Here is another hat done for the Soaring Eagles Project. I used this hat to practice color work*, using my left hand, and also to practice knitting Continental.
*yes, I added a comma, because those are two separate things -- I need practice in both color work generally and in using my left hand for the color work
I found that I can knit Continental, and I can maintain gauge. I can see how it could be faster to knit that way, but I need practice. After a while, I got back to throwing, and I can still knit a lot faster that way. I'm not sure I will ever be completely comfortable with that left hand -- I am very right-hand dominant. My keyboarding, one would think, would help with the ambidexterity, and that may prove to be true in the end -- with practice. I also found that I can manage one strand in the left hand and one in the right for color work, and I can definitely see the value in doing so. I will keep on practicing.
This hat will fit better than the first one I sent to the project. Note to self and to anyone who is reading: Ann Budd's hat patterns are HUGE. They must have been written in the era of Big Hair, so as not to squish down one's 'do, or something.
This one is made of Mission Falls 1824 Wool. The pattern is a variation on Susan's Amber hat pattern. The colorwork design is different than Susan's. *cough* (adopt Peewee Herman's voice: I meant to do that.)
And when it came to the crown, I decided to do a spiral-decreased top and add a pompom. I'm especially fond of the raised ridge effect above and below the colorwork.
Wow- you're really cranking out those FO's! Cute hat.
Posted by: Manise | Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 03:23 PM
Very cute!
Maybe she has a big head and thinks everyone else does, too. Less embarassing than asking people how big their head is/are. Not that I've ever done that or anything...
*cough*
Posted by: Cookie | Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 03:44 PM
I too like that raised ridge with which you edged the colorwork. Sure wish I had thought of it BEFORE I did the colorwork on http://kmkat.typepad.com/kmkat_and_her_kneedles/2006/11/a_little_bit_of.html>my hat for Rabbitch. Oh well, next time.
Posted by: kmkat | Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 03:57 PM
Nice hat. You're a better woman that I - I've tried English a few times and give up after a few stitches. I'd love to be able to do both to more easily execute stranded designs.
Posted by: Margot | Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 06:46 PM
That looks great! What's a raised ridge?
Posted by: Laurie | Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 07:20 PM
Nice hat Norma. I knit Continental all the time (it was the way I was taught and I had no idea at the time it was different) and I do love it - the tension is so consistent and the carpal tunnel or wrist issues don't seem to be the same. Got to love Mission Falls; they make great wool for hats, mitts and stuff for kiddies...and they're Canadian (yay!).
Posted by: Cynthia | Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 07:29 PM
Lovely even stitches, you're a continental prodigy Norma! :)
Posted by: Debi | Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 07:32 PM
Love the pattern on the hat! I'm still too chicken to try colorwork.
I've never tried the sweaters, but everything else I've tried in AB's book is enormous if I use what would be a regular size for me. For example, I most certainly do not have dainty feet, yet I have to use the pattern for a women's medium or the socks are ridiculous. I do so love the concept behind the book though!
Posted by: Kristen | Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 09:28 PM
I spent one whole summer learning to knit Continental, and got pretty good at it, too, except that it causes hand and wrist pain where I never have it with my version (I flick rather than throw)of English. I also never got fast enough, had tension issues, and found it would not work on DPN's. Great for 2-handed color work, though! And your cute hat is almost the color of my "PV" sweater, which is not vanilla and has a turtleneck and ribbed bottom and cuffs!
Posted by: Marcia | Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 10:20 PM
I had to learn how to knit Continental after a finger injury on my right hand. It's pretty nifty, but yes, it does take a while to get the same tension and gauge as you would with English.
Continental purl, though? Still of the devil.
Posted by: lissa | Monday, November 13, 2006 at 03:41 AM
Was I under a rock yesterday or something? I did not see this post until this morning. If you want to call this hour MORNING.
Love that hat! I have been eyeing it for a while now. Love your color choice.
You're a good, WARM person, Nor!
Posted by: sandy | Monday, November 13, 2006 at 06:20 AM
Love the hat! Lovely blue. I taught myself Continental about 10-12 years ago and am now much more comfortable with it than English, although I use both in colorwork. All the books say to hold the main color in the right hand, and I hold it in the left.
Posted by: Lucia | Monday, November 13, 2006 at 07:48 AM
Very nice work! Hats are a great way to practice techniques you want to learn. I knew you meant to change the pattern the minute I saw the hat;-)
Posted by: margene | Monday, November 13, 2006 at 07:49 AM
I just love that pattern. Adorable hat, you generous gal, you.
xoxox
Posted by: Kim | Monday, November 13, 2006 at 08:48 AM
Practicing colorwork. Yeah. I should do that. So cute!
Posted by: Kat with a K | Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at 02:52 PM