from hillside to hat

 

I've been searching for my first proper "spin to knit" project for a while. I was very tempted to join in with Liesl and spin some sock yarn. Only problem is, my spinning skills and equipment are not quite yet up to the task (spinning worsted) and I think I'd be very disappointed to see all my hard work fall to pieces at a worn out heel.

Then Melody started talking about Shetland, Fairisle and hat knitting and I knew I'd found the project for me. The Shwook hat by Hazel Tindall is a low yardage hat that suits both delicate and more rugged (like mine!) yarns alike. It will also be a good opportunity to widen my knitting skills and finally try some Fair Isle.

Melody's idea for a knit-a-long during Shetland Wool Week has come-a-long at just the right moment!

I've got about six weeks to spin five 25g skeins of 2 ply jumper weight yarn in five different colour-ways ready to cast on the hat for the 4th October.

I'm incredibly excited about starting this project. There is something both incredibly rewarding and therapeutic about each stage of the process of turning a dirty bit of fleece into metre upon metre of soft knitting yarn.

I'm also excited by the prospect of documenting each stage of the journey here on my little blog. From hillside to hat, as it were.