FO: Head Hugger

It's cold in Boston. Like, really cold. I usually schlep around in a giant ski parka and a snow hat, but I would like to be slightly more stylish. So, the first step to style is not pulling a hat over your head to ruin your hair-do, right? And I figure the second step to style is wearing something that is semi-stylish (i.e. not a Chococat beanie). Enter the head hugger from Stitch 'n Bitch Nation. I figured this cute little ear warmer would save my hair since it ties in the back and nothing is being pulled over the hair. Also, those flowers are adorable!!

I planned to knit at least two of these - one for myself and one for a gift, but after making the first one, I'm not sure I'm up for a second. We'll see. Just knitting the plain band was a headache, because the pattern isn't as clear as I would like it. Then, the embellishments were like a nightmare! First, I was only going to put the flowers on, but when I finished those I thought maybe the leaves would look cute, so I made those, then I figured I had to embroider the stamen on as well... and it took forever. Then sewing it all on was quite the task. Luckily, I love the finished product! Check it out:


And here is a picture of it on my head (bad face day). You can see how it is completely ponytail-safe and it still covers enough of my head and ears to keep me warm:


yarn details
Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky in Chianti (CC) and Wild Violet (MC).
85% wool, 15% mohair
bulky
weight
handwash cold and dry flat

113 grams/125 yds @ $8.00 each

knit picks shine sport in grass (CC2)
sport weight

60% pim
a cotton, 40% modal
50g/110 yd per ball @ $2.49 each

notions:
embroidery floss
sewing thread

pattern details
pattern: "Head Huggers" by M.K. Carroll, from Stitch 'n Bitch Nation, pg 59.
size: earwarmer, blocked out slightly longer to tie at back instead of chin
gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4'' (not important)
needles: size 8 DPNs and size 7 straights (for leaves)
yarn used: just under half a skein of the wild violet, and minimal amounts of the chianti and the grass colors.
time: 10 hours (conservative estimate - I made a lot of mistakes)
total cost: $5.50

notes...

Labels: , ,