Pattern Release: Waffling Hat

Finally, a new pattern!  The Waffling Hat was released into the wild today.  It is always gratifying to finish a project as involved and detail oriented as releasing a self-published knitting pattern, but even more so when the design holds sentimental value.  Sentimental value may be taking it a bit far, but this hat embodies my first design inspiration from almost exactly two years ago.  Since the idea's inception, I have tweaked, enhanced, and improved the design a lot, and I am very proud to present the finished product.



Sizes: S/M (to fit 19-20.5” head), (M/L (to fit a 20.5-22” head), L/XL (to fit a 22.5-24” head))

Gauge: 16 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in thermal pattern
Skills needed to knit this pattern: knit, purl, work in the round, Kf&b, k2tog, p2tog, pick up stitches (optional based on brim style choice), yo (optional based on brim style choice)
Materials:
1 (1, 2) skeins of Malabrigo Yarn Worsted Merino (210yd/192m to 100g/3.53 oz.) or 150 (180, 230) yards of worsted weight yarn.
US 6 16” (4 mm 40 cm ) circular needle or needle about two sizes smaller than size needed to obtain gauge
US 8 16 “ (5 mm 40 cm) circular needle or size needed to obtain gauge
US 8 (5 mm) dpns or size needed to obtain gauge

1 stitch marker to indicate the beginning of the round

1 safety pin or removable stitch marker (optional)
1 button approx. 1” in diameter (optional based on brim choice)
tapestry needle
Waste yarn (optional based on brim choice)




It's hard for me to choose a favorite element of this design.  Is it the button? 



Is it the squooshy* yet organic texture of the waffle stitch? 



Is it the customizable brim? 

It would be delightful to hear what you love about the design.  Comment here or on ravelry to let me know!

Another Hestia

After I wrote the pattern for Hestia and knit my original sample in tosh sock, I decided to test out another yarn, Malabrigo Sock.  I intended to use my sister Sarah as a model for this pattern, so I knit a smaller size than the one I would want for myself.  However, Sarah went to Ireland in August and hasn't come home yet.  I decided to put on the sweater I knit for her, and even though it's kind of too small, I still enjoyed wearing it.  If I lose a few more pounds, this sweater will permanently become mine.  Sorry, Sarah!

Pattern:  Hestia by Jacquelyn Ridzy (me!)

Yarn:  Malabrigo Sock in Impressionist Sky

Needles:  US 6

While Malabrigo Sock does create a very soft, light fabric, I think I prefer a slightly thicker yarn like tosh sock for this pattern.

If you have knit this pattern, I'd love to feature you on my blog!  Email me photos and tell me about the yarn you used.  I'll feature you in a special blog post!

New Pattern: Hestia

The idea for this design was born nearly a year ago when my LYS Angelfire Studios received its first shipment of Madelinetosh tosh sock.  I was completely taken by the colorway Turquoise (shown above) and I knew I had to make it into a cozy flyaway cardigan to show off the tonal variegation of the yarn, keep me warm but not boiling, and add another gorgeous layer that will work with almost any outfit.  I couldn't find a pattern for what I wanted, so I set off to write my own.  After a lot of ripping, reknitting, testing, and perfecting, I have a garment and pattern that I am proud to share.

 Hestia can be worn so many different ways:  open, belted, pinned, tied...your imagination is the limit.  I've worn mine so many times since I finished knitting it nearly 3 months ago.  It has quickly become my favorite cardigan.

Hestia is for sale on ravelry.com.

Materials: 3 (4, 4, 4, 5) skeins of Madelinetosh tosh sock or 1100 (1250, 1380, 1500, 1700) yards of fingering weight yarn

US 6 40” or longer circular needle or size needed to obtain gauge

US 5 circular needle or double pointed needles or needles one or two sizes smaller than those needed to obtain gauge
US 6 double pointed needles
2 stitch markers (at least one should be removable)

Gauge: 5 stitches and 7 rows per inch in blocked stockinette stitch using larger needles
Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL) with a measurement of 12 (13, 14, 15, 16) inch back width (between armhole seams).