This is my first complete project using fleece from my sheep~ hence, hoof to head.
It started with my sweet Charlotte and Wilbur getting sheared last March and then continued with picking, washing and combing of fleece which took me longer than knitting and spinning combined. I spun the yarn into a 3 ply- 2 plies of Charlotte and one of Wilbur. My biggest mod to the pattern was to increase the size by continuing the increases in the purl area of the rib to 3 and 5. I also knit until I ran out of yarn so that my dad could have a folded brim. Blocked over a balloon which mostly removed the ‘nipple’ from starting at the top with the cable. I would definitely call this a success!
Jeff modeled for me and then we watched a holy wow(!) sunset
March 2014: Update, my dad has been wearing this frequently since Christmas. He proudly calls it his $4000 hat, partly because he pays me a living wage for all the painstaking fiber prep and partly because he includes all the hay for the sheep. Definitely a man who will get more handknits in the future!