I'd wanted to try my hand at colorwork for a while, so I thank Andrea, MJ, and Mary-Heather and their fabulous KAL, Stranded: The Colorwork Challenge, for providing me with the perfect opportunity to give it a go. Thanks, ladies! Though I was excited, I've learned that my enthusiasm alone can take me only so far, so I figured I would start small. Hence, a hat. For said hat, I decided to try a "Traditional" Hat Kit from Bea Ellis Knitwear, using Dale of Norway Heilo in 0017 (white) and 0083 (dark charcoal). Here's a question: What was I afraid of? This colorworking thing is too much fun! 
Furthermore, I would highly recommend this hat project to anyone thinking about trying colorwork for the first time. This pattern was simple enough for a newbie like me to follow (and I would assume that any of Bea Ellis' hat kits would be similarly as user-friendly), and the piece is small enough, so it isn't daunting.
My floats were a bit uneven because my tension was off in places, but I think overall I kept things under control rather well for my first go 'round. Hallelujah for blocking! A modification: I knit the hat "shorter" than the pattern called for, because I wasn't feeling how "tall" it would have been otherwise. I also haven't added any finishing touches to the tippy top yet. I kind of like it without a flourish of any kind, although I'm contemplating adding a pom pom, because...well, those are fun. What do you think?
So now that I have my first colorwork project under my belt, I have a major problem. What should my second colorwork project be??PS: Lolly, how is your hat coming along?
18 comments:
i think its really cute like that. you can't be all gangsta with a pom-pom. just saying.
its great! more colourwork! more!
Well done -- it looks wonderful!!
I LOVE that hat! Great job!
The hat looks wonderful. Next project: those new mittens by Eunny with the wind swirls on them. I want to watch someone do them while I try to justify buying the pattern.
And, about the post about your age (I tried to comment but couldn't get the page to come up), I'm appalled. How is it that you can be six years older than I am, and you close-up looks a whole lot better than mine. Is it you or is it Mabeline (spelling??) - or is it Photoshop?
Great Hat! I want to try colorwork soon but I'm still a bit intimidated by it. I vote "no" to the pom-pom just because it would take away from your beautiful knititng.
I love it! Nice job! I'm working on Eunny's endpaper mitts for my first colorwork. I also like Eunny's Anemoi mittens as well.
Yay Colorwork Hat!!! You did an amazing job. I can't wait to see it in person! Huh, I guess it's good I get to see it tonight ;-)
Good job on the hat!!! I kind of like it without the pompom. If you're looking for another quickish colorwork project....the Endpaper mitts are really fun and easy!!!
Well, it looks really great. I'm not sure how much you'll get to wear it in LA, but who cares, it's a beautiful piece. :)
OOh. Ahhh. Your hat looks great. Black is white is a great FI combo - must remember :) And aren't those Bea Ellis kits the best? I learned that way too. I like how you made it shorter. As to flair - perhaps a nest of short twisty I cords or a pair of tassels on each end of the top?
Great job! I like how you made it shorter to fit your head. It looks great on you : )
Fabulous! It looks so cute on you. It's a perfect fit with all your mods. Love how you are a colorwork convert now. It is quite addicting.
Pompom!!! That is really beautiful!! Great job.
It's wonderful! And to think only a year ago you were learning to make a sock. Fabulous knitting! I am always a fan of the pompom, and end up putting one on every hat I make in one form or another, so of course I vote for pompomage. xox, J
I vote for a tassel. You can never have too many tassels. And great job on the hat! Reminds me that I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow . . . right after you, I think! I was looking for a new stylist and Dis recommended yours. Maybe I'll see you there!
I have been seeing Bea Ellis hats everywhere and they are weaking my resolve that I will not knit fair isle. I love how yours came out! Very classic and wintry.
It looks great!
Post a Comment