On the flight home from holidays in Vancouver, I cast on for Thorpe with a scrap ball of Cascade 220 leftover from Husband Sweater #2. I had weighed it before I left so I knew I would be tight on yardage, but I decided to give it a whirl anyway. By the time I changed planes in Houston with only 3 rows left on the second ear flap, I ran out of yarn. I wove in the ends on the rest of the hat, spit spliced the tiny bits together and managed to eke out enough to bind off half of the last row.
When I got home I scoured through the stash, but found no more of the yarn. Not even a scrap. My plan had been to use a contrasting yarn for the crochet edging anyway, so I bound off the last row with my favourite Cascade 220 colour, 9404. It blends in seamlessly with the rest of the edging, so I needn't have bother tearing my office apart looking for a 12 inch snippet of the charcoal.
Because I was running so tight on yardage, I skimped a little on my modifications. I was using a worsted weight instead of the chunkier weight suggested by the pattern, so I worked a few extra increase rounds but not as many as I should have. The result is a tight-ish toque that looks great straight on, but sort of like a helmet from the side. Function before fashion though, right? At least my ears will be warm. (And next time I'll make it bigger.)
I think it really suits you! With the bitter winter we've been having, earflaps are definitely a plus.
Posted by: Kirsten | January 22, 2009 at 10:12
oooh, good call on the border - it turns a perfectly functional hat into a super cute and special hat!
Posted by: laurel ann | January 22, 2009 at 10:37
it turned out great! i love the gray and red combo. gred, if you will.
i just cast on for thorpe with some handspun yarn that was given to me as a gift! my gauge is also off, so i'll be doing extra increases as well :)
Posted by: mai | January 22, 2009 at 10:42
Cute scarf! Did you make it?
Posted by: Cabbage | January 22, 2009 at 12:16
Ugh, it's the worst trying to scavage for a couple extra yards of yarn. Nice save, though! I think it looks great even from the side :)
Posted by: Crystal | January 22, 2009 at 12:29
That's my favorite Cascade 220 color as well! It looks lovely. :-)
Posted by: Naomi | January 22, 2009 at 12:58
I think the red contrast looks great on the hat and the hat looks good on you. :)
Posted by: Walden | January 22, 2009 at 13:33
I know I told you this already, but it's really cute, even if a bit small.
Posted by: Danielle | January 22, 2009 at 13:36
I think it's adorable. And now that I know how to crochet (thanks to Maryse) I can make one, too!
Posted by: Carole | January 22, 2009 at 13:56
Looks great! I'm buying a needle to make it today. :)
Posted by: Nadia Lewis | January 22, 2009 at 14:42
I agree with Kirsten!
Posted by: Manise | January 22, 2009 at 17:26
Sometimes the oops turns out to be the best part.
I love it!
Posted by: Oh2122 | January 22, 2009 at 18:21
Ooh, I love the red trim - really cute. And I'm a big fan of combining knit and crochet, especially on edging. Such a cute hat :)
Posted by: finnyknits | January 22, 2009 at 19:54
9404 will never fail you!!!
Posted by: Heather | January 22, 2009 at 22:44
I think it looks great on you. And perfect on a cold day.
Posted by: Bodil | January 23, 2009 at 04:59
hi, just 2 words to let you know that yesterday i have recived my cozy wristlet...very cute! as i think you do not post to italy everyday...i wish you remember me ! thanks a lot
katia
Posted by: katia | January 23, 2009 at 10:30
very cute, caro!
Posted by: gleek | January 23, 2009 at 17:21
It looks great on you!
Posted by: tiennie | January 23, 2009 at 19:00
Beautiful! And the other hat is great too! Nice cable.. But the thorpe is my favorite. Great colour combination.
Posted by: lisette | January 27, 2009 at 03:09
Love it!
Posted by: Ellen | January 27, 2009 at 17:24
The rate we're going here in YVR, we'll be needing hats like that soon.
Posted by: Li_B | January 28, 2009 at 01:02
Cute! Perfect use for leftover yarn.
Posted by: Nell | February 01, 2009 at 16:43