Finished Project: Lotus (Stash Busting 2010)

Finished Project: Lotus (Stash Busting 2010)

Pattern: Laurel by Jared Flood

Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted Multi (1 skein in Watercolor) and Laines du Nord Royal Cashmere (about 0.75 skein in Salmon)

Needles: US3 for the ribbing, US7 for the hat body, and US4 for the lining

Duration: April 30, 2010 through May 3, 2010

Reflections: I liked a few of the patterns in the Classic Elite Pamphlet, though Laurel didn't really jump out at me until I tried to knit it with leftover KP Gloss HW; the gauge was way off and I didn't have enough yarn. But I fell in love with the pattern.

Initially, I didn’t think a variegated yarn would show off the cables well enough. But I really like the finished hat. I also fell in love with this yarn, it is very soft and the colors are vibrant but not so much to subdue the cables.

Unfortunately, the hat ended up much too large. I added a cashmere (left over from Pink Gables) liner in an attempt to tighten things up. The hat was still huge after the liner. I sewed a two inch tuck in the brim, very unprofessional I know but I didn’t want to start over.

I am very disappointed with how many errors are in the pattern. I hope Jared wasn't as careless with the remaining patterns in the series.

I think the final hat is a bit silly, but I think all slouchy hats are a little silly. Despite the silly factor, I have been wearing the hat everyday. Yes, a hat is required in mid-May at 11,400 feet. About 18 inches of snow fell last week.