Hats off to KDO

Wow, it’s already September!  That means Knitters’ Day Out is almost here again.  One week from today, I’ll be taking a class from Candace Eisner Strick called Strick-ly socks.  Here’s the description:

Learn Candace’s revolutionary and simple new method. The toes and heels are worked flat, yet there are no seams. Sounds impossible? Yes, but so easy you will be amazed. Beginners and sock-veterans alike will be enthralled. And you can convert any existing sock pattern to this simple method. Once you have learned the incredible Strick-ly Socks toe, go one step further to customize your sock with an array of gusset and heel options to fit any foot ever invented! End your sock with wonderful stretchy bind off for K1, P1 rib, even if you like to use k2, p2 rib.

Supplies: Light colored SMOOTH wool yarn of dk weight or heavier and appropriately sized set of 4 double pointed needles. (Note: If you know how to do 2 circulars, or 40” circular for magic loop you may use this method, but it will not be taught in class), a few yards of smooth cotton yarn 

Homework:  With light colored, smooth wool yarn of dk weight or heavier, cast on 30 sts and work in K2, P2 ribbing for about 1 inch. NOTE: this homework is worked flat. Leave sts on needles with the yarn attached.

As usual, the KDO registration fee includes bringing a handknit hat to donate to Caps for Kids.  There is always a contest for best hat, which I’ve never entered.  But last year, they started a new category: best hat made using a technique learned in a KDO class.  I decided to dust off my Estonian patent stitch technique, which I learned from Merike Saarniit at KDO 2009.  So I’ve started this:I didn’t have anything in stash that was quite right for this (mostly because my worsted weight yarn isn’t superwash, and I hold that charity hats should be machine washable), so I acquired (thanks, Kris!) some Knit Picks Swish in colors Squirrel Heather and Lava Heather.  I’m in love with these colors. This patent stitch technique makes a double thick fabric that is super squishy and totally reversible.  Mmmmmm….

Hope you’re getting some extra knitting time in this weekend.  (It doesn’t happen to be a long weekend for those of us who work in the private higher ed sector, but I’m being greedy and taking more than my usual knitting time today – I just started this hat last night!)