Hi, Knitters,
I had a wonderful time teaching last Friday at the Sun Valley Fibers January Thaw Retreat. I had two talented groups attend my Fair Isle Hat and Top-Down Baby Cardigan Workshops. It was great to get to attend a local retreat. It was held in Barneveld, Wisconsin, which is about 40 minutes or so from my home. The Wisconsin knitters are always dear to my heart and they are a warm, welcoming, friendly bunch. I have met and know many of them, and I met many new friends as well. Attendees weren't only from Wisconsin. I had students from Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois. I heard someone came all the way from Texas, too. Anyway, thank you to Jeanette and George (the owners of Sun Valley Fibers) for being helpful, gracious hosts and for inviting me in the first place. I would definitely come back!
Click here to see a photo of my teacher table demo in action! The photo was taken by Megan Williams of the Stockinette Zombies video podcast. She was in my class and it was great to meet Megan in person. I love her podcast and watch every week.
Jeanette had asked me awhile ago if I would design something with the signature Thaw Retreat colorway she created just for the retreat and I said sure. I came up with a squishy hat and mitt set with a simple cable pattern, just to add a little fun and interest. This would be a good first time cable project for anyone wanting to try.
The yarn colorway, Winter Wonderland, is beautiful but you could use any variegated or solid or semi-solid or self-striping colorway for the set. It would all work wonderfully. I used Jeanette's 80/10/10 Superwash Merino/Cashmere/Nylon Worsted Weight yarn and let me tell you, it is squishy and beautiful. The Sun Valley Yarns are always gorgeous and fun to knit.
I love how the set turned out. The hat is knit at a slightly tighter than usual gauge. It fits so nicely and doesn't stretch out at all. The mitts have a slightly off-center cable running down the top of the hand. I put the cable a little closer to the thumb side of the mitt because I think it looks a little more interesting that way. Also, I think you, as the wearer, can see the cable when it is set toward your thumbs a little while you are knitting or sipping your hot mug of cocoa. I love the folded ribbed cuff on the fingerless mitts. It could be worn flat for more coverage as well.
Click here for the Winter Wonderland Hat & Mitt Set information and to purchase! You get both patterns included. A discount code is included for $1.00 off through Feb. 2nd, 2014!!
The discount code is: THAW
The patterns were tech-edited by Amy Detjen and test knit by Jeanette of Sun Valley Fibers. The simple cable is written out and charted.
Here is specific pattern information you might like to know about the Winter Wonderland Set:
Hat
Size: To fit an average adult-size head from 19 – 22 inches (This size range would also fit a teen or older child's head as well.)
Fingerless Mitts:
Sizes: small (medium, large) to fit hand circumference 6 (7,
8) inches at knuckles
Yarn: Sun Valley Fibers 80/10/10 SuperwashMerino/Cashmere/Nylon Worsted Weight, 220 yards/120 grams in Winter Wonderland
Hat without pom-pom: 1 skein (115 grams for the hat without
pom-pom)
Hat with pom-pom: 2 skeins (The pom-pom in the sample weighs
23 grams)
Mitts alone: 1 skein
Hat with pom-pom and mitts: 2 skeins
US size 5 sixteen-inch circular for ribbed brim
US size 6 sixteen-inch circular for the body of the hat
US size 6 double-pointed needles for the top of the hat
Or size to obtain gauge
Gauge:
6 sts per inch in stockinette stitch on US size 5
5.5 sts per inch in stockinette stitch on US size 6
On the brim I alternated skeins every two rounds, and on the body of the hat I alternated every round. I think the pooling looks pretty cool on the brim and I am usually not much of a pooling fan. Alternating every round on the top section of the hat eliminated the pooling. I had fun experimenting with the alternating. I don't knit much with variegated yarns, hardly ever, so it was fun to see what would happen.
If you'd like to purchase the Winter Wonderland Hat & Mitt Set I am running a discount for the first week of the pattern release. The discount is for $1.00 off. The hat and mitt set are both included and will be for sale for $5.00 normally, and today through Feb. 2nd, 2014, I am selling it for $4.00 with the discount code: THAW
Click here to get the Sun Valley 80/10/10 Worsted Superwash Merino, Cashmere, Nylon yarn used in the set! I don't know if Jeanette is going to be selling the Thaw Retreat colorway, the retreat is ending today. Jeanette has loads stunning colors (some new!) available in this same yarn that would look great in the hat and mitts!
You could also use any worsted weight you have in the stash. Striping from the stash would look super cute!
Be sure to type in the discount code THAW when you purchase the pattern set. To get both of these patterns for $5.00 is a great deal, but don't miss the chance to get both for only $4.00 this week!
Have a great Sunday, Knitters! I'll be back soon with much more. I'm thinking of doing another Catching Up video podcast of sorts later this week, too. I hope you'll join me.
best, susie
