Quietly freaking out backstage

This coming monday we head to Estonia for two nights, to finalise the bank things and hopefully visit a (textile) museum to make the most of the travel costs. I've heard so many good things about Tallinn and I've no doubt it'll take the edge of travel and business anxiety.

Once this is done, the backend business changes will have all fallen into place and I can start the intense process of changing all the prices and currencies. I've already started making subtle little changes to this website - the company name and VAT number have been added, for instance. 

I've got to commend the Estonian system and my new accountants (LeapIn) for making it all so smooth and painless. I keep expecting something to hiccup but it doesn't. It's such a progressive digital system, quite an eye opener compared to what I know of the UK and Italian systems.

Nonetheless, it's a massive change and I'm anxious. I'm joining the numbers of SMEs and micro, nay, nano businesses that are leaving UK shores. My days of paying tax to the UK are numbered and it's both exciting and sad. I doubt I would have done all this if brexit wasn't a thing but it is and as much as we're at risk on the domestic front from the whole shit show, I've begrudgingly grateful for the nudge to make this change. The business will be better off, there's no doubt about that.

I keep bouncing between emotions and the only thing that's keeping me stable is the clear path ahead to do all the things that need doing. Applying for residency in Italy will not be smooth, and I'm expecting to come unstuck some time in October.  In the meantime, I'm coping (just).

Meanwhile, I'm working away on Lateralis, which I expect to be published in October some time. This collection hasn't been as smooth as Elemental in its development but I suspect that that's as much to do with everything else I'm trying to juggle than anything else.

It has though taken a positive turn these last few weeks. I've been chatting with a very talented indie dyer who wanted to sponsor the collection. I'm not normally keen to take yarn from indies but we've agreed on a collaboration that benefits us both in direct and indirect ways. One of the things that's been missing from the Lateralis collection is colour cohesion. And now it will have it. I won't reveal just yet who the dyer is as they've their own schedule to work too, but be assured you will spammed with the details once we're ready to share! 

The next few weeks will be critical and you'll likely see me disappear from social media even more than usual. It's all fine and good for now, I just need a little breathing space. And possibly numerous massages and umpteen bottles of wine.

 See you on the other side!

Pre-business change sale

That's a pretty self-explanatory title!

Finishing up the Lateralis collection before photoshoot and layout, and making all the big changes to the business are consuming every part of me. We fly to Estonia 13th to 15th August to finalise the very last few things and then it's all systems go on the business changes front.

From 16th August, Kat and I will be making the necessary changes, and that includes the changes in price and currency as well as adding VAT numbers and so on. Knowing that's just around the corner I figured I'd given everyone a chance to buy ePatterns and eBooks at current prices, with a sweetener thrown in.

This offer went exclusive to The Woolly Hat Society a week ago, and now I'm able to share it here - feel free to spread this far and wide!

Here's a reminder of those price and currency changes that will come into effect from August 16th:

ePatterns
€5.50 : $7 : £4.75 (currently €5.50 : $6 : £3.75)

eBooks
<4 patterns: €12 : $14 : £11
<10 patterns: €14 : $17 : £13
10 patterns: €16 : $20 : £14
>10 patterns: €20 : $24 : £18 

oh hey there, BibBob!

All of the free patterns and tutorials on this website are supported by my amazing Patreons! If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be able to continue to produce or host freebies. We'd love to have you join us and in return, you get exclusive behind-the-scenes material, member-only discounts and early access to new free content. Membership starts at $1 per month. If you'd like to, you can say thanks for the freebie via the Tip Jar.

Description

BibBob is a classic beanie. The entire beanie is worked in garter stitch. It’s worked flat and seamed for an invisible finish, then topped with a yarn pompom.

Availability

My Patreon supporters and members of The Woolly Hat Society get exclusive early access to new free patterns and tutorials. Once the exclusive period is over it’s published here on the blog.

Support

If you have a question about this pattern, pop it in a comment below. Sorry, but I’m unable to help with my free patterns or tutorials via email or private messages.

Social Media

Share your hand-knit Hats online with these hashtags!

#WoollyWormhead

#WWBibBobHat

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Yarn
100g/100yd/91m
chunky weight, single ply or plied yarn.

