Ruche!

Hi Knitters,

I started this hat as a treat for myself a couple of days ago. Yesterday I really had some time to nail it down. I LOVE it! The yarn is the most decadent, gorgeous, soft, lofty treat ever. It is Blue Sky Alpacas Royal which is a 100% luxury alpaca. It is like nothing else I have ever tried. Delicious. It is light as air and the drape is dreamy. I want to knit a lot more with this yarn.

The hat fits so nicely. It's comfortable, covers my ears, clings where it should and looks fantastic! I am thrilled with the way this turned out. The stitch pattern involves increasing and decreasing to get the rippled effect. It is simple but interesting, too, which is the best for this busy time of year. It makes for perfect knitting by the fire. There is nothing more difficult than a kfb (knit in the front and back of the same stitch), and a k2tog (knit two stitches together). Easy, peasy.
I am calling this new pattern, which is available for purchase in my pattern shop, Ruche. Here is the dictionary definition of ruche:

ruche (rōōsh)
n. A ruffle or pleat of lace, muslin, or other fine fabric used for trimming women's garments.

[French, from Old French rusche, beehive, from Medieval Latinrūsca, bark of a tree (used for making beehives), of Celtic origin.]
ruched (rōōsht) adj.

Perfect, right? Beehive, bark of a tree, pleated, ruffled, they all fit the bill. Viva La Roooosh!
The Collector took the photos this morning. Not bad for a 10-year-old.
Here is some information you might like to know:

Size: To fit an average size woman or large child with a head circumference of 20-22 inches.

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Royal (100% luxury alpaca; 288 yards/100 grams), 1 skein in Vermillion #711

Needles:

US size 3, 16-inch circular and 24-inch circular needles OR size to obtain gauge

US size 3, double-pointed needles set of 4 OR size to obtain gauge

Materials:

Ruler or tape measure

Stitch marker

Scissors

Yarn needle

Gauge:

6 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

Abbreviations:

k knit

p purl

k2tog knit two stitches together

kfb knit in the front and back of the same stitch

rnd(s) round(s)

st(s) stitch(es)

Click here to order the pattern for Ruche!

Ravelry page for Ruche is here!

The pattern cost is $4.50. Please remember that I personally send out all patterns from my shop via email with an attached pdf pattern. Sometimes there is a slight delay because it is not automated, it's me doing all of the sending! I try to be as prompt as possible.

Thanks and I hope you enjoy this beautiful, lush hat as much as I do!

best, susie

p.s. Two of my patterns made the Best Knitting Patterns of 2009 for Whipup.net. Check it out here! Thanks, Ramona, for letting me know.

p.p.s. I have a new free pattern available on Spud says! Check it out here!