09-29-2024

The crochet cast on as instructed in the pattern is a bitch to remove from ribbing (great for stockinette though). I can’t help but think, it is the wrong cast on for ribbing. The knit stitches come out easily, but the purls do not and it just takes me forever. I’ve knit this pattern 4 times and each time I removed the cast on, I kept thinking it was a me problem. But the last time when I made Gracie’s hat, after some thought, I realized, it is the cast on. Yes, it’ll work, but there has to be a better way.

So I spent some time experimenting with different provisional cast ons. Knitting a bit of 2x2 ribbing and then taking it out. I am going to do a long tail provisional cast on this time, as in this video. The only gotcha, is the twisted half stitch at the beginning. You have to make sure you pick that up. Also note, she suggest using a smaller scrap yarn, and make sure the scrap yarn is over your thumb when casting on.

10-25-2024

Cast on 104 sts on US8 metal cubics, using long tail provisional cast on. Switched to US7 after cast on.

10-27-2024

Brim finished. Knit ribbing to about 4.5”. Used 48g of yarn. Got stitches from the provisional cast on on a needle. Will start red tomorrow. This provisional cast on was much easier to undo than the crochet provisional cast on. Happy. I’m not 100% sure about using scrap yarn that is so much smaller. It made the stitch loops tight and hard to see. If/when I do this again, I’ll try it with a bigger yarn. I’m not so concerned about the stitches getting stretched out because they will get turned to the inside of the hat anyway. I used my smallest needle to pick up the stitches, US1 (2.25mm).

10-30-2024

Using US8 needle. Knit to 5.25” or so in red. Then started decreases. Had to do my own math for decreases since I cast on more stitches.

11-03-2024

Knitting finished.

Measurements pre-blocking

14.5” tall
10” wide (20” circumference)

11-09-2024

48g brim
67g red
20g pompom

11-13-2024

Washed/ blocked/ dried

9.75” wide (19.5” circumference) widest part of red
16” tall without pompom