Supplies for the second project

For Project 2 students will create a hat to fit their head with at least one row of knitting that uses two colors. This will require a total of about 200 yards of the yarn of your choice in any two colors. You might need more yarn if you are making a long stocking type cap. Both colors should be the same weight of yarn (i.e. worsted or bulky, for example). Designs on this type of hat generally look better in a finer weight yarn such as DK or sport, however, it's generally easier for a beginner to work in worsted than in the finer yarns. Get needles to match the yarn weight - look on the yarn band for suggestions. You will need EITHER two circular needles of the same needle size with one being 16" long (the other can be any length) OR one 16" circular needle and a set of double pointed needles of the same needle size OR one 16" circular needle. The last option limits your choices for ending the hat.

I have several sample hats to show students design, color, and decreasing options. Students in class were able to look for design inspiration from the library of books of traditional knitting that I have accumulated since deciding to teach this class a year ago. These are listed in the sidebar to your left. Students are charting their own designs on graph paper. Most of the slower knitters were encouraged to choose from the peerie designs of Fair Isle knitting, while the more experienced knitters are taking on bigger designs.

Making a sample swatch to check your gauge and determine the circumference of your hat:
I'm having students cast-on 20 stitches to create a flat swatch even though they will be knitting the hat in the round. The first inch of the swatch is the chosen brim technique - stockinette stitch to create a rolled brim (required of the slower knitters) or K1 P1 or K2 P2 rib. This is followed by a couple rows of knitting in the background color, then rows of the color design. Using the gauge swatch determine the number of stitches to an inch (call this number X). I'm having most students use the gauge of their plain knitting since they will only have a row or two of color. Measure the size of your head (Y). Multiply X by Y to determine the number of stitches to cast-on. This can be adjusted to allow for a complete repeat of the design. Although ribbing will have more stitches to the inch than the color or plain knitting, it will stretch well enough to accomodate the difference.