Second Cast On's The Charm

It never fails. No matter how diligently or how much I swatch for a new hat, the first attempt is always too big. Usually works out on the second try though. | withwool.com

It never fails. No matter how diligently or how much I swatch for a new hat, the first time attempt is always too big. Even when I throw in the 10 - 20% amount of negative ease that I like in my hats, too big. I added an extra repeat to the Regina Hat and knit an inch of ribbing before trying it on. Here’s the ribbing with a copy of Yarnitecture for scale. Way too big.

It never fails. No matter how diligently or how much I swatch for a new hat, the first attempt is always too big. Usually works out on the second try though. | withwool.com

I put the hat out of sight until I felt like ripping out and starting all over again. That turned out to be a few days before I needed some simple knitting for a day trip. Casting on 100+ stitches at home sounded a lot better than frogging and casting on 100+ stitches on a bumpy road. So I grudgingly got to work. 

It never fails. No matter how diligently or how much I swatch for a new hat, the first attempt is always too big. Usually works out on the second try though. | withwool.com
It never fails. No matter how diligently or how much I swatch for a new hat, the first attempt is always too big. Usually works out on the second try though. | withwool.com
It never fails. No matter how diligently or how much I swatch for a new hat, the first attempt is always too big. Usually works out on the second try though. | withwool.com

Here’s a tip that’s saved me a lot of frustration over the years. Whenever I have to cast on a large number of stitches, say more than 80, I use stitch markers. It’s easy to count to 20, place a marker, and start another group of 20 stitches, than count more than 100+ stitches at once. The number of stitches in a repeat is a nice place to drop a marker too. Those markers mean that interruptions aren’t as big a deal. Also, you don’t have to question if that was the 82nd stitch or the 83rd before giving up and starting from 0 just to be sure. This trick is just one of the reasons I have so many markers.  

I got a few rounds on the needles and packed it into my purse with the pattern and my usual notions. Travel knitting ready and waiting to go. 

It never fails. No matter how diligently or how much I swatch for a new hat, the first attempt is always too big. | withwool.com

Ended up with a nice chunk of time in the car and another inch of 1x1 rib. The hat actually seems to fit this time! Thankfully, the second time is usually the charm. I didn’t spend the entire time looking at my hands which is why I keep my travel knitting simple. I want to enjoy the sights and the adventure, not be stuck looking at my knitting counting increases. Ended up seeing a lot of beautiful landscapes, incredible views, and chubby marmots at Rocky Mountain National Park.  

It never fails. No matter how diligently or how much I swatch for a new hat, the first attempt is always too big. | withwool.com
It never fails. No matter how diligently or how much I swatch for a new hat, the first attempt is always too big. | withwool.com
It never fails. No matter how diligently or how much I swatch for a new hat, the first attempt is always too big. | withwool.com
It never fails. No matter how diligently or how much I swatch for a new hat, the first attempt is always too big. | withwool.com

Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park

Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park | withwool.com

The Bearded One and I went on adventure to Rocky Mountain National Park over the weekend. We got a late start to the day but still had time to stop in Estes Park for caramel corn and a visit to The Stitchin’ Den. The weather was absolutely perfect for driving the Trail Ridge Road and making frequent stops to enjoy the view. I probably could have finished knitting the pair of socks I brought with me, but the mountains and sky ruled the day. We even got lucky enough to see a herd of elk. 

P.S. Caramel corn is the perfect snack to munch on a mountain top.

Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park | withwool.com
Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park | withwool.com
Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park | withwool.com
Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park | withwool.com
Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park | withwool.com
Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park | withwool.com
Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park | withwool.com
Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park | withwool.com
Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park | withwool.com
Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park | withwool.com
Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park | withwool.com