how many bobbles does a bobble hat need?

well, I was totally DONE with making scarves so it was suggested that I make myself a bobble hat for my next project... my mind being what it is didnt think plain hat with bobble on top no, no, no! me thinked it an ideal opportunity to make a very silly sort of hat utilizing the fact that I learnt to do bobble stitch :D

so I am proud to present my very bobbly bobble hat!

its not perfect... there are mistakes in it as I had to 'unknit' a bit and think I must have got a few stitches twisted but I'm happy with it as a first attempt and thats all that matters to me :D
however... its now warm enough outside for skimpy tops, shorts and sandals... and I have no travel plans for going anywhere cold enough to take my new hat!! so it shall have to sit, patiently waiting for a chilly day when its needed... I can wait... I 'm happier in the sunshine anyway.

For anyone who's interested in making a bobbly bobble hat - this is the pattern, I sorta made up the decreasing bit up as I went along following a few basics my mum told me

Using 4mm needles, cast on 100 stitches - this makes a hat to fit approx 22" round

Row 1 knit
Row 2 purl
Row 3 k7, *MB , k9; repeat from * to last 8 stitches MB, k7
*MB (Make Bobble) - knit into front, back and front of next stitch, turn and knit 3, turn and purl 3, turn and knit 3, turn and slip1, k 2 together, pass slipped stitch over = bobble completed
Row 4 -6 stocking stitch (purl 1 row, knit 1 row)
Row 7 k2 *MB, k9, repeat from * to last 3 stitches MB, k2
Row 8 - 10 stocking stitch (purl 1 row, knit 1 row)
Repeat Rows 3-10 to Row 44
Row 45 purl
Row 46 k4, k2 together. Repeat to end of row
Row 47 purl
Row 48 k6 *MB K7 repeat from *to end of Row. *note that at some point in this row you may have to knit 8 not 7 to keep bobbles in correct position * it worked better for me to do this by eye.
Row 49 purl
Row 50 k3 k2 together. Repeat to end of row
Row 51 purl
Row 52 k2 *MB k5 repeat from * to end of Row.*note that at some point in this row you may have to knit 6 not 5 to keep bobbles in correct position * it worked better for me to do this by eye.
Row 53 purl
Row 54 k2, k2 together
Row 55 purl
Row 56 k1, k2 together
Row 57 purl
Row 58 k2 together (you should now have 13 stitches)
Row 59 purl
Row 60 k2 together
pass thread through remaining 7 stitches and pull tightly, knot and use remaining length of thread to sew up hat.
Make a pompom /bobble and secure to top of hat.

Wear and enjoy x

upgrade from UFO to WIP = more cushions!

Another UFO has been promoted to a Work In Progress :o)

I found this long forgotten project lurking sadly in the bottom of a basket when I had a clear out in my workroom a couple of months ago. I had originally bought it about 8 years ago, stitched about an inch of the centre and decided that I HATED stitching on pre printed canvas... and quit! Anyway... I reminded myself that this year IS going to be the year I turn my stash into completed projects so off to work I set. I admit to getting completely & utterly mind numbingly bored filling in all the white stitches!! and wasn't enthused at persuing its completion but got there in the end :o)

It still has to be turned into a cushion but that wont take me long, I just need to work out what sort of backing I want to put on it. Also it only measures up at present to 10" square so I'll probly add another border to it to make it big enough to at least be classed as a useable cushion!
(The needlepoint kit was from Candamar Designs)

I've also been doing a bit more knitting and have made even MORE can-can scarves & can happily state that I have had enough of scarves now and dont think I'l be making any more for a Looooong while LOL
I made another square from my book too, which proved quite a learning curve as there was an error in the pattern!!! so I had to work it out for myself in the end, but this taught me quite a lot in the process about un-knitting/fixing !

I know I have to 'block' it as its gone a bit zigzaggy on the edges but its another pattern I can tick off as 'done' and another square closer to my sample blanket being completed :o) I'm determined that its gonna be a blanket and not just a few MORE cushions! LOL
(the material in the background was a 'must have' purchase, that I havn't decided quite what to do with, ...yet)

Despite the weather in the UK turning into summery /shorts weather, I have started on my bobble hat at last :o) after my mum showed me how to do a bobble stitch I thought it would be fun to make a bobble covered, 'bobble hat', it was tricky learning how to make the little bobbles but have since found a great online tutorial for those of you not lucky enough to have a mum like mine to show you .
click this link to take you to Heidi Bears great bobble stitch tutorial
I'll add pics amd pattern when there's more to show than the first few rows.

I went to the Stitch n Craft show at the Bath & West showground this week and nearly wore my feet out browsing & shopping. I bought lots of goodies and despite trying to clear my stash and my never ending 'to-do' list, I bought lots of lovely new stuff to add to to it!! hahaha... I never learn! but I am hopeful that my new goodies will be turned into completed projects over the next few weeks and not just delegated into the U.F.O. bin just yet ;o)