Fiber Arts Friday: Donegal Hat

With my single hank of Donegal Wool I want to make something that will show off the beauty of the yarn.

I thought quite a lot about the Palindrome Scarf.  A simple pattern with broad sections of knits and pearls... essentially a reversible stockinette scarf.... I do think that scarves should always be reversible.... or a least the reverse should not look like the back or the inside.  ;-)

Since the scarf is supposed to be long... and I like long scarves, I also thought this would be a good choice since I only have the one hank.  I could knit until the scarf is so long that I trip over it, or until I ran out of yarn... which ever came first.  ;-)

But...

The yarn is really too scratchy to use as a scarf... so after many needle sizes and much deliberation, I am now working on a gently-cabled hat.

I really like how the little slubs of color are popping out, but not taking over.... which, I think, is the beauty of Donegal Tweed.

But...

I'm thinking that the yarn will still be too scratchy on the forehead for a hat.

One of my comadres suggested a Qiviut liner, which would be luxurious.  Another had suggested a vest, but I haven't found any patterns I'm crazy about.  I am also having the thought about (finally?) setting up my loom and using it in a weaving of some sort.

I have only about 350 yards.  So, do any of you awesome, Fiberistas have a wonderfully, simple-looking pattern that I may be missing?

Thanks and Happy Fiber Arts Friday.

Fiber Arts Friday: The Fiber Fool and Nourishing Knits

I met Kristi Schueler a few years ago on Twitter.  Hubba and I were living in New Mexico and planning our return to Colorado.

Kristi was a knitwear designer based in Colorado.  I was smitten.  :-)

After Hubba and I got settled in our Colorado home, Kristi and I realized we were almost neighbors.  We met a couple of times.  She helped me overcome my fear of cables.  I was still smitten.  :-)

She invited me to join her knitting group.  I was intimidated.

I came a few times when my travel schedule allowed.  I was at ease.

Kristi wrote a book.  I want to tell you about it.

As a matter of fact, a few of us will be talking about it.  Today is the first post in a blog tour highlighting Nourishing Knits.  Kristi will be announcing a couple of giveaways over on her blog today, so you will definitely want to check that out.

Nourishing Knits is jam packed with delicious recipes and beautiful knit designs.  I have had the pleasure of being on the receiving end of some of these test recipes and the name for one of the patterns came from a suggestion I made.  :-)

The Alpaca Dog has been a taste tester as well.  One night, he knew there was something in my bag for him as soon as I walked thru the door... He devoured it and begged for more.  This dog doesn't generally care for treats, so let me tell you...  If you get this book for nothing else, get it for the Bow Wow Biscotti.  Your best friend will thank you.  :-)

It's pretty easy to write about something that's fantastic.  The trouble is finding the one piece I wanted to focus on.  I have 5 or 6 of these designs in my queue.  Not just the favorites.  They're in my queue.  That means I will make them.  It's only a matter of time.

The one I've been thinking most about knitting next are the Challah socks.

I am a new (and excited) sock knitter... and Kristi helped me overcome my fear of cables... and the socks in the book are made from alpaca.  So really, I do think this is the perfect choice.  :-)

I have selected a charcoal/green Malabrigo to knit this pattern.  I hear Malabrigo is lovely to work with, and now that I've wound the skeins into cakes, I'm getting excited. :-)

I'm about half-way into the first cable repeat for the first sock.  I am trying to follow only the charts, but I am cheating a little and looking at the written out instructions every now and then.  Since I don't have a lot of experience with charts, I want to make sure I'm reading the marks correctly.

I do have to say that I like following the chart in the round... it means I'm always reading it from right to left.  :-D

And I love seeing the roots of cables forming...

I am enjoying these socks so far and am looking forward to some dedicated sock knitting this weekend.  :-)

If you don't already know Kristi, follow her.  You'll learn something.  You'll be inspired.  You'll have good food too.  :-)

The Fiber Fool on Twitter
The Fiber Fool Blog
Designedly, Kristi on Facebook
Designedly, Kristi on Ravelry

And of course, be sure get your copy of Nourishing Knits soon!

Photos courtesy of Kristi Schueler

Then once your finished checking out all of the Nourishing Knits goodness, please also check out the other fiberistas who have linked in for Fiber Arts Friday.