a fine kettle of stitches

yadda, yadda, yadda – try again.

Once I had a new hat to put on my head I decided it was time to do something about the puckery top on my silver-grey beret (Ravelink).

After frogging back to the beginning of the decrease rounds, I tried a couple of things. The original decreases were 8 stitches every row. I tried 8 stitches every other row, but that wasn’t quite right either. I got good results in shaping with 6 stitches every row, but I still had those extremely crisp decrease lines that I just didn’t like anymore, so I finally went with a decrease of twelve stitches every other row.

One of the things that amazes me most with this yarn, Georga 100% wool, is the ways it blocks so beautifully. I had blocked the beret over a dinner plate the first time and it was gorgeous and smooth. You can see how uneven the centre portion is right after knitting, especially compared to the blocked bit.

I just laid it out flat this time around and it’s not quite as smooth as the previously blocked area, but there’s still a huge difference. Most of the unevenness has disappeared and a proper blocking would certainly take care of the rest.

I’m just too lazy for that.