If I summarized knitting in 2017 in a single word it could be 'sparse'.
But you know me, I'll use more words than one ;)
The Only Project: Toque for a First Canadian Christmas:
This year, or more accurately, the second half of this year, was my best friend's first
experience living in Canada. That includes Winter and Christmas.
So I thought, what is more Canadian than a toque as a gift?
So it wasn't a red and white toque, but it does have snowflakes,
and it was made during the 150th anniversary of Canada as a country.
And you could knit one in whatever colours you like, since the instructions are at the end of the post. (Tell me about it on Ravelry here)
Connections:
One of the best things knitting ever introduced me to was a warm circle of Northern Irish Ladies. Since meeting these fabulous ladies, I've knit in relative solitude,
until this year, when I finally had a knitting get together with a
Canadian who not only loves knitting and all things yarn, but she spins, too!
Which takes me to...
Yarn:
Look what I got for Christmas!
A hand spun, springy, single ply ball of variegated greens and browns.
It's almost like gardening in wool!
The question now is what to make with it. Something small, or add it as an accent?
Either way it is so beautiful and I am as pleased as punch to have received
such a special fibre product.
Is it a coincidence my new knitting friend is an Irish Canadian? I think not.
Toque Instructions:
Needles: 3.25mm, circular of head circumference, plus DPNs.
(If knitting lower portion flat, straight needles if you prefer, as well.)
Wool: Three contrasting yarns in worsted or aran,
for main (purple), background (white), and snowflake (blue).
Note: The lower portion of the toque, from the band to the top of the snowflake motif,
can be knit either in the round, or flat, and instructions include both methods.
I knit mine flat. If choosing to knit flat, follow *instructions*.
Toque:
Cast on 110st, *112*st and join to knit in the round, *or don't*.
Using main colour (purple) in 2x2 ribbing [K2, P2], make band until work measures 1 1/4".
Knit one round/row in main colour (purple).
Knit one round/row alternating 1x1 main (purple) and background (white) colours.
Knit two rounds/rows in background colour (white).
Knit chart lines 2 though 20.
Blank boxes are background colour (white), and X boxes are snowflake colour (blue),
repeating your pattern five times so you have five snowflakes around your toque,
*making your first and last stitches of each row in the background colour (white) for selvedge*.
*Join now to knit in the round.*
Knit two rounds in background colour (white).
Knit one round alternating 1x1 main (purple) and background (white) colours.
Knit one round in main colour (purple).
'Falling snowflakes' are made by repeating these four rounds:
R1: K1 background colour (white), K9 main colour (purple).
R2: K main colour (purple).
R3: K5 main colour (purple), [K1 background colour (white), K9 main colour (purple)], K1 background colour (white), K4 main colour (purple).
R4: K main colour (purple).
To decrease: After each background colour (white) st, K2T, which decreases
the number of main colour (purple) sts between flakes by one on each decrease round.
Either remember this number or place 'flakes' above 'flakes' on four rounds below.
Knit the four 'Falling snowflakes' rounds plain, once.
Knit the four rounds, using the decrease, twice. (66 sts)
Next two rounds: K2T
Pull tail through stitch loops twice to secure.
Make and attach a pompom.
*Sew seam*
Finish ends.
Block if desired, or steam with your warm head!
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