Cost: $2.10.

Gauge: about 5.5 sts per inch.

Made a curlicue for the top by knitting I-cord:
-- cast 3 stitches onto double-pointed needles
-- knit those 3 stitches, leave on same needle, slide work to the right-hand end of needles without turning
-- knit 1, slip 1, knit 1
-- repeat these two rows until the I-cord reaches the length you want.

Slipping the center stitch every other row pulls the I-cord slightly, to make it a little curly.

The Valley Yarns Monterey is very soft and easy to knit. A mix of wool and cotton fibers twisted together, it creates a very subtle texture. The wool gets a little felty with washing (by hand), but the cotton twist keeps it from completely “melting” into a solid fabric.

I bought lots of skeins of this cream/natural Monterey when Webs was clearing it out. The hat was a trial to see how it knitted up. The remaining yarn will make a terrific sweater. I knit relatively tightly (smaller needles than receommended) so maybe it’ll make a nice firm jacket. Stay tuned.

The snailshell hat is a fine pattern. Very easy for the average knitter to adapt for any yarn size.