Thursday, January 25, 2007

Lorna's January Challenge


Our local knitting guild is fortunate to have Lorna Miser as a member. Yes, that Lorna. :) She is a very talented lady, and generously shares her creativity with us. We are so lucky!! We have been "focus groups" when she develops new classes and "previewers" for her new designs. Last year, she created a "square of the month" program for the guild: Each month she designed a 7" square incorporating a different knitting skill, and encouraged us to spread our wings while making squares for our afghan charities.


This year, she is offering "Lorna's Challenge of the Month." She finds a free pattern on the Web that uses a different skill, obtains the designer's permission to use it, then challenges guild members to take the pattern and "make it our way" — or at least learn a new technique. The January challenge is the "Fake Isle Hat" by Amy King on MagKnits.


Here is my version -- not very different, but I did challenge myself to learn a new method of knitting with two yarns in one hand. This hat is Noro Silk Garden 205 with a Galway wool for the contrast. The original pattern calls for a 3x1 ribbing, which I did not care for, so I ripped back and put in a 2x2 ribbing, which I think holds the hat better. Then, of course, I added a pom-pon, because , well, I really like hats with pom-pons. :)


While many of the guild members are creating these hats, and some have posted on the guild member site, at least one other of our guild members has posted her completed hat on the open Web: check out our Member At Sea's blog to see how far-flung Lorna's challenge has become!


At our February guild meeting, everyone will bring their hats, photos will be taken, and mutual admiration will ensue. After that, Lorna will give us the challenge for next month! Thanks, Lorna! This is really fun! :)

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