Tuesday, August 30, 2011

little blue hat

or perhaps more appropriately, little blue hurricane hat.  this was knit over the weekend while keeping
one ear on the dreadful news reports. knitting is truly therapy, with every stitch tension melts
away and a soothing rhythm develops, very much like a meditation.
i'm joining ginny's small things again for the weekly yarn along, where it's all knitting and reading and inspiration.




this is the very funny blocking tecnique for this hat. first step, wet block and then stretch the hat over and around a dinner plate. this is important so the pattern will fully show, otherwise it looks like a lump of (unattractive) knitted wool.
next, with a piece of waste yarn, make a running stitch around the brim where the ribbing meets the cableing and cinch it tight (remove after drying). this keeps the part that fits around your head from becoming too stretched out. a brilliant idea!




reading:  i've fallen behind in this series, there is already a new book out i need to get. i have to buy them, since i love them so and want to keep and reread them. again and again. (in depth love post for alexander mccall smiths books, the #1 ladies detective agency). oh! and see my new vintage blue enamel pitcher? it's danish and i think terribly cute. it does a splendid job of holding needles without toppling over.



the pattern blooming


baby sweaters wrapped up and delivered


unintentional blurred photo, (or was it?? hmmm), i thought you may like to see the front of the hat  :)



brambles beret, ravelry notes here. happy yarn along day knitters and happy wednesday everyone!
Posted by at
Labels: , , ,

47 comments:

  1. little macaroon.August 30, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    Great "plate in a beret" tip! I think there might even be the germ of some installation art project there... ;)

    And your blue jug... divine. I bet people keep their needles in so many different beautiful things. I know my mum uses a cylindrical box that once had a bottle of whisky in it. I use a japanese scroll-holder.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AngelaAugust 30, 2011 at 11:24 PM

    You are such a wool-wizard, Lori! Take a bit of wool and turn it into something not only beautiful but also useful! Your pictures are so lovely, you are your own best model!
    I am still fighting with my first baby sock! I happily knitted in rounds, even making little holes for a thread to be pulled through, but when I was almost finished and counted my stitches, one needle suddenly had more than it should! Sigh. So I must ribble it up again. Where should I meditate here? And THEN it occurred to me that the baby has even TWO feet! I wish you could look over my shoulder and encourage me, Professora! It always looks so easy with you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Andrea @ little bucklesAugust 31, 2011 at 12:00 AM

    Has anyone ever told you you suit hats? It looks great! I have a couple of his books but haven't read them yet. I think I will now as you've recommended them. x

    ReplyDelete
  4. An English ShepherdAugust 31, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    Very Blue !

    ReplyDelete
  5. pinkundineAugust 31, 2011 at 1:48 AM

    Love the pitcher, such a cute way to store needles :)

    The hat looks fab, beautiful colour and I love the cables. I always find the blocking method for that type of hat fairly amusing ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. MimAugust 31, 2011 at 3:04 AM

    That is a stunning hat! all my hats come out too big - not sure why - this is a lovely pattern and if you're sending it to NYC then it will be well used this year I'm sure.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tracey ~ CloverAugust 31, 2011 at 3:19 AM

    What a perfect project you had for your weekend knitting! It is just lovely Lori and looks so adorable on you.
    I have not read any the books you posted about so I need to pick up one. I am always looking for new series to read. I like to keep my favorite books and reread them too, it's like visiting old friends.xx
    PS- The pitcher is beautiful and I love that shade of blue.

    ReplyDelete
  8. MinaAugust 31, 2011 at 4:14 AM

    I love your picture, Lori, you are so beautiful!
    And you are really a great knitter, I love this beautiful Blue hat! And the pitcher is so , so cute!
    Wishing you all the best, to you and your daughter in NY.

    ReplyDelete
  9. EllenAugust 31, 2011 at 5:47 AM

    You look so beautiful wearing that lovely blue hat. I'm glad that your hands had something with which to keep busy when you were waiting for news. That helps. At first I thought that was a piece of fabric lining to the hat (and not the dinner plate). I agree, the bluish vase is great! And I heart McCall-Smith books.

