Shedir and That Other Cabled Hat

In the midst of jetting back and forth to bicoastal interviews, I've been knitting some chemo caps for a friend who has breast cancer. I ordered four balls of Rowan Calmer, in Calm, Drift, Joy, and Peacock from Angel Yarns in the UK and set to work.

Here's the Cable Knit Cap from Headhuggers:










This hat was very easy, and would make a great first cabling project. I think the top looks especially cool. I had about 1/3 of the ball of Calmer left. I knit it on a size 5 Susan Bates circ, and switched to two circs for the decreases. If I were to do it again, I might do one more cable repeat, because it gets tight around the top with the decreases.

And finally, Shedir:










Again, I think the top looks really cool:







This is a really great pattern. For some reason, though everyone else has made this on size 3 circs, mine had to be on Size 1s. I thinks 2s might work also, as this Shedir was quite snug. I did all of the cabling without a cable needle. I think this is a great cabling project for someone ready to move beyond the basics. You have to follow the chart line by line. I got so many compliments on it as I was making it and once I was done, I think I may have to make some of these as gifts. When Jenna Wilson says it takes the whole ball of Calmer, she means it. I went through the "running out of yarn" paranoia that everyone has gone through with it, but sure enough, I had about 5 yards left over (if that).

I went on to make Jenna Wilson's Celtic Hat. But when I was done, I didn't like how shallow it was and ripped the whole thing before taking a picture. Or measuring my row gauge, which would have been helpful for customizing the sizing! Oops. But I will knit it over again using the longer chart, and maybe a picot hem instead of a rolled edge to add a little length. It was also a great pattern, with lots of sizing and edging options; I just didn't swatch or pay attention to the fact that I thought it was too shallow as soon as I reached the first pattern. It didn't take long either, so hopefully I will be showing one soon! I can see why everyone raves about Jenna Wilson as a pattern designer. She's very thorough! The Celtic Cap pattern was 14 pages long, with all of the options. I see a Rogue or an Eris in my future!

Any other recommendations for cabled hat patterns? Maybe a Hermione, though I don't know if one ball of Calmer would be enough. Maybe with a ribbed edge without the foldover.