Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Red and white and warm all over

Somehow, in between the cooking and the houseguests and the visiting of many Portlandy institutions* and the lots and lots of sleeping, I whacked these out over the long weekend and I looooooorve them.


(4 FOs in a week? Who is this knitter inhabiting my body, and can she stick around for the next, oh, 27 days?)

Ze Hat:
Pattern: Koolhaas, by Jared Flood, in IK Holiday Gifts 2007
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk Aran, color #11, 2 balls
Needles: US6 and 8 metal dpns
Mods: I followed the directions for the Women's size, but only did 7 rounds of ribbing, and omitted round 7 of the crown shaping, both because of yardage fears and the lofty, almost bulky weight of this yarn though which made my gauge a bit bigger than the pattern gauge. It worked out just fine: the hat fits perfectly and I had less than a yard of yarn leftover.


This yarn is fuzzy, and so the traveling twisted stitches aren't as crisp in this hat as in most other versions I've seen, but the thickness of it means they still stand out well -- the little recessed diamonds are extra deep and shadowy. Plus, you can't beat this stuff for softness. (cough It's on closeout at WEBS cough)

Ze Meeetens:
Pattern:
Herringbone Mittens (pdf), by Elli Stubenrauch (elliphantom.com)
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Hollyberry, 1 skein
and Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted in Aran, less than 1/2 a skein.
Needles: US 4 and 6 bamboo dpns
Mods: None, except omitting the poms.


This pattern is awesome. Simple, well written, easy to memorize, and way, way cute. I see more mittens in my future. I found the yardage to be very generous -- I got away with half of what the pattern calls for. YMMV, though, because my colorwork tends to be extra tight. And for reference? The Hollyberry is almost exactly the same shade as the Alpaca Silk.


Also a nice complement to a Rhode Island Red, if you've got one around.




*Powell's, Armory Theater, Japanese Garden, Nicholas' Lebanese Restaurant, KnitPurl, The Lightbulb Lady, Amnesia Brewing, The Meadow, The Spare Room, Montage, Tin Shed. All highly recommended.

26 comments:

Neuroknitter said...

What great photos!!! The hat and mitts are lovely. And isn't the weather behaving well for wearing them?! The rooster picture is perfection!!!

a friend to knit with said...

i am in love with those mittens!!!after Christmas, i have to make myself a pair!
love your hat, and the photos are great!

femiknitter said...

How funny--those are the exact same colors I am planning on using for my own set of herringbone mitts and koolhaas hat (different yarns, though)! Seriously, I was just planning it out during my car ride home. Yours looks so wonderful!

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

Your hat/mitten combo are fantastic and go together so well without being matchy-matchy, lovely!!

Anonymous said...

I could have sworn those reds were the same yarn when I saw this on flickr... they match perfectly. Both FO's are so nice, you are churning out some seriously lovely stuff!

Anonymous said...

I love the matching hat and mitts! Great photos, too!

Stacey said...

those are both adorable! what a great new cozy set!

Macoco said...

That is a really great set. I love those mittens. I may see some of those in my future. ;)

Courtney said...

Gorgeous mitts and hat! It was such a wonderful, productive knitting holiday!

Kristy said...

Love them! I thought it was the same yarn for the hat and mittens when I saw the picture-- it's a great match.

I've been wanting to knit both of these projects ever since they came out :)

jennie said...

lovely, lovely! send some of that mojo my way.

I started the herringbone mittens twice, but they were huge both times, even when I went down a needle size. sigh. yours make me want to try again!

Anonymous said...

Could you and these finished knits be any cuter? I think not.

Anonymous said...

I can't believe how very, very beautiful your hat- and mitten-set is - both look so fantastic and I also love the photos you took of them - very artful indeed! Congratulations!

Courtney said...

Oh Stella, why must you tempt me with links to incredible sale yarn?
That DB Pure Cashmere in purply/periwinkle is torture to resist...but I must, I must!

Anonymous said...

Beautifully done! You've really been whipping them out!

kelp! said...

I heart your matching handknits, Especially those herringbone mitts! I was just thinking how I need to start coordinating my handknits - everything winds up being a different crazy color!

Dr. B. said...

OH! You are the BEST! I've been wanting to make that hat, and I haven't gotten it together to figure out what yarn -- and then you make it, it looks AWESOME, and you link to the SALE YARN! Holy crap. Seriously. Good one. Thanks!!

Anonymous said...

Love the hat!! Also the mittens!

Alison said...

Love that hat! And love your chicken! I hope to have some around here this time next year...
Anyhoo, the hat and mits are lovely, I wonder if I can get some made while it's still cold. I am in Minnesota, so I should have plenty of time... but procrastination is my middle name...

Happy knitting-
ali

merpez lamor said...

Yay to pictures of amazing knitted items, chickens and katie! Hope all is well!

Prachi said...

I love the hat and the mittens! They make a lovely pair, and you look warm!

Anonymous said...

Wow, the hat and mittens came out beautifully! I forget how useful mittens are during winter (why I forget this is beyond me, I've lived in the freezing northern states for 10 years!). Lovely lovely.

Rebecca said...

I'm so excited to see the Woolhaus knit up in this color since I am getting ready to knit it for my daughter. I love it! And, thanks for giving me another idea to gift along with it - the Herrigbone mitts!

Anonymous said...

These are two awesome FO's, and I love how they match perfectly!!

Anonymous said...

verrrrrryyyyy cool ::laughing:: I can't remember how I found your blog, but glad I did :)

Elizabeth said...

Pretty, pretty, pretty! I love that Koolhaas pattern - how I'd love to knit one for myself. Trouble is, I just don't really need warm hats in TX. Sigh.

I love Amnesia brewing too - and Knit/Purl! In fact, I just love Portland - my favorite city in America, hands down.