    ReplyDelete
  10. kjAugust 31, 2011 at 6:03 AM

    OMG i thought the plate was the lining! and i LOVED it!!!

    how nice to see your smiling face ♥ now nice that your fingers know how to calm your worried mind. that is a grandmother gift too precious for words.

    i love the pitcher, my favorite color yet again. and i understand a vintage provincetown post card wss found among the treasures. oooh.

    with love
    kj

    ReplyDelete
  11. JessAugust 31, 2011 at 6:26 AM

    That is a beautiful hat!
    I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousAugust 31, 2011 at 6:29 AM

    Such a beautiful hat! And love the blocking technique too, good to know, just in case!
    Happy knitting! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Knitters NotebookAugust 31, 2011 at 6:42 AM

    Beautiful hat..and you look great in it..smile..

    ~~Renee

    ReplyDelete
  14. karenAugust 31, 2011 at 6:53 AM

    Lovely hat and you look great in it! Or it looks great on you?... Anyways, I love the plate blocking idea, it makes blocking so much easier.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnnieAugust 31, 2011 at 7:02 AM

    Lori, Always wonderful to see your beautiful face. Love the hat and your blue pitcher. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  16. Eleonora BaldwinAugust 31, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    I thought the plate was the lining too... I'm not a knitter, but you're inspiring me to. That little package with the knitted leaf is so beautiful!

    What a gorgeous model, you definitely have a hat face. You know how some folks just don't pull the hat thing? You're definietly not one of them, you're a bella syren in a brambles beret.

    Love,
    Lola xxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  17. janisAugust 31, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    oh lori ...you are just so awesome♥ love to you~

    ReplyDelete
  18. LydiaAugust 31, 2011 at 7:44 AM

    That beret is so beautiful and I love the color. I'm looking for a new winter hat and that one is inspiring. I love the blocking technique.

    I also knitted during the hurricane. It really does keep your mind off of things.

    ReplyDelete
  19. NadjaAugust 31, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    I love everything about that beret! And I love the wrapped up baby sweater...might have to do one myself, as I just had news this morning of a baby girl's birth.

    Your enamel pitcher is charming! I keep my bouquet of bamboo needles in an old, blue Ball canning jar on the windowsill...

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousAugust 31, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    Gorgeous! Both you and the hat :-). I love your new pitcher, too! I love Danish housewares. Thanks for the book recommendation and earlier review. I'll look for both the book and BBC series immediately :-)

    ReplyDelete
  21. La ChiliAugust 31, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    It's very pretty.

    I don't understand very well the blocking, I have never done it, I have to research on that.

    ReplyDelete
  22. gallerydarrowAugust 31, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    I like the way you harness stress into beautiful things. The colors and the design are soothing and gorgeous. I'm glad everything turned out okay in regards to your daughter.

    Count me in as a McCall Smith fan ✶✶✶✶✶

    Happy Wednesday, xo

    ReplyDelete
  23. KristenAugust 31, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    The hat is beautiful! You are such a fast and talented knitter. (I'm still loving those yellow baby sweaters!) Your blog is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  24. cpcableAugust 31, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    That hat is adorable! And such a yummy color! I have to say I'm also a fan of the pitcher you have your needles in. Love.

    ReplyDelete
  25. GenevieveAugust 31, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Your beret is gorgeous & the blocking technique is genius!

    ReplyDelete
  26. KatyAugust 31, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    That beret is lovely! I would never have thought to use a dinner plate - brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnnekeAugust 31, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    that hat turned out wonderfull!! it looks just great, you used the perfect color for it.

    I love the blue Danish vase too, it's a great idea to use for your knitting needles!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Amanda SummerAugust 31, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    you look fab in blue, lori - what a cute hat!

    we just missed the hurricane last friday in south carolina! happy to back home now, where it is dry as a bone.....

    ReplyDelete
  29. www.OhThePlacesWellRoll.comAugust 31, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    i love that hat. it is fabulous! everyone needs a hat like that!

