The Cottage Smallholder

Not sure if this will come out but here is the hat so far............

Ah thanks Jan, it is better from a distance

I have woven in all the ends now and the back isn't too bad but it makes it kind of rigid around the patterned bit - but that can't be helped.

I'm fairly sure there is a trick to stop the stitches slanting when you do the colour change but I wasn't aware of it when I started this. I just have a vague memory of seeing it on a You Tube tutorial so will have to take time to look it up before I embark on another one.

I have the hat on a blocking pad with a damp towel on top of it to see if it evens out the stitches but I'm not going to get too upset if it doesn't - I'm sure little Erin will like it and wont be examining it too closely

I always looked at charts with horror in the past but throwing yourself in at the deep end and making a few mistakes along the way doe wonders for your confidence - wish I felt the same about my jams. I still worry all the time it wont set or will taste awful.

By the way the Rhubarb and vanilla was a huge hit in the family so now going to try the rhubarb and orange yum yum