Monday, December 28, 2009

Fugue state

Fugue tam: pattern by Kate Davies

If I ignore certain minor irritations, like the Curmudgeon claiming he didn't know we were exchanging Christmas presents this year and therefore not getting me anything (luckily my girl Peeper-Lou was keeping up with my Amazon wish list like it was her job and saved the day, if you count telling him to tell me that he was going to buy me an electric blanket as a last ditch desperado move as saving the day), I'm basically living a charmed life. More proof of this came last month when my one true love Kate Davies offered me the chance to test knit an up and coming pattern that is going to take the world by storm: F U G U E
Fugue tam: pattern by Kate Davies

The fact that doing this project involved receiving a parcel in mail from the lovely and generous Lilith of Old Maiden Aunt Yarns made the whole endeavor terribly exciting. Special Delivery: the softness, most otherworldly yarn ever!
Fugue tam: pattern by Kate Davies

The Specs:
Pattern: F U G U E (this is the official spelling now for all KD patterns, btw) by Kate Davies, forthcoming. Kate's Ravelled version is here.
Yarn: Bowmont Braf by Old Maiden Aunt Yarns, two colors Hebridean and Blackbird.
Needles: size 3 & 4, 16 ins.
Modifications: None whatsoever

Fugue tam: pattern by Kate Davies

Honestly, this yarn is something special. It is incredibly soft but creates a dense fabric that is completely warm. The yarn blooms beautifully during blocking--I really recommend giving it a try, it's 100% unique.

Like all worthwhile patterns, this one affords the knitter the chance to learn a new technique. For me it was the concept of the knitted braid, one that I am now dying to put on every single thing I ever knit form here on out. It's kind of like mastering the subjunctive, once you learn how to use it correctly, you want to use it all the time. Except it's knitting...


Oh, and for the record? WE ARE ALWAYS EXCHANGING PRESENTS. GOT IT?

30 comments:

Rose said...

Holy cow, he's got some serious making up to do! My husband was a little weak this year too for some reason. Hmmm. Love the colors and particularly the braid on that hat.

lauren said...

god damn that is a cute hat! the braid is the perfect little touch, and a technique I've been dying to learn.

knithound brooklyn said...

Boyoboy, he's gonna pay for that blunder! Nice hat!

Anonymous said...

That is a dynamite hat! If I were not a non-hat-wearer I would make one for myself. Maybe someone I know needs one...

For the record, how could The Curmudgeon NOT know you were exchanging gifts? What planet does he live on? Hurrah for Peeper-Lou!

Lori said...

Oooh! I saw Kate's post with this hat and now I'm so jealous you got to test knit this! (I don't know you at all and now feel a little weird about that but I'm letting it stand) I love your hat and can't wait for the pattern release.

Also: Hope he's got big plans to make up for that blunder!

Also the 2nd: what is with the "are we exchanging gifts this year"? I don't get that. My sister-in-law does that all the time. Yes. The answer should always be "Yes".

Amy said...

You are too funny.

Clearly, he owes you more of that yarn!

(And a vacation in which to knit it. ;-)

Heather said...

I have read of this bowmont braf before- my Christmas cash is burning a hole in my pocket and this might be the cure. Unless I fall into a fugue and forget I ever read this post...

Lovely hat!

Anonymous said...

He didn't think you were exchanging presents? What is wrong with that child?!

And lovely hat, as always. :)

Caffeine Girl said...

Men can be incredibly dense on the gift front. I just tell Farm Boy what to get me!

I agree -- that hat is going to take the knitting world by storm. I'm afraid of the braid -- but then I used to be afraid of Kitchner, too!

grumperina said...

100% unique yarn... very interesting indeed :). The hat is gorgeous!

Elinor said...

You are hilarious! Like mastering the subjunctive? What a perfect description. Il faut que je tricote ce chapeau. Wait, I need a better verb - one that OBVIOUSLY changes in the subjunctive so you can tell that I didn't just get lucky... Je cherche toujours un modèle qui soit si beau et si rapide à réaliser! Yep, that's better.

Jessica said...

That is really cute! Nice work!

Also, hubby better get it together! ;)

Danielle said...

Ha. Elinor beat me to the subjunctive punchline. Nice hat, babe.

Unknown said...

Knitted braids are addictive. And the hat is so cool!

nicole said...

Speaking of subjonctif, il est fort probable que tu reçoives beaucoup de cadeaux l'année prochaine! Quel nigaud!!!

Gorgeous hat. I want one NOW.

Mintyfresh said...

love that hat pattern. it's so awesome!

and go kiddo for keeping mom in mind :)

Sereknitty said...

What is it with the men in our lives this year?? I've got one same!

The hat is fabulous! And the colours that you used put it right out of the park. Nice Job!

Anonymous said...

My husband bought me a set of three mustards?@#%& So you are in good company. It makes me feel less guilty about the cost of my stash.
Jude

Knittymuggins said...

Simply adorable!

knittymuggins

marnie said...

Pretty Hat! My son didn't do gifts either, he said he "couldn't think of anything" for Christmas and that my birthday "wasn't an important one". jerkling! Oh well, just another excuse to indulge yourself I say.

Kym said...

Great, great hat. And so darn cute on you! Once, when we were first married (long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away) my husband got me a stylus cleaner (for that old-fashioned kind of stereo -- with a stylus) for my birthday. I knew I was doomed. I shop for myself now.

Alison said...

Love it! And I think I definitely need to use the braid more in my knitting future :-)

Chelsea said...

Adore the hat, the braid is a nice detail.

Rachel said...

gorgeous hat design! Nicely knitted :) I'm sure it will take the world by storm

woolyjooly said...

mmmmmm. . . chocolately brown tweed with icy blue. Great color combo; the braid is the perfect touch. I love this hat. It looks great on you!

Lindsay said...

That is such a gorgeous, intricate hat. Can't wait to give it a try in the future.

Brendaknits said...

That is a beautiful hat. I have been wanting to learn 'braid' - the hat will be the perfect opportunity. Off now to look up - subjunctive.

Felix said...

Your hat is awesome; I too am enticed by its delicious, braided goodness and by the lure of knitting with mythical Bowmont Braf...

I hope your man reads this blog!

Anonymous said...

We're not big present-exchangers in this household, but we at least exchange something small at every change-of-seasons (which are what we celebrate)!

That hat is so, so awesome. I, too, have fallen madly in love with the knitted braid, which you may have noticed, given that I'm sticking it on everything I knit lately :)

pufi said...

Im sooo in love with this hat :)