December 25, 2022

I thought I would use a different cast-on, but reverted to the crochet-hook cast-on after a few aborted attempts at a tubular or a knitted-on.

After playing with this new-to-me yarn for the last few hours, I’m really liking the feel! I just hope my scalp agrees with my fingers.

The pattern’s 2 cm of ribbing comes to four rounds for me.

Using Hiya Hiya interchangeable - 40”, Travelling Loop, and feeling spoiled by my experience with the super-limp K Kables on the Kolláge circular I used a few days ago. These blue cables seem to be fighting me!

Ribbing done (and not twisted from the start!), and about two rounds of stockinette done. I absolutely will NOT start over, but 140 stitches are probably too many. If it doesn’t fit me, I’ll find a head it does!

I have four of these Cakes - enough to make another, if need be.

2339 hrs.
Has the softness of the yarn made my usually more-tightly-than-most tension relax?

Rip out and try on even smaller needles?
Frog and restart with a lot fewer stitches?
Continue, and call it a cowl?

Stopping now, and will have supper, rather later than planned. Decision later!

December 26, 2022

0345 hrs.
Frogged.
Will try again later today, after some sleep.

Could it be that I knit less tightly on smaller needles?

I’ll try with the smaller number of cast on stitches, and knit until well past the decreases. At least two people on Ravelry have managed to make it.

If it’s still too big, then I’ll change for smaller needles.

1712 hrs.
I just took a good look at this yarn. Although it’s listed as aran weight (in theory, a tad thicker than worsted), it has only three actual plies, and those are rather loosely plied together. In my opinion, it’s closer to DK than worsted, let alone aran.

132 sts.
6 rounds 2x2 ribbing = ~2.5cm.

It’s strange how, after six rounds of ribbing, it’s hard to stop ribbing! I had to tink back a couple of times on the first stockinette round!

2350 hrs.
13 rounds stockinette to reach 7 cm.
Next, the decreases!

December 27, 2022

12:30 hrs.
From: https://www.knitgrammer.com/blog/decrease-evenly-calculator/

Decrease evenly across a round: (k1, k2tog) 2 times, (k2, k2tog) 30 times, (k1, k2tog) 2 times.

Done, and the colour finally changed from cinnamon to orange. I’m guessing this hat will have only those two colours.

32 rounds from decrease round to 7.5”. Five rounds into the next colour - a burnt orange?

December 28, 2022

Only 8 stitches between markers!
Sleep now, complete later.

December 28, 2022

It’s done!!!
It fits!
I’m undecided about knitting a second one.

December 29, 2022

After wearing it around the house for a few hours, I believe I will knit another, but it’ll be about seven rounds shorter. This one, due to how far down it comes on the back of my neck, rides up while worn.

January 1, 2023

So, I was unhappy with the way the hat worked its way up above my skull in wearing it. Ripped back to begin the crown decreases an inch sooner. Done, and it’s better.