours are bold and I would not have thought of putting them together but it is definitely working together and I just love , love those happy splashes of yellow . I think the designer Marrie Wallen excelled here - its my favourite design out of the Rowan 52 magazine .

I have posted about my (slow) progress here and here.

I have changed some of the colours mainly the yellow felted tweeds  to achieve a brighter colour, so used three strands of yellow kidsilk haze type I had in my stash (not rowan). I've also knitted longer the body (added about 5-6cm to the length) since It seemed to me the one on the model looked longer from what stated in the pattern. I also blocked to achieve slight waist shaping.

Here are few photos just before heading to Salisbury Xmas market today. It was bitterly cold but this cardigan felt very wintry and xmas-ey.

The shawl is Erato for those who are interested, made with a gorgeous mink yarn I received as part of the knitspot yarn club.
The beaded hat is one of Kim Hargreaves .

I feel real proud with my Orkney, it was a lot of work but definitely worth it..Happy knitting !