California, Caps, Hanging Upside Down and Tapping Fingers.

Being a California resident, I never know what people in other parts wear on their heads.

All I know is, that people here will wear whatever they can on their heads for any reason at all. Like 72 degrees. Or for waiting in line at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Girlfriend, when I went to pick her up at school yesterday, was wearing her water bottle on her head. I kid you not. (Balancing was more like it, but I had to squeeze that fact in.)

I am always surprised when I go to other places where cold weather during winter is the norm. I see all manner of colorful and inspired stuff. 

That is why I decided I needed to break out the needles and just cast on for something textured and different from my norm. Usually, I stick to stuff that I can wear to the gym during the summer, say, a nice stockinette slouch cap for a gig on the Stairmaster. Or, oh, a jaunty beanie to wear at the cantina when there's a cloud over there.

But seriously. I have no clue, folks. But I'm trying.

This one is an attempt and something that looks a little like polka dots but it is more like honeycomb. I'm using Madelinetosh Pashmina and another Madelinetosh that I have to identify that is in the same weight. I knit this much in about four hours. It's an easy and fun slip-stitch pattern. Right now, I'm trying to figure out the best way to close the top. This is bottom-up. 

Maybe that is why I'm having such a hard time figuring it out.

I'm not a fan of hats that have texture or color work and then the designer cops out at the crown, just sticking stockinette or stripes on top where are all the shaping happens.

Knitting top down, sometimes, feels like hanging upside down.

In real life, I don't like hanging upside down.

In this other life, I do.

I think it is sometimes easier to start at the top and work the design in as I increase. It's kind of like backing into math. I have a weird math brain. I tap my fingers when I do math. I touch my fingers together as if to count, under the table when no one is looking.

I'm too lazy to re-design this to be top down.

So I will try to figure this out.

Goodnight.

Comments

[Renee Anne]

I've had to re-think hats and all accessories since we moved to California this past summer. We're originally from Wisconsin so hats needed to be warm and functional and, above all, warm warm warm. Same goes for scarves and mittens and cowls. It's very odd to see people with hats on that aren't there for warmth necessarily. I've still made plenty of winter hats this year...but most of them weren't for me. ::sigh::

[flossie]

I'm having this problem right now, with a colorwork hat. I am so, so bad at math.

[Lolly]

So cute! I've had visions of honeycombs dancing in my head lately.

[Seanna Lea]

This looks gorgeous.

I'm with you on wanting the design to go all the way up rather than abruptly ending when the decreases start.

[samm]

That hat would match the Newfoundland Mitten pattern! Same slip stitch design. :) It's fun to knit, and easy. I'll be watching for the pattern for this! It would be great in our Canadian winter weather, with a hood pulled up over it in very windy or wet times. Great hat! :) sammatravelry

[Chloe]

So far it's scrumptious.

[Shannon]

Lol.

[lapdogknits]

since the world didn't end yesterday....

I'm looking forward to seeing the end result..

good morning...

[=Tamar]

Decrease every other round in the gray bits, 6 or maybe 8 per round. When it gets small enough, decrease faster, either 12 per round or 6 on every round, including the orange.

[Theresa]

Nice design! Looking forward to following your work both here and on twitter!
Best regards,
Theresa
www.hilkkahandmade.wordpress.com

[Helen]

I was watching an entertainment show today. It was amazing that all these actresses run around wearing bulky knit hats. ? One was in Malibu. Bulky hat and scarf tied around her neck. It can't be that cold out there could it? BTW, I got Custom Knits for Christmas!!

[M.F.Peterson]

Well, it is very pretty and I'm excited to see what it becomes. As a life-long North Easterner, it looks snow-worthy!

[Sue]

Wanted to stop and wish you a Happy New Year and tell you I really enjoy your books.

[Samantha]

I'm several days behind here but I'm dying to know how this turned out...

[Cynthia Kemp-Reynolds]

This looks really interesting! I live in Canada, so WE WEAR HATS ALL THE TIME - especially now, obviously !!
I enjoy mixing up stitches and stitch patterns in every item I knit.
Anxious to see what the hat looks like when you are finished. Great idea.