Warmth..for someone special

L. and I were walking down the main street in beautiful downtown Tarrytown one late Summer Sunday afternoon, when we stumbled on this store. I found was some interesting yarn and asked him to pick a color. I did have green in mind, cause he likes green. I also had formal in mind, so this dark olive was perfect. I picked the contrasting cement gray ('very boring' by my standards, which I figured might translate into 'formal' for him). I consider it to be a major achievement, since L. has a very sophisticated sense of style and I always struggle to keep up with him.

The yarn felt good. It was bulky Lamb's pride (blend of 85% soft wool and 15% Mohair). I think the shades were Deep Pine and Pistachio. It is the most expensive yarn that I have worked with so far. It's like eating real Parmigiana Reggiano. Just as you hate using regular ingredients after using gourmet ones, I don't feel like knitting with ordinary yarn after knitting with this one. And I know this is just the beginning. It opened up a whole world of interesting yarns beyond the standard worsted weight ones. It was also the first time I knit with such large needles. And that too bamboo ones. That was so addictive! The speed with which this project worked, totally made me lazy and not want me to work on smaller sized, metal needles. I guess, I can't get so used to the luxuries of knitting yet. Oh, and it was also the first time I used cables, and now I'm totally hooked. Someone please bring me back to reality.

It took me a lot of research, designing and false starts to get the pattern right. And then there was also the tight budget of yarn. I did the scarf first and then the hat, but should have done the other way round to reduce the anxiety related to not being able to finish the hat. Anyways, in the end it all worked out. Here are the patterns I used. (Inspired by a design I saw online, I think, on knitty.com)

Scarf (for colors, see the picture):

Cable-and-Rib pattern: (multiples of 10 + 4sts)

Cast 24 stiches.

Row 1: k1, (k2, p2, k4, p2) to last 3 stitches, k2, sl1 as if to purl
Row 2: p1, (p2, k2, p4, k2) to last 3 stitches, p2, sl1
Row 3: Repeat Row 1
Row 4: Repeat Row 2
Row 5: k1, (k2, p2, slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold in FRONT of work, knit next 2 sts, then knit 2 st from cable needle, p2)to last 3 stitches, k2, sl1 as if to purl
Row 6: Repeat Row 2

Repeat rows 1-6 to desired length


Hat (for colors, see the picture):
co 62 - 6 = 56 stiches
k2p2 ribbing for 4 rows
increase 6 stiches. (k9+ inc)*k2 (=62 stiches)
start pattern
6 cables 7 ribs for 2 cables (18 rows)
Shaping: (I think this is right)
decrease 6 stiches
(K2tg K6)*

(K2tg K5)*
(k2tg K4)*
(k2g K3)*
(k2g k2)*
(k2g k1)*
(k2g)*

Sew in the ends.


Even though this project was a little expensive, it was worth every bit, given that L. now uses the scarf (it's not cold enough for the hat yet)..and looks absolutely smashing wearing it. Plus I know that every stitch that I knit, I also knit in my love to keep him warm during the harsh winter. (Ok, it is a bit too cheesy!)
(Pictures coming soon!)