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November 29, 2006
Shedir
This was one of those unplanned projects. Well, to the extent someone that has to order yarn can have an unplanned project. Travis has been wearing this really ugly machine-knit hat (it has a company logo embroidered on it) and I decided that he needed a new hat. So, last week I ordered some yarn and I cast-on Wednesday night. I knit on the hat whenever I had a spare moment on Thanksgiving, and throughout the weekend. I should have finished on Saturday night, but had to rip back a bit and rework the pattern. So, I actually finished Sunday evening about 10:30.
Project Details:
Pattern: Shedir
Yarn: Dolly Maxi in Smoke Grey - 2 balls
Needles: 3.75mm 16" Addi Naturas
Thoughts/Modifications: Well, I obviously substituted yarn because cotton yarn for a winter hat in Wyoming doesn't make a lot of sense. I also wanted to make the hat a bit bigger to fit a guy. I used a tubular cast-on and cabled without a cable needle. I also had to reduce the total number of rows for the hat because my larger row gauge was resulting in a very tall hat. So, I just deleted one horizontal repeat and it turned out about right. This yarn is very soft and squooshy (yes, I do believe that is the technical term for it) and it's superwash - a must for Travis because he throws everything into the washing machine and just assumes it will come out just like it went in. I think the fit is ok. I maybe could have gotten away with a 3.5mm needle, but I wanted the cables to provide a dense hat that would stand up to the cold and wind in Wyoming.
However, despite what these photos might lead you to believe, Travis has yet to wear the hat outside because he thinks that it will not be "wind proof" (although the 12 degree high today would have been a good test). I explained that the cables and the wool would do a nice job of keeping his head nice and toasty, but he does not believe me. Or, he doesn't like it and thought the wind proof thing would be the better route. I don't know. Now, I could line it, but damn it I want him to tell me with actual certainty (by this I mean have some freaking proof) that the hat lets the wind blow through and freeze his ears off. I don't really think that's asking too much after I spent 4 days knitting the thing for him. So, I've decided that I'll give him a couple of weeks to wear it and if he doesn't I'm going to donate it to charity.
Comments
just wear the damn hat travis!!!!
if it's worth anything, I think it came out great!
Posted by: yahaira at November 29, 2006 9:17 PM
Hey, what a weird coincidence! We must have cast on for the same hat at the same time. I finished it last weekend, and it's grey too! Heck, I could have waited until Travis didn't want it, and you could just send it my way. ;-)
Posted by: joy at November 30, 2006 12:57 AM
It came out gorgeous. And he looks particularly good in it. Maybe if you tell him that people from far away as Paris think he's looking stunning with this hat, he'll wear it :). He'd be a fool not to in any case.
Posted by: julia at November 30, 2006 2:05 AM
A bribe might work. You know the bribe I mean, too.
And damn, he's cute.
Posted by: Carole at November 30, 2006 4:43 AM
it looks so cool! i know what you mean, my husband doesn't wear everything i make for him. he can come up with some really weird excuses. i'd line the hat as the last resort. some light fleece.
Posted by: blossom at November 30, 2006 5:27 AM
The hat is wonderful! Every time I see this pattern knit up, I think I should give it a try. Hopefully he'll give the hat a chance!
Posted by: Leslie at November 30, 2006 5:31 AM
What a great hat - never would've chosen it for a man hat, but it totally works. Make him test it, with the offer to line it with fine-knit cashmere liner if indeed its not wind-proof, then you'll KNOW if he's blowing smoke.
Posted by: PumpkinMama at November 30, 2006 5:58 AM
What a great hat! I sure hope he wears it - all of that work, and it rally does look nice on him. This is a cool pattern - I need to try it one of these days. You whipped it out fast, missy!
Posted by: Lolly at November 30, 2006 6:55 AM
That is one manly looking man hat. Definitely nice with the carharts too. He's lucky to have someone to knit him such a studly "I am a ranch man" hat.
Posted by: Kelli at November 30, 2006 7:31 AM
Awesome hat! I wanted to make this too, but it looked a little short in the pictures.. Yours came out a great length. He better wear it!
Posted by: Diana at November 30, 2006 8:10 AM
so if i change my name to 'charity' you'll give me the hat......??
how is the fit? snug or loose? I couldn't get a good read from the photo. I want to make one... it looks really great. I'm impressed! Great work
Posted by: j a r e d at November 30, 2006 8:36 AM
The hat looks awesome on Travis! If he doesn't think the hat will be windproof, he could wear it outside and have his other hat in the car as back-up. That wouldn't be so bad, right? It's a great hat.
My husband won't wear either of the scarves I knit for him. Maybe I should give them away to charity too...
Posted by: caitlyn at November 30, 2006 9:29 AM
It looks great and I love that it covers the ears! I say hide his other hat and force him to wear this one! :)
Posted by: Stacey at November 30, 2006 9:30 AM
The hat looks wonderful. I have no idea why he would not wear it, I would. Keep after him. There's no reason not to wear it or at least try it, it looks good on him.
Posted by: mil at November 30, 2006 9:45 AM
another great shedir! man, i TRIED to make this hat but when i messed up on the VERY FIRST ROW of 1x1 knit, i decided i just don't have the brain right now for it. too many twists and turns. sad. i really want to make it!
