20 February 2014

Fjord Beanie

Fjord Beanie

I was so tickled to see on Ravelry how many people were doing the very same thing as me during the Opening Ceremonies of the Event Which Must Not Be Named when speaking of fiber arts.

In reality, probably very few needleworkers were making thread snowflakes like me while watching, although thousands upon thousands were knitting or crocheting something. Many of these needleworkers apparently were doing the very same thing as me... taking notes on favorite hats, sweaters, scarves, jackets, mittens, fingerless mittens, etc., etc., etc., worn by the athletes during the Parade of Nations.

I can be a real oddball when it comes to design taste, so it was thrilling to see other needlecrafters spied some of the same gorgeous knitwear and crochetwear I did and longed for patterns/charts.

My absolute favorite is the Andorran sweaters. Being the Star Trek fan I am, of course, I, too, pictured a blue and white version. But also because I just love blue and white together! I'm thinking I might have to do a knitted cowl inspired by this sweater but in Andorian shades.

The Polish uniforms are pretty cool, too, with gray snowflakes (reminiscent of my Purple Mountain Snowflake) on their jackets and hats.

The Slovakian scarves and hats are a real hit.

Here's a chart for the Slovakian hat.

I like the Slovenian colors and hats. I intend to knit one of the these seed stitch hats, perhaps even in the same colors.

Here's another version of the Slovenian ski hat.

I might have to make one of the Swedish scarves, too, but in different colors. Blue and white. Or purple and white. Or black and white. Oh, the possibilities are endless!

I've charted my version of the Swedish scarf here.

A free pattern for the crochet Swedish hat is located here.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the colors of the Lithuanian uniforms!!!

A pattern for the Netherlands ski hat is here.

Here is a link to the free download for the USA knit ski hat pattern.

Not knitted or crocheted, but oh my, is this an outfit or what?!? Katie Uhlaender prepares for the skeleton.

And of course, there is the Norwegian beanie... simple single crochet. I chuckled at the number of knitters trying to determine what knitting stitch was used. Many Ravelers sought a pattern, and two are available free in foreign languages (one is located here), while one version is available for sale. My first thought was to make my own beanie for a Ravellenic medal. After reading an entire Ravelry thread devoted to this one hat, I thought I'd step up my Ravellenic medal difficulty level a bit and write a pattern, too. All in two days' time! (Although I spent a third day re-writing the pattern after accidentally overwriting the original with a blank document. AAAAARGH!!)

three degrees of alpine blue

The yarn I selected for this project was dyed by me last summer while Mrs. Micawber visited to ride the MS-150 with me. I had only 100 yards of each of the three gradations of my soft, winter blue, and I suspected the finished hat might take at least 150 yards. So I started at the top with the lightest shade, worked about a third of the way down and changed to the medium hue, then finished the last third of the project with the darkest color. I finished the hat off with undyed white instead of the red used in the official hats because, well, as I've said many times, I just love blue and white together!

This beanie is so versatile and may be worked in any color combination, worked in stripe, pinned, patched, beaded, embroidered or otherwise embellished. Use your imagination to make your hat yours!

Why Fjord??? In seventh grade, I had to write a 10-page report and give a 15-minute presentation on the country of Norway, way back before internet. I had to write to agencies in Norway to get photos and travel information, and the mail back then took WEEKS! The day before I was scheduled to give my presentation in front of the class, I still hadn't received anything from Norway. I'd been studying the history as much as I could in our small town library, mostly via encyclopedias. I had no visual aids for my presentation. So I made colorful yarn fjords on a piece of white poster board because that was the only idea I had. Of course, my travel brochures and magazines were waiting for me when I got home from school that day...

Check out Astri's interpretation of this pattern here!

You may do whatever you'd like with hats you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Fjord Beanie

Finished Size: 22 inches around, 11.5 inches tall
Materials: Approximately 150 yards worsted weight yarn in blue or desired color, small amount of white or desired color for contrast band, size H crochet hook
Gauge: 7 single crochet = 2 inches; 7 rows of single crochet = 2 inches
NOTE: This pattern is designed to stand taller on the head than the head. To make a shorter version, work fewer rounds to desired length. This pattern is worked tightly to provide a stiffer hat body. This pattern is worked in the round. Do not join at the end rounds unless instructed to do so. To make the hat more narrow, omit half of increases on Round 23 OR all of increases on Round 23 OR half of increases on Round 20 and all of increase on Round 23.

Fjord Beanie Instructions

With main color, make magic ring.

