Voyager cap - the experiment

So I set out to knit a voyager cap for my husband, following Wicked Woollen's pattern.
I used Rowan's dk tweed, which is 100% pure new wool, colour scheme Askrigg.



The hat started to look worryingly large, but I was reassured by Wicked Woollen's comfirmation that that was just as it should be!
I even dared going a bit bigger, because my husband has a big head. Haha!
The final measurements of the finished hat before felting was 66cm/26" long and 52cm/20.5" circumference.

Then the felting fun began!

I used an old large boiling bucket and a stick of soap, filled it with hot water (as hot as I could bear to touch) and got rubbing.
I found a wire mesh in the garden, which I found useful for rubbing against; but just stirring, rubbing and wringing the fabric in the water worked pretty well too.

Just as I started to panic, because if anything the hat seemed to get bigger, it started to get smaller.
The fabric feels lovely and thick and soft.

It fits my husband perfectly. Handsome, eh?!

Sunshine International Blankets of Love - SQUARES PROJECTS

Don't know what to do with your left-over yarn and have some time to make some squares?

Sunshine International Blankets of Love is on the look-out for 6x6" squares for a number of projects.
There is the 'One Heart From Around the World Challenge' and the  'Olympics London 2012 Challenge' and the 'Irish Rose Challenge' and the 'Musical Challenge' and many more ...
Follow the link below to find out more.

SIBOL CHALLENGES 2011: SIBOL CHALLENGES (THREE NEW OPTIONAL CHALLENGES).2...: Hi Everyone! Welcome to 'SIBOL Challenges!' For your information 'SIBOL' (Main Blog) 'SIBOL-The Archi...

Voyager cap

I am hoping to try knitting a voyager cap (also called sailor's cap or Machault Cap), based on a traditional 18th century pattern. I purchased this pattern from Wicked Woollens on Ravelry. The cap is knitted in a long egg-shape, felted and then doubled in on itself. My husband quite fancies the cap for himself, so it will be a surprise for him.

Mug cosies

Here are my first attempts at Kristen TenDyke's mug cosies:

With Valentines Day in mind ...

Here is my next project. (Trying to get ready for Valentines Day in time for once, rather than leaving it to the last minute!)

See the pattern for this pretty heart mug cozy on Kristen TenDyke's webpage here.

Hopefully pictures of my own cosies will follow soon ...