    :)
    jen

    ReplyDelete
  30. meghannAugust 31, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    Oh, I love it! I am adding that to my Ravelry queue tout de suite! Yours is just lovely... xo

    ReplyDelete
  31. lilylovekinAugust 31, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    The hat is a winner. I'm glad you were able to produce something out of the week-end of worry. You make a lovely model.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Jordmor-HanneAugust 31, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    Lovely hat! Blue is one of my favorite colours and I like the pattern as well. Thanx for your commetn in my blog - have a nice day :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. ClaireAugust 31, 2011 at 11:49 PM

    That is a stunning hat! A beautiful coloured yarn, and all done in a matter of days. Fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  34. AnonymousSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    Lori, love your little blue hat - looks fabulous, have a nice time, Inge

    ReplyDelete
  35. yoboroboSeptember 1, 2011 at 5:34 AM

    Lori - I LOVE Alexander McCalls books, too (The #1 Ladies Detective Agency)!! I am behind reading them, but you reminded me to go to the library and get some more to read. I adore him and his characters! You look gorgeous in that hat. I wish I had your hair - mine is thin and wispy. :) Have a loverly day, my friend! xox Pam

    ReplyDelete
  36. RobinSeptember 1, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    Such a gorgeous blue beret! You know I am a *lilac* girl...but, *blue* has been growing on me since I *met* you and Lo...

    Your knitting projects are just infused with your joyous personality!

    Big Hugs,

    ♥ Robin ♥

    ReplyDelete
  37. KnitterMamaSeptember 1, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    The Danish really do it right, don't they? How can one little country have so much style?!! Your Irene beret looks beautiful. I pay such terrible attention to detail that I am sure that I would mess up somewhere along in the process, if not the knitting, then surely the blocking or the cinching!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Butternut SquashSeptember 1, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    Beautiful work. You are a wonder.

    ReplyDelete
  39. In the Light of the MoonSeptember 2, 2011 at 5:35 AM

    The color of your hat is "terribly cute"..I love your words and hat..heehee..So nice to see your smiling face.Hugs,Cat

    ReplyDelete
  40. tartankiwiSeptember 2, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    That is a GREAT tip for blocking berets! I will have to try that on the hat that I finished recently- Thanks!
    I love your hat, I'm slowly working up in difficulty with my knitting and think I'm going to have to try knitting cables etc soon... wish me luck!

    ReplyDelete
  41. AndriaSeptember 3, 2011 at 4:27 AM

    Oh I just love your beret! The colour is wonderful and the pattern divine. Your blue jug is so happy. I am a fan of #1 ladies detective agency too!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. SammiSeptember 3, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    I love your hat. I hope your daughter was okay x

    ReplyDelete
  43. AndreaSeptember 3, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    I just love it!

    I want to learn to knit so badly...I think this may be the year! Wish me luck.
    These photos are so pretty and inspiring...

    I've yet to send your postcard. Written and stamped but it seems to be too lazy to get to the post. Tomorrow I will force it...

    XO

    ReplyDelete
  44. Sharon LovejoySeptember 4, 2011 at 5:26 AM

    Good morning dear Lori,

    Well, you KNOW that I love the gorgeous hat and I totally understand how your working-creating fingers will ease your worried heart. It is that way for me when I tend the garden, cook, or paint. True finger therapy.

    I second KJ and love the color of the pitcher. It is a magical color as knew the Apache, Navajos etc. I use touches of that color to bring peace to my home.

    I LOVE THE MT. KATAHDIN card...thank you, thank you...and it is in a place of honor. It came JUST after Jeff and I spent an hour looking for antique cards at a nearby co-op. We LOVE old postcards. The five we chose yesterday we framed in a long frame with five postcard size openings in the matting. It was a wedding gift for a young friend who has spent every summer of her life in Maine.

    Sending a hug and thanks and no, we don't return until sometime in October. HURRAH! Your card just arrived because it was (luckily) forwarded on to me.

    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  45. AlittlebitsheepishSeptember 5, 2011 at 1:48 AM

    Totally gorgeous hat and a great way to block it

    ReplyDelete
  46. marianneSeptember 8, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    The hat is like a beautiful blue mandala!!!!!
    It looks good on you!

    ReplyDelete
  47. xxxSeptember 11, 2011 at 3:02 AM

    u r beautiful x

    ReplyDelete

xoxo lori

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)