The Entomology pattern by Adrian Bizilia of course!
I have been thinking about this hat since I first stumbled across it on Ravelry, and then I went out and bought the book a few months ago but had too many other things on the needles to begin it. (The Pinwheel Blanket pattern is also from this book.)
This week I used my fully stamped discount card at my LYS for 6 skeins of Dale Falk in wine and oatmeal, and I took up my circs, and I knit. Stranded colorwork is so satisfying. It’s hard to put it down when the picture starts to emerge.
The model is Babe-o-licious, a cat our neighbors left us. He’s a beautiful, if bitey, specimen.
The ridges you see are where the pattern repeats begin and end, but it’s not lumpy (see picture below). I’ve tried to be very careful with tension as I’m a white knuckle/tight knitter but you can see the floats across the top of the circular needle, and they’re quite loose. (Is ther such a thing as too loose? I’ll be finding out.)
I like this braided edge. It’s made with purl stitches where you twist the colors as you knit and it makes a nice clean edge. Very good detailing, I think.
No stranded project may be discussed without pictures of the wrong side. I sighed a little when I saw the pattern in reverse on the inside.
This hat is part of a gift set for my mentor. She doesn’t need to know that I kept putting the hat on and squeeing while I was working on it. I suspect I’ll be making a few of these sets. I love this pattern.
If you make more sets, you might check out this video.
http://www.philosopherswool.com/Pages/Twohandedvideo.htm
It shows you how to do stranding in the round without all of the little loops in the back.
Had to look it up. Squeeing? Hardly onomatopoeic, as even cicada don’t squee. Well, not exactly. But close. Close as I’ve ever heard.
Scarabs are nice, but not on your head….unless they are wine on oatmeal. Apparently Dale knows this.
You have hair on your digits? Not in the photos.
As for the ‘wrong side’. I usually like this referred to as “the reverse”…as in:
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” They say Paul said that. To the Corinthians.
Sorry, just waiting for an hurrican to make landfall.
But I really enjoy your site. Tell us more about your trip. And show us more of your insect friends. And more hats.