Tuesday, January 22, 2008

More cables

Yup, another cabled hat!

I was trying for a braid, but I got what I know now is called a 'horseshoe cable' on this hat. It's for another friend (and I'll be including a no-return/no-repair policy with it!).


Mmmm Malabrigo. I kept hearing everyone talking about it, but didn't realize what the fuss was about until I actually worked with it. Oh man...I wanna make Malabrigo PJs!! It's so soft & warm & fluffy, I love it!


I think I've got a couple more cables in me before I move on. Which is good, because I still haven't finished my cabled vest! But I know I'm going to make at least one more hat, because I'm determined to do a nice braid. I've cast on three times now, but I keep getting the math wrong. I finally cracked out a spread sheet and entered in the cable pattern I wanted, and from there figured out how to start the ribbing. Hopefully I'll get it right this time around.


I have a quick question for the knitters - how do you figure out the decreases at the end? I know how to do a nice spiral for just a regular hat in the round, but I'd like to keep the cable pattern going as far up the hat as I can. Any ideas? It'll end up being a 6 stitch cable with 4 purl stitches in between. I free-handed the one above, and am not thrilled with it. Is there a general rule to follow?



7 comments:

Trillian42 said...

Malabrigo PJ's... oh, my. What a lovely idea! :D

And I have no idea how people plan out decreases on hats. I never remember which way makes a swirl and which makes straight (i.e. hideable between ribs) lines.

Rebel said...

For a swirl, figure out a number that divides evenly into the total number of stitches (let's say it's 8). Then you do a decrease round, k6 k2tog (for 8 stitches total) all the way around, then a round even, then on the next round k5 k2tog all around... etc. That's my favorite because it's so easy to remember.

Bezzie said...

Yeah I'm of no use in the decrease department...I can only do it when I'm actually knitting and can only explain it as I'm doing it.

I was trying to make some socks with that cable...'cept it was called a "downwards claw" in my pattern book!

Rebel said...

ooooh... I like the term "downwards claw" sounds all dangerous!

Michael5000 said...

Rebel, actually, there is no set way to handle the decreases in that situation. You will just have to wing it. The good news is, there is no wrong answer. Let your creativity be your guide!

In other news, awesome hats!

Rebel said...

Never let lack of knowledge or experience prevent you from giving advice. =P

Michael5000 said...

Exactly right. If you fail to give advice, people might think your stoopid.