Posted by: gleek at November 30, 2006 9:45 AM
The hat looks wonderful. I have no idea why he would not wear it, I would. Keep after him. There's no reason not to wear it or at least try it, it looks good on him.
Posted by: mil at November 30, 2006 9:45 AM
Lovely hat. Do you think maybe he doesn't want to wear it outside because of the risk of losing it? Can *any* hat cut the wind in Wyoming?!
Posted by: Sylvia at November 30, 2006 10:02 AM
tsk. men. shedir is fab!
people in norway think he's cute in it, too - will that help?
Posted by: kris at November 30, 2006 10:23 AM
The Shedir looks great! Don't know how to tell you to convince him to wear it...us men are picky when it comes to stuff like that. I'm sure he'll realize how warm it is and grow to love it :)
Posted by: Adam at November 30, 2006 10:44 AM
Whatever the hat's fate, it looks really wonderful. My husband does the same fretting about wind.
Posted by: Amy at November 30, 2006 10:44 AM
Looks awesome! He'll wear it.. he has to. Otherwise tell him no cookies ;)
Posted by: Angela at November 30, 2006 10:47 AM
Well it's a really nice hat! But we all know how men can be, fussy.
Maybe you could make him a double thick hat. I'm using a basic pattern for the Harlequin Hat at Elann.com for my double thick hats, but then doing them in a different gauge. But the principal is the same.
Although that means making another hat, well technically two.
Posted by: Rebekah at November 30, 2006 10:51 AM
Great looking hat! Lucky guy!
Posted by: Leslie at November 30, 2006 11:05 AM
I can never get over how nice this pattern is (must add to my list)-looks great!
Posted by: brooke at November 30, 2006 11:11 AM
Ooh, I love it. I looks so cozy. I bet once Travis starts wearing it outside, he won't want to take it off. You could always steal it back, too;)
Posted by: Kelly at November 30, 2006 11:57 AM
I hope he wears it. It looks great. I'd live on a ranch too if there was a man looking like that (with that hat) walking around!
Posted by: Stephanie at November 30, 2006 4:33 PM
The proof of the knit-love is in the unsolicited wearing. Frankly, I'm not sensing it here.
My advice: henceforth only knit for those who love knitted items.
Posted by: claudia at November 30, 2006 8:48 PM
it's a freaking brilliant hat! what's the story travis! hrmp.
would you believe i am thinking of casting on for one shortly. i have the yarn sitting waiting for me. because i need a hat to keep my head warm during summer in australia...right!
Posted by: jacqueline at December 1, 2006 12:31 AM
It is such an awesome hat. I LOVE the color. That man should be kissing your feet in gratitude. :)
Posted by: Erin at December 1, 2006 12:49 AM
That's a great hat. How does Travis KNOW it won't block the wind if he won't even TRY it? (His parents must have had a heck of a time getting him to try broccoli.)
I hope he loves it. I do.
Posted by: jessie at December 1, 2006 4:04 AM
I love it! I have seen a few Shedirs done for men lately and I'm definitely making one for my husband....although we would gladly accept Travis' charity!!
Posted by: Allyson at December 1, 2006 7:47 AM
I am so totally in agreement with Jared - how about we all change our names to charity, and pray that you'll knit one for us too :-) only joking (except about the wanting one of those part) it is a great hat! and it looks really good on Travis.
my guy hates things that are "new" - it seems to take awhile for him to wear it, because he never wants to 'get it dirty'. it always makes me laugh.
Posted by: Teyani at December 1, 2006 7:51 AM
I hope Travis gets the memo that that is one great-looking hat! And Travis isn't too shabby either! All I can say is, if he doesn't like it, I'm charity. (hee-hee)
Posted by: Wanda at December 1, 2006 1:04 PM
This hat looks so great! I think we must have all seen it on brooklyn tweed at the same time - you got yours knitted up a lot quicker than me, though! I bet he'll find it's very warm.
Posted by: Zarah at December 1, 2006 1:22 PM
It looks great . . . and windproof!
Posted by: Theresa at December 1, 2006 1:37 PM
It's a gorgeous hat! Maybe he'll reconsider after reading your post and wear it. Also, 12 degrees?!?!? And I was complaining because it's going to be in the 40s tomorrow.
Posted by: diana at December 1, 2006 1:46 PM
It's a great hat, and he looks great in it. I hope he comes around and tries it. I bet it will be windproof. How could it not be more windproof than a machine knit hat?
Posted by: Brenda at December 1, 2006 4:30 PM
I think it came out excellent. Men can be so unappreciative. But Travis' hat even got a "Pretty cool" out of my husband - which is as big a thumbs up as he'll give to most knitting projects (except when he's trying to patronize me and my projects)!
Posted by: Cara at December 3, 2006 10:10 AM
I love the hat, and Travis is being very silly if he doesnt wear it. It really suits him, and hasnt he heard about how sheep never get cold outside, well neither will his head if and when he decides to wear the hat.
Posted by: Sue at December 3, 2006 7:02 PM
The texture on that hat is AMAZING. And Travis looks great in it. Tell him to wear it, man!
Posted by: Becky at December 4, 2006 8:36 AM
