The Hats Go Marching, 2 by 2
What’s a grrl to do when when she’s sick of knitting mittens.
Turn her attention to hats, of course.
Two years ago this month my next door neighbor, an amazing knitter of Norwegian descent, passed away. That Christmas and every Christmas since, I’ve knit a hat or mittens for her great-grandson. This year, it was a 2×2 ribbed hat:
Yarn: Magic Garden Buttons (less than one skein)
Pattern: Cashmere Ribbed Hat (80-stitch cast on)
Needle: 16″ circular (4mm)
Time to knit: less than a day
This was the last gift I had to knit. . . . Or so I thought.
DD saw the hat on Thursday night and immediately decided her three friends must also have one. No matter that I’d already begun decompressing from the holiday knitting by casting on a scarf for myself.
Clearly, I’m a sucker:
The dark pink one (knit from an angora/merino blend yarn I dyed myself) has already been gifted. And look how happy it made the recipient:
The light pink one (which I managed to squeeze out of one, luscious skein of Sublime Extra Fine Merino) is wrapped and ready to deliver tomorrow. The red one, which I’m knitting from Cascade 220 Quatro, is still on the needles this evening but it’s close to done.
DD insisted that I add a white stripe so her friend could wear the hat when she cheers on her favorite school. Since the hat is knit entirely in 2×2 rib, I was hesitant because stripes knit in ribbing always look like crap.
See what I mean:
But then I remembered a trick that completely eliminates the obvious color changes.
So, what’s the trick?
When you work the first round with the new color, discontinue the ribbing in that round–knit every stitch instead. Then return to the ribbing in the next round.
The stitch pattern change is barely noticeable even when it’s stretched:
Problem solved.
Now where did I put those sock ornaments I knit for my nephews.
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28 comments Susan | hats, knitting
28 Responses to “The Hats Go Marching, 2 by 2”
Great tip on color change!
Merry Christmas!
I’m so glad the Sublime ended up being enough without having to lace. I’m sure the recipient will love it. That yarn is the best. It was fun to see you at BSW. That’s so cool that you knit for her great-grandson. I have a baby blanket from her for Little Peep and I learned about Wallabies from her. She was such a neat lady. I hardly knew her, but I somehow still miss her. Merry Christmas.
Very cute hats and cute on the recipients.
Have a very Merry Christmas.
Great hats, and great tip! Thanks!
That is a really good tip. I hope the hat is done and you can just knit for yourself!
The hats are adorable. Thanks for the color in ribbing info, I would have never thought of that.
You are good to DD – that’s a lotta on-demand knitting! Looks great tho.
I think that is the same quatro I am using for a pair of socks.
I am using the pattern found here
http://www.daytonknittingguild.com/patterns.shtml
I have always wanted some red socks.
I have some Sublime Extra Fine Merino for baby gifts but can’t decide on a pattern, I had better hurry as the baby is now 3 weeks old.
The hats are terrific – and those sock ornaments are adorable! I may have to turn out a few of those next year.
What a handy tip on stripes in ribbing!
Does everyone one you know have hand knit mittens or hats!? You’re the neighbor Santa!! Good work.
Merry Christmas!
Awww, cute hats!
You’re amazing, you speedy-needles you!
Oh, that stripe trick is INVALUABLE. I hope I remember it next time I need to.
You seriously knit faster than anyone I ‘know.’
You are
Love the color change tip! thanks!
Merry Chriskwahanukkah, Susan!
Beautiful hats!! Thanks for the ribbing color tip!
A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours. Love the stockings and hats! Thanks so very much for the “hat trick”!
Wow! What a trick… will have to remember that one. I can’t even see the change in stitch in the close up there.
Wow, thanks for that tip! I have a color change in the ribbing of a sweater I’ve been knitting, and I thought there was no way to get around the craptastic look of the color change. Neat trick.
I’ll have to write down that stripe trick too, it looks so much better!
okay, wait–I’m confused. Why does that happen with the stripes? Isn’t it only on the wrong side? Have I truly never noticed this?
What a wonderful tip/trick! Thank you!!
Wow! I had no idea that sweet little blue hat would inspire so much more knitting. How funny. That cute cheerleader looks even cuter in that hat. Brava!
Nice hats, and a beautiful young girl to wear it. I hope you have had a nice and peaceful Christmas, and my best wishes for 2008. May it be a knitful and happy year.
hey – how lucky to read this. I am knitting 4×4 ribbed hats from a little pattern I found from Vogue Knitting. and the color changes do look weird. thanks for the tip!!
and I also got sucked into making more than one – each of my brothers-in-law had to get one after I made one for my husband. and I am at work on two more for others to be named later (their wives may read this!!!)
I am using Debbie Bliss Rialto Superwash wool. It is a really easy to use yarn, although if you have to frog and redo, it tends to lose its twist. but great colors. check out my blog to see the three “boys” in their hats!!
Have a gr8t 2008!!
You’re a genius. Thank you so much for the tip on color changes!!