Round 1: 6 sc in ring; do not join. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around for a total of 12 sc.

Round 3: * 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc; repeat from * around 5 times for a total of 18 sc.

Rounds 4-8: 1 sc in each sc around, increasing 6 times evenly spaced but not directly above increases in the previous Round for a total of 24 sc, 30 sc, 36 sc, 42 sc and 48 sc respectively.

Rounds 9-10: 1 sc in each sc around.

Round 11: 1 sc in each sc around, increasing 6 times evenly spaced but not directly above increases in the previous Round for a total of 54 sc.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Rounds 12-23: Repeat Rounds 9-11 4 times for a total of 60 sc, 66 sc, 72 sc and 78 sc respectively.

Rounds 24-40: 1 sc in each sc around. At desired hat length, sl st in next sc; bind off.

Round 41: With contrast color, 1 sc in each sc around.

Round 42, Picot Edge: *1 sc in each of next 3 sc, ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook (picot made); repeat from * all the way around; sl st in next sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 42, Brim Edge: Sl st in next sc, ch 1, turn; 1 sc in each sc around; sl st in next sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 42, Thick Brim Edge: 1 sc over each Round 41 sc around; sl st in next sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Embellish with patches, pins, snowflakes or desired enhancement. Wear and stay warm!

Fjord Beanie

Fjord Beanie

Fjord Beanie

Fjord Beanie

Fjord Beanie

16 comments :

  1. Thanks for the pattern. I like the snowflake applique.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Charlotte! I think I like the snowflake better than the patches, too. I had to stew for a while to make a choice. :)

      Delete
  2. That is very well done as always under your sun

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Pat! I always giggle that you take the time to comment on my patterns, even though you certainly have no interest in crochet!

      Delete
  3. I think a beanie would be nice. I'll ask the Goatmother. On the other hand, Ella would probably just eat it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That would be a sight, Marigold. Maybe I should make one of grass. With a few peanuts as embellishment...

      Delete
  4. I am so making this! I am headed to my local yarn shop now. :-) If I scrounge around in some of my "bins" I believe I can find a couple of Norwegian flag appliques my mother brought home from Norway last year. Thank you SO much for writing the pattern.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't wait to see how yours comes out, Astri! I know you will put your own spin on it!

      Delete
  5. I must admit, I was eyeing those beanies too. Couldn't help but think about using Tunisian crochet for some of them. Seems Tunisian and single crochet work really well for close knit stitches. Looking at all the beanies has given me a few ideas for future patterns.

    MJ, A to Z Challenge Co-Host
    Writing Tips
    Effectively Human
    Lots of Crochet Stitches


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't wait to see what you come up with, M.J.! It has been suggested that the original beanies may be pjoning, or slip stitch crochet. I've looked at close-ups of the original hat, and I'm pretty sure it's single crochet, but like you, I think a different version would be fun. At some point, I may try a pjon beanie, just to see if I can get it to look like this...

      Delete
    2. And a helpful PS: I just found examples of the different stitches here, and Hat #4, which looks most like the original Norwegian hat, is single crochet. So I'm standing by my interpretation of the gorgeous Norwegian Olympic ski hat!

      Delete
  6. I like the snowflake version best! :) And it's great to see what you made of the yarn we dyed that day ... or that you dyed while I stumbled about in a waking coma.

    How fun to see all the knitting and crochet that showed up at the Ol(cough cough) Opening Ceremonies. Thanks for the great photo links.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I'm going to make another Sochi Snowflake this weekend, Sue, and apply it to the hat permanently. I've really fallen in love with it!

      Glad to help you relive all the beautiful needlework of the Olympics. (The Lizard just asked if we watch any of the sports or just look at what everyone's wearing. Ha ha ha!)

      Delete
    2. Ooops, I mean Ol (cough cough)... :)

      Delete
  7. Thanks for the link! I'm on my second hat for the NVO with the Norwegian flag! Your pattern is awesome! Hey, your very funny comment on my blog...gives me ideas. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wonder, Astri, if the idea is the same one you just gave me simply by saying you have an idea... I'll show mine on Tuesday; can't wait to see yours! I bet we do the very same thing!!!

      Delete


Dusty words lying under carpets,
seldom heard, well must you keep your secrets
locked inside, hidden deep from view?
You can talk to me... (Stevie Nicks)

All spam is promptly and cheerfully deleted without ever appearing in print.

If you are unable to leave a comment and need to contact me, please use the email address in the sidebar. Thank you!

Related Posts with Thumbnails