A tubular cast-on in the round gives you a stretchy edge. It is a great cast-on for socks and hats. I decided I would start my hat with a good, stretchy cast-on. What I forgot was that you only cast-on half the stitches you need. Needless to say, I found myself ripping this cast-on out twice! Geesh!
The first time was because I cast-on twice the stitches I should have, the second time was because my math was wrong and the hat was too big (I really dislike math). Once I figured out that I needed 140 stitches for a 24″ hat, I cast-on 70 stitches with a waste yarn on three size #3 DPN. I chose a pretty pink yarn as my waste yarn and my husband was quite concerned he was going to have a pink hat, which did not match his coat! I assured him, it would not be pink.
I knit about 4 or 5 rows of the pink and then added the Madelinetosh El Grecco and knit 3 more rounds. Then it was time to create stretch for the edge of the hat. A Tubular cast-on folds your stitches over and picks up the first line of purl bumps, doubling the amount of stitches and increasing the circumference. This type of cast-on makes the stitches look like they are endless — no end or beginning. So, if I mess up my decrease row and make the hat a little taller than expected, my husband can fold up the edge of the hat and it will still look finished and nice. I have always loved the hat “Mickey” wore in Rocky.
Here is what it looks like to pick up the purl bumps … see how I picked up the purl bump from the first row? It is a good idea to use a contrasting color so that you pick up the correct purl bump (I have learned that lesson the hard way).
Then you put the stitch up on the working needle. I was doing a K2P2 ribbing. I started the row with 2 knit stitches, picked up two purl bumps from the first row — then purled those stitches. I went around the whole row, *knitting 2 stitches, picking up 2 purl bumps — and purling them*. This took patience. When I was done with the row I had 140 stitches and a beautiful edge with the pink yarn still attached.
Next, I cut the pink stitches away from the El Grecco. Some people like to work a few rows of the working yarn before cutting away the waste, but I like to cut the waste off right away and get myself on round needles. Then work the K2P2 for about 2″. Next, is Stockinette stitch — all knitting! My goal is to get to about 5.5″ including the K2P2 edge and then I will start the decrease rounds. Wish me luck!
The Madelinetosh wool is amazing. I am working on Skacel needles — I think they are Addi Turbo. The nickel plate is so smooth and the wool is nice and squishy. Although I had a bit of a rough start, I am cruising through the body of the hat … who knows how the decreasing will go? But I know my sizing has to be right because my husband is wearing that little pink band around his head right now — he is such a good sport!
