I’ve been on a serious knitting spree this summer. Kind of contradictory, I know–who wants to hold five pounds of wool in their lap on a 95 degree day? Still, this summer I’ve wrapped up tons of long-overdue projects and whipped up a couple of new ones.
Currently on my needles: Ladies Classic Raglan Pullover by Jane Richmond in Cascade 220 (the color scheme is Neapolitan Ice Cream, of course), and a pair of rainbow socks in Manos del Uruguay fingering weight for my niece.
Oh yeah, this blog is about knitting too, right? Well let’s talk yarn!
I’ve had a skein of Araucania Huasco Botany Lace sitting around in my stash for at least two years. As with any great skein, I bought it because it was just so damn pretty–a beautiful kettle-dyed mix of blues and greys. Yet, being a fingering weight, I have resisted using it because I either can’t decide on a project or don’t feel like self-inflicting carpal tunnel with #1 needles that day.
Finally, after completing a ginormous sweater for Rhinebeck (that can only be described as Bjorkian) I wanted to do something small-scale with a bit of intricacies. I pulled out my Araucania, some #4’s, and cast on for a hat.
I am literally addicted to knitting with this yarn right now–which doesn’t bode very well considering it’s finals week and I’d rather make a hat and watch Sailor Moon. The texture of the yarn is squishy, never stringy, and the variegation in color is oh-so subtle. The best part: the stitch consistently is really beautiful. I’m working the honeycomb stitch in the round and the results have been really even and lovely.
This would be a seriously rad yarn for a sweater or bigger project (if you have the patience…pshhhh). I can’t even imagine these colors on a large scale! The yarn is delicate and it’s advised to be dry-cleaned, so I wouldn’t suggest socks despite how good they would feel. I think scarves, shawls, hats, and other down the middle projects would be made really special with this yarn.
Have you knit with Araucania before? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Peach Slice is a pair of squishy, stripe-y socks that are perfect for pairing with summer sandals. I made the leg slightly shorter than normal socks to give them a sportier look.
The socks are knit from the top down, which can be a bit of a confusing method if you’ve never done it before. If you’re a first-time sock knitter, I would recommend the wonderful Susan B. Anderson tutorial “How I Make My Socks.”
Tosh Merino Light is a really fun yarn with just a hint of variegation and texture. One skein is a little more than enough for a pair of socks.
For those of you unfamiliar, Pussy Riot is a Russian feminist performance artist collective/punk rock band. They’re known for performing when and wherever they want and railing against the Russian government. Two members of the group recently served 21 months in a gulag after being arrested during a performance. For lack of a better term, Pussy Riot goes hard as hell.
I created this ski mask as a tribute to these awesome women. I hope you knit one and feel powerful and badass!
MATERIALS:
· Approx. 300 yards of any worsted weight yarn
· Size #8 (5.0mm) circular needles
· Size #8 (5.0mm) double-pointed needles
· Stitch marker, measuring tape, scissors, needle
ABBREVIATIONS USED:
· k: knit
· p: purl
· k2tog: knit two stitches together
THE PATTERN:
Casting On:
Cast 72 stitches onto size #8 circular needles. I used the long-tail cast on method for a nice even edge.
Join your stitches to work in the round. Make sure your stitches aren’t twisted! Place a marker to indicate the start of the round.
Neck:
K1, P1 for 18 rounds.
The piece should measure approx. 3.5” at this point.
Head:
Following the 18 rows of ribbing, knit 1 row of purl.
Then, continue knitting in stockinette stitch for 4”. The entire piece should measure approx. 7.5” at this point.
Eye Hole:
To create the eye hole, you will briefly work back and forth before re-joining in the round to finish the crown of the head.
Row 1: First, cast off 24 stitches at the beginning of the round. Then knit to the end of the row. Now, turn the work so the wrong side is facing you.
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: Knit
Row 6: Purl
Row 7: Begin the row by casting on 24 stitches. Then finish the row knitting as normal. When you reach the end of the row, join the work and resume working in the round.
Crown:
Stockinette stitch for 12 rounds. It’s a good idea to try on the ski mask at this point and assess the fit. Depending on how the eye hole sits, you may want to add or subtract a few rounds at this point.
Begin decreases.
Row 1: {k2tog, k4} Repeat to end of round
Row 2: k
Row 3: {k2tog, k3} Repeat to end of round
Row 4: k
Row 5: {k2tog, k2} Repeat to end of round
Row 6: k
Row 7: {k2tog, k} Repeat to end of round
Row 8: k
Row 9: {k2tog} Repeat to end of round
Row 10: k
Cut yarn and weave through remaining stitches. Pull to close.
Eye Hole Band:
Pick up and knit 60 stitches around the circumference of the eye hole. Knit in stockinette stitch for three rounds. Bind off in purl.
A handmade item has incredible power to brighten and benefit someone’s life in unimaginable ways.
Below is a list (sorted alphabetically) of awesome organizations that need your knitting skills to make a difference! Please contribute to this list by adding your favorite organization in the comments section.
Afghans for Afghans // “humanitarian and educational people-to-people project that sends hand-knit and crocheted blankets and sweaters, vests, hats, mittens, and socks to the beleaguered people of Afghanistan.”
Binky Patrol // “We are an all volunteer, national, non-profit organization making and distributing homemade blankets to children born HIV+, drug-addicted, infected with AIDS or other chronic & terminal illnesses, those who are abused, in foster care or experiencing trauma of any kind. Our recipients are from 0-18.”
Chemocaps // “We are knitting and donating hand knit chemo caps to wonderful hospital oncology inpatient units and hospice programs so that cancer patients who lose their hair can have a very soft hand knit cap to call their own to comfort their heads and their souls because they will know someone cared enough to knit a cap for them.”
Hats 4 the Homeless // “If you know how to crochet or knit or would like to just donate a hat, scarf or pair of gloves…The warm gift-giving feeling that comes with giving this gift will surpass any other gift you give this Holiday season.”
Knit-a-Square // “Together we work hard to help warm and comfort the children and we’d greatly value your contribution to this knitting project for the AIDS orphans of southern Africa. We ask the world’s knitters and crocheters to send 8″/20 cm squares to South Africa, where we have them sewn into blankets for the children.”
Penguin Foundation // “Knitted penguin jumpers play an important role in saving little penguins affected by oil pollution. A patch of oil the size of a thumb nail can kill a little penguin. Oiled penguins often die from exposure and starvation. Oil separates and mats feathers, allowing water to get in which makes a penguin very cold, heavy and less able to successfully hunt for food.”
Snuggles Project // “After being given a Snuggle, a frightened and/or difficult to handle animal is able to become calm. This calming effect gives the animal and the caregiver time to learn how to handle the situation. We believe that this calming effect has saved the lives of many newly-sheltered animals.”
Wrapped in Love // “To help families in time of need during palliative care with homemade blankets and items made with love.”
Katie Fustich 