There is nothing more exciting than making an item of clothing that you actually wear…and actually like…and is actually useful. The kind of thing that half way through the day you think to yourself, ‘Well I’m glad I’m wearing that: hat/scarf/mittens…I think I might make another.
February is always my month for making accessories. We are post the Christmas rush and the marmalade weekends of January (see previous post). Now is the time to prepare and make cosy outdoorsy items for bracing walks and mountain views.
Since our little/towering boy was a baby, we have enjoyed a February visit to the lake district. If you have read this blog for a while you might recall February breaks and the hat making that feature in my holiday endeavours.
This year I might have cracked the holiday packing. I have a dream of being a minimal capsule wardrobe-ist. It is an absolute flight of fancy. But this holiday…I think I have succeeded. A base of wick-away dour black and then red…red…burgundy and red accessories. The suitcase was only half full. Hurrah!
Planning ahead I finished my last (I promise) Sophie Scarf from Petit Knit. This scarf has my highest accolade of being a ‘boon’. I adore the garter stitch, I adore the I-cord edging. I am also particularly fond of the red tweed yarn. It is Sirdar Haworth Tweed in West Riding Red. Tweed can feel a little bit itchy, but not this yarn. It is 50% wool and 50% nylon and is very soft and so suitable to wear round the neck. The flecked nature of the twist gives the knitting a lively kick. I know this scarf will be a favourite well into the Spring. It will go well with denim and navy. It is also a brilliant scarf for walking. Small enough tie tightly around your neck and none of the long ends which can be so annoying.
I have almost completely abandoned hat making for loved ones and friends. (Sulking pout). Whilst it is an expression of love on my part…thrusting enthusiastically made hats on friends can be received with an awkward…’Oh thanks’.
However as an absolute knitted swan song, I found the glorious Weekend Hue hat, again by Petit Knit. This pattern has a very ‘now’ shape. When I saw it I knew immediately that I wanted to make it for my fashion maven friend. She always has her finger on the style pulse and is particularly rocking saturated cobalt blue. I loved making this ribbed pattern. There is a generous double folded rib cuff brim. As I hoped she was utterly delighted by her gift and popped it on making it look cool, instantly. Both of us, very happy.
Back to the holiday hat, I chose to bring my Shetland Fair isle Katie’s Kep by Wilma Malcolmson. The pattern was the featured hat for the 2020 Shetland Wool Week. I’m a big fan of fair isle. I find the complications of working the yarn, a relaxing concentration. Working the pattern in pure wool also has lots of advantages. The fibres stick nicely together making it easier to knit. Plus the natural characteristics of the yarn make it almost waterproof.
Out and about and caught in a light drizzle, the hat is fine and less restrictive than a hood. I love pattern. You will have to take my word for it that the crown has stunning star design. It does. But for outdoor fun, my February hat just has to have a bobble…and what a bobble! I think the phrase – ‘a right bobby-dazzler’ is appropriate. If you want to jazz up any hat I would highly recommend a Toft Alpaca bobble. No need for a mountain flare…you can will be spotted miles away.
So I wonder if you are enjoying making hats, scarves and mittens at the moment. When the daffodils appear I think our minds turn to more spring-like pursuits. But for now the bobble hat reins supreme in the rain and the shine.