Monday, November 30, 2015

Another New Hat!

"Smocked" Hat


I knitted myself another new hat on Sunday, with more yarn from the stash.  The actual color is a little more pink than it appears in the picture, more salmon pink than apricot.

The pattern is called "smocking" in my knitting book of patterns, since it resembles a type of sewing called smocking:

Close Up
It gives a highly embossed look and quite stretchy.  I made it a tiny bit smaller than the other hat (2 stitches less), because it is so stretchy.

I now have a total of 4 hats:

- the black fabric one that was a gift from my niece (along with the scarf)
- a black knitted one that I bought from the dollar store
- the black and grey one I knitted earlier
- and this peach smocked one

I think I have enough hats for my immediate needs.  I might make one or two more, later on, after I see how I like the feel of these hats against my scalp.  

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In addition to knitting myself a new hat, I went grocery shopping on Sunday afternoon, watered the front garden, visited a friend (and gave the birthday quilt to her daughter), and did a load of laundry.  It was a fairly relaxed, yet productive day. 

On Sunday, I was grateful for:

- A new hat
- My yarn stash
- Having learned to knit
- Visits with friends
- Washing machines

How was your Sunday?  

5 comments:

  1. I love this hat too! You ate inspiring me to want to learn to make hats. I have a stash of yarn to use up and if I make several hats I could always donate them to the nursing home or to a cancer treatment center.
    I smiled at your list today- I am grateful for my washing machine too! When we first moved I spent 4 months going to the laundromat twice a week. It wasn't so bad but there were many times the kids didn't want to have to go and it seemed like a little bit of a hassle. I don't think there has been one time that I have done laundry since we moved into our new home that I take the washing machine and dryer for granted. :)

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    1. Dawn, the beanie-type hats that I've made are quite easy. You basically make a wide rectangle, on straight knitting needles (I suppose one could use a small circular needle, too, but I prefer to knit on straight needles). Then, once the height of the rectangle gets to be around 8 inches, you start decreasing, basically by knitting 2 stitches together, straight across, a couple of times. Most of the instructions for similar hats also call for a pompom to be added at the end; but I've decided to forego the pompom. There are lots of hat patterns, and I'm sure instructional videos, too, out there, if you need them. I think it's a lovely idea to make some to donate to the nursing home or a cancer treatment center. In fact, I am thinking of making a few extra to leave at my treatment center for anyone who might like to have one.

      Ah, yes, washing machines are kind of helpful, aren't they? There have been times when I've done all my laundry by hand, either because I couldn't afford to use a washing machine (when I first came to this country) or because I didn't have a washing machine and didn't want to go to a laundromat (when I first bought my house; didn't get the washing machine until 6 months later). I know of some people who complain about having to do several loads of laundry a week; I love the fact that I can turn a couple of dials and toss in a scoop of detergent and the clothes and the machine does all the work for me! :)

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  2. Very nice. I've always wanted to learn how to knit, I've looked at books on it, but never got around to trying.

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    Replies
    1. Jess, there are lots of instructional videos on-line that teach how to knit. It's easier to learn when someone is showing you. I wish we lived closer - I could have taught you!

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  3. love this hat... The smock look is gorgeous..
    You had a really great productive Sunday.
    I have been doing some Christmas decorating, Making some curtains [from stash], for the other house, when we move.. So busy /busy.. But, thankful to be able to do things.. I too, agree with you two. So proud of my washer and dryer, I remember when we were first married, we could not afford to go to laundry mat but once in the 2 week pay period. I had to wash daughters diapers by hand and hang to dry. Also, our own clothes during the week. Have never forgotten how happy I was , when we bought a used washing machine.. ha
    Have a great day.

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