Odessa

Well, since I flashed my Odessa at you last time, I figure I better spill the entire bag of Odessa beans. I also heard a rumor that the person it's for doesn't see my blog often, so I don't have to worry about present surprise spoilage. Plus, to be honest, this was such a fun and interesting knit that I really am bursting to share. (I already influenced/convinced one other knitter to start hers. But really, it wasn't hard: she'd been thinking about making one for a while and we were at a craft store. Eazy-peazy.)


The really exciting thing about Odessa is that it has BEADS! (Can you stand the excitement?) I was worried that knitting with beads would be difficult, but, no, it was a snap. The fabulous Grumperina, who designed the hat and maintains a lovely and interesting blog, created a very clever and clear pattern, and she gives more info about knitting with beads here. As you can see in the picture above, you string the beads onto the yarn before you start knitting, and then you just slide the beads along as you knit, manipulating them so that they are sitting on the yarn as you pull a stitch through in the places where you want to add a bead.


The other very exiting part of this project is that I used the "magic loop" method for knitting in the round. You see, I don't own circulars in the correct size (16 inch) because my fabulous Options Needle Set doesn't go below 24 inch circulars. Since the whole point of the Options Needle Set is to avoid buying more needles every time I start a new project, I figured it was about time to learn the magic loop method so that I can use larger needles even when the circumference of what I am making is small. And, again, it was easy! I googled it, and found some very helpful information here about how to magic loop my way to success....

Well, actually I'll let you tell me if you think my endeavors were successful. What do you think?


(I just love the way this thing swirls around to its apex, but it felt like it took a bazillion tries to get a good picture of the top of my own head.)


I'm afraid my gauge was a little smaller than the pattern called for, and it feels a bit tight on my head, but I didn't change it because its intended recipient has a much daintier noggin than my own. The little hat is currently on its way north, and, according to the post office employee, it will arrive in time for a special someone to open it up on Christmas. I hope she likes it.