I did end up running out of yarn on the red beret, but it was also pretty big, so I ripped it out and scaled the stitch pattern down.
This time I had lots of yarn leftover, but I think I was a little over enthusiastic in my scaling down.
It’s kind of cute, but not the beret I was aiming for. So I’ve ripped it back again and if this doesn’t work I’m going to admit that the stitch pattern + limited yarn is a ridiculous combo and just buy a different yarn for this pattern. The first would have worked perfectly with more yarn.
Although frustrating this hasn’t yet matched the amount of trial and error involved in Gretel and I’m certainly glad I didn’t give up on that.
My trip to K1 on Friday was great and produced something more exciting than new yarn. I’m going to be teaching a class. We’ll be making Urchin, which should fun, it’s a more interesting beginner project than a garter stitch scarf! Now to figure out which is the easiest provisional cast on method for a beginner to master.
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Well done on getting the teaching spot! I’m sure it’ll be a great time for all involved.
Congratulations on the course – I would come if I were in Edinburgh :o)
Don’t give up! I’ve got a skein of red yarn that’s dying to be reborn as this hat.
I have utmost faith that you can make this beret happen, but boy is that annoying when it doesn’t work out right the first time!. Pretty much, I am in love with the stitch pattern you chose.
That’s a marvellous stitch pattern – I’ve been thinking about knitting my first beret for some time know; maybe I should do so once you put this one up for sale.
And congrats on the class!
I followed the link to the K1 webshop you put up some days ago – and being so excited that I finally found a place in Europe to buy the Habu stainless steel yarn, I went and purchased some. So, thank you for the link :)
Oh, I hope you try again with this beret. The stitch pattern is just amazing and I’d love to see it come to life!
Well done on the teaching job!
I do love the stitch pattern on that red beret – hopefully you can sort out the problems with it soon.
It does already look gorgeous even if it’s not quite where you want it to be yet! So fun that you’ll be teaching in the new yarn shop..I’m going to email my best friend in Edinburgh and tell her to go….
I just came across your page for the first time and was really pleased to read you’ll be doing a class at K1 Yarns. I hope that the hat works out for you eventually… ;)
It may not have been the effect that you were looking for, but I rather like it as a hat!
I used the crochet cast-on when I knitted Urchin. It was my first time doing it and it worked out great! Can’t wait till you finish the new hat- its beautiful.
Dun give up! I can’t wait for a lace beret pattern from you.
Oooh, ooh! I know the answer to that! It’s the longtail double-stranded cast on! (Link is PDF http://www.knitandtonic.typepad.com/LTPCastOn.pdf)
That was easiest for me when I first started oh so long ago. :)
I’m excited to see how your beret turns out! It’s looking great. The stitch pattern is really clever! :)
Yay! Good luck teaching (I’m going to start teaching next week too) we’re going to take the muggles one at a time and take over the world! ;-)
(I think you should get more yarn if at all possible, the design is so great in this color!)
Yardage woes always make me just want to abandon the project fullstop — I’m impressed you’ve held on for so long! Congrats on getting to teach a classm, too! I hope it goes well.
Lovely colour. I usually hate cables (something to do with too many associations with Aran jumpers here in Ireland,-only tourists seem to buy them now…)but I do love this and Gretel, I think they look both vintage and modern at the same time. Do persevere with this one as I’m sure you’ll get it right ;)
Congrats on getting to teach a class!
My favorite provisional cast-on is this one: http://www.ariadneknits.com/blog/?p=286 (for the unzipping, see: http://www.ariadneknits.com/blog/?p=289). This very clear tutorial made it extremely easy for me to do it on my own, and I would think that it would be even easier for your students since you’ll be there to show it and help them, should they need help with the technique.
There must be something in the air, as I was just thinking about how every hat I’ve made this winter has either been too small or too big. The pattern is really lovely, though. I’m sure your finished product will be worth all the work!
Congrats on the teaching job. I’ve been a fan of your patterns for a long time, and I think this red beret is going to be fabulous. Question for you, if you don’t mind. I’m madly in love with the red lipstick you’re wearing in the pics for Urchin. Would you mind telling me what the brand and shade is? Thank you so much.
Your red beret is just lovely! I think red hats are my favorite!! Great job!
Wow it’s great for your teaching class!
And for the beret, ha calculation about yardage it’s always a difficult thingsn but it’s in errors we learn. It could have been a really pretty beret…
I wish I could join your class! Lovely beret!
ps, I know you don’t know me but I gave you a little award http://bbaking.wordpress.com/2008/02/26/make-my-day/ no need to participate.
hi,
your posts are often picture-heavy (wich i like) but very slow to load. why dont you scale down the pictures “for real” with photoshop or something, and not just set the size when you place them in the post? eeh, i hope you understand what i mean, not so good at explaining … :) anyway, i like your blog alot, you gives me inspiration!
Just wanted to let you know that the stitch markers arrived safely and I love them.
http://coxendix.blogspot.com/2008/02/parcel-from-scotland-i-knew-immediately.html
Your beret is a beautiful colour, good luck with getting the kinks sorted out.
I read that you are trying to figure out which is the easiest provisional cast on for beginners. Being a beginner who just finished an urchin, I thought I’d mention that, though I got by, it was really hard to figure out which of the stiches in the crochet chain to pick up, so that when I went to undo the chain, I ended up having to cut the chain off bit by bit. Maybe there is an easier form of provisional cast on? It worked out alright in the end, though, and I’m really happy with the hat – thanks!
The easiest method I found on the net was Eunny’s invisible crochet cast on II. She explains it here in 1-syllable words and with pictures! Youi’ll find it on this page and scroll down a bit: http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/2006/03/majoring_in_lace_part_iv.html.
Even I understood immediately what she was talking about.