Baa-ble hat

M y Baa-ble hat is finished! Well I've actually finished it a couple of weeks ago, and I've been wearing it non-stop ever since. I just hadn't had find the time to photograph it properly.

It took me two attempts to get the hat to fit me perfectly. The very first time, I used the same needles as in the pattern. But the after-blocking hat was a disaster. My already-massive head was floating in my damp hat. And I had to admit that it didn't fit me, and had to start over. So I ripped it back, and knit with a much smaller needle for the brim and for the body. Three evenings later the hat was knit, and the pompom fixed.

I must say that I'm not usually drawn to these type of hats as I thought that they would never fit me. But after trying my finished hat, I really like it! I love the double folded brim that keeps my ears and forehead very warm. It wil definitely be staple in my wardrobe, and I will most definitely be wearing it a whole lot this winter.

The yarn was a dream to knit with. That was my very first time knitting with Jamieson's of Shetland Heather, but definitely not my last. The yarn is rustic and crunchy, but surprisingly soft for a 100% Shetland wool. And did I mention that it comes in the most beautiful colors? Head over to the Jamieson's website to discover their incredible range of colors!

The end of October wraps up the Shetland Wool Week KAL. It was wonderful to spend another month with fellow knitters, dreaming about Shetland, knitting a pattern inspired by the Shetland isles & knitting with Shetland yarn. I will draw the winners of the knit along later this week, and announce the winners in the Ravelry thread.

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Pattern — Baa-ble hat by Donna Smith

Needles — US3 & US6

Yarn — Jamieson's Heather Aran

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Thanks again to Jamieson's of Shetland and the 60° North magazine for sponsoring the knit along!

I never thought that I would be so slow at knitting fair isle. This hat is taking me forever! But seeing these little stitches combined together, makes the work so much worth it. I love how the dark tones empashis the bright ones, and the color variation within one colorway is stunning. There's still a lot of work until my hat will be completed, but I'm taking it slowly, enjoying a few rows here and there, a cup of tea next to me, contemplating the autumn through my window.

Shetland Wool Week Shwook Hat Knit Along.

So the Shetland Wool Week has officially started, and I couldn't be more thrilled about it! If you're among the lucky ones that are attending the wooly event it means that you're already having the time of your life. But for the rest of us, it means that the long time-waiting Shwook KAL is starting!

It's been so fun & inspiring to see the different colors and fibers that the participants have decided to put together. Hege's color palette might be my favourite combo so far, her colors blend together so well. Fran has decided to handspun her own yarn to make her Shwook. How exciting that is! And Leigh is cruising. Her hat looks fantastic already. She came along with a lining technique to prevent the "itchy" factor on the brim. That's so smart! She explains the process on her blog very well.

If you want to join the challenge, there is still plenty of time to come on board! You can also follow on Instagram the several works in progress with the hashtag #SWWKALshwook.

Happy Shetland Wool Week!

A Shetland Wool Week Knit Along & a Jamieson&Smith giveaway

I just wanted to give you a quick update and inform you that a Ravelry group has been created for the Shetland Wool Week Knit Along. You can join in if you want to participate.

The Knit Along will be sponsored by Jamieson&Smith. Three winners will be drawn at the end of the challenge, and will be receiving 5x25g balls of 2ply Jumper Weight in the colors of their choice.

Wishing you a lovely Sunday!

A week of wool

Lately I decided to reorganise my stash and separate the yarn that I stricktly use for the shop to the one I use for my personnal projects. I don't own much, but I love to see these little skeins together. Whenever I stop by, I try not too look at them for too long, or cuddle them. Crazy, right? How can tiny colorful balls of wool can bring so much hapinesss and warmth into someone's heart?

As I mentionned in a previous post, Lori got me inspired by her Shetland trip that she's taking along with Nicole (these ladies are so amazing. They both contributed to Madder's Anthology I ( I had to grab a copy, but that's another story)). They both knit garments to bring with them on the Scottish Island, and one of these pattern is the Shwook hat. I've never tried colorwork before. I guess I've always been quite initimidated, and didn't feel confident enough to knit with several colors. For some reason, I find it very hard to combine colors together and create a palette that will showcase the pattern beautifully.

The five skeins in the middle are the ones that I'll be using to make the hat during the Shetland wool week in October. Even though I'm not attending the event, I thought it could be so much fun to take part in the festivities, and celebrate a week of wool.