White Indulgence
Doesn't Look Like Much, But Feels Like a Dream
It doesn't look like much yet, but it is well on it's way to becoming a small part of John's Christmas present. John got a very big man-toy in advance of Christmas (think four wheels and a hood ornament), and since he is the world's most difficult guy to find presents for, he's getting something simple that he's been asking for for a while now: a head band.
But not just any headband, my sweetie loves soft stuff. His headband is out of Cascade Indulgence. This yarn is 70% alpaca and 30% angora and just as soft as a cloud. I'm getting the stated 5 stitches/inch on US size 7 needles over stockinette. You might think that knitting with such an inelastic yarn would be a chore, but I'm not noticing it. The fabric has pretty good resiliancy when stretched, as well.
So why does it look like a roll brim hat? Well, when I did my test swatch, the intended recipient liked the softness (and deigned to let me include an actual pattern stitch), but he felt the swatch was a little airy. So, my idea is to create a double thickness of angora/alpaca goodness between him and the cold outdoors. The front of the band will contain the pattern stitch (called Diamond Brocade) and the back will be plain stockinette.
The whole thing is knit in the round. I knit two inches of plain stockinette, the 4 inch pattern panel (I'm halfway through it in the picture) is in the center, and then there will be two more inches of stockinette. After I cast off, I will mattress stitch the long edges together and block in such a way that the tube becomes flattened just above and below the seed stitch border around the pattern. John's still a little suspicious about the pattern, but I assured him that if he wanted to have me knit this headband, it had to have some detail that would keep my attention.
I guess you could consider it my first gansey-style garment.
I'm glad now that I ordered an extra stash of Indulgence for myself. I've got three skeins of a nice purplely color awaiting some kind of scarfdom for me. If you're looking for some for yourself, it's on sale at ThreadBear -- only $9/skein for 246 yards! Really an awesome treat!
Oh! A headband with an extra layer for warmth! A perfect gift. And I love the diamond brocade pattern; I swatched it a short time ago. Interesting to knit and an even more interesting textured pattern as a result. Excellent choice, Theresa!
Happy holidays to you and yours,
XOXO - Becky
I made some wrist warmers out of Cascade Indulgence over Thanksgiving and it was terrific to work with and seemed elastic enough (2X2 rib). BUT I have to say that since I've been wearing them a lot, they seem to be stretching out a bit. The yarn doesn't seem to have much memory. Do you think popping them in the washer would help? Or would that be a disaster? I am not sure what to do. But they are the softest things I've ever worn. No wool rashes on *these* wrists, no sirree!
Double layers are great! I once made a hat for my boyfriend's mother that was chenille outside and a soft acrylic inside (the chenille was gorgeous but it made her forehead itch). I bet the headband will be stunning (and warm!) when you're done! :)