Needles & Notions
Pair 5.5mm/UK5/US9 straight needles or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker as necessary
Tapestry needle

Sample details
Malabrigo Chunky [100yd/91m per 100g; 100% Merino]

Shown in size 22in/56cm on model with 21in/53.25cm circumference head
Gauge
14sts x 28rows to 4in/10cm on 5.5mm needles over Garter St.

Sizes
To fit size: 18 [20, 22] in/ 45.75 [50.75, 56] cm
Finished size: 15.5 [17.25, 18.75] in/ 39.5 [43.75, 47.75] cm
Not sure which size to make? Check my handy size and measuring guide!

Skills required
Garter stitch

Mattress Stitch for Garter Stitch

Crochet Cast-on

Increases & Decreases

Pompoms

Pattern notes

This pattern is deceptively simple and is ideal for beginner knitters keen to learn new techniques – decreasing, crochet cast-on and mattress stitch for garter stitch are featured techniques. The Hat is worked flat and seamed for an invisible finish.

How to

Using Crochet Provisional Cast-on method as a permanent cast on, cast on 54 [60, 66] sts.

Body

Row 1 (RS): Knit all the stitches

Row 2 (WS): Knit all the stitches

Repeat these 2 rows until work measures 3.5 [4.25, 5] in/9 [10.75, 12.75] cm from the cast on edge, ending after a Row 2 (WS), with the garter stitch relaxed.

Crown

18in size start at Row 5, 20in size start at Row 3, 22in size start at Row 1.

Row 1: *K9, k2tog; rpt from * to end [60 sts]

Row 2 & all WS rows: Knit all the stitches

Row 3: *K8, k2tog; rpt from * to end [54 sts]

Row 5: *K7, k2tog; rpt from * to end [48 sts]

Row 7: *K6, k2tog; rpt from * to end [42 sts]

Row 9: *K5, k2tog; rpt from * to end [36 sts]

Row 11: *K4, k2tog; rpt from * to end [30 sts]

Row 13: *K3, k2tog; rpt from * to end [24 sts]

Row 15: *K2, k2tog; rpt from * to end [18 sts]

Row 17: *K1, k2tog; rpt from * to end [12 sts]

Row 19: *k2tog; rpt from * to end [6 sts]

Break yarn and draw through remaining 6sts, tighten to close.

PomPom

Cut 2 circular pieces measuring 2.5in/6.25cm diameter from thin cardboard. The inner circle should be approximately 1.25in/3.25cm. Placing the two pieces of card together, wrap the yarn through the centre and around the outer circle, continuing in this manner until all the card is covered.

Continue wrapping the yarn until either the centre hole has closed or all the yarn has been used.

Carefully cut the yarn along the edge of the circle to reveal the covered card. Cut all of the yarn, then tie a knot between the two layers off card, effectively tying all the pieces of yarn together, before removing the card. Trim pompom before attaching securely to the Hat.

Finishing

Using the yarn tails, and using the mattress stitch method for garter stitch, close the back seam.

You may wish to either duplicate stitch or use the ends of the yarn to otherwise tidy up the bottom edge at the seam point.

Weave in all ends. A gentle wash and blocking is required to help the stitches settle and the crown lay flat. Attach pompom after blocking.

Absolute Slouch

All of the free patterns and tutorials on this website are supported by my amazing Patreons! If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be able to continue to produce or host freebies. We'd love to have you join us and in return, you get exclusive behind-the-scenes material, member-only discounts and early access to new free content. Membership starts at $1 per month. If you'd like to, you can say thanks for the freebie via the Tip Jar.

Description

The Absolute Slouch is a chunky slouchy beanie worked almost entirely in garter stitch. Columns of slipped stitch add visual visual contrast along the bottom edge. They are placed at even intervals around the beanie, alternating between longer and shorter columns. The brim of the Absolute Slouch is slightly smaller than the body, and the crown is scrunched.

Availability

My Patreon supporters and members of The Woolly Hat Society get exclusive early access to new free patterns and tutorials. Once the exclusive period is over it’s published here on the blog.

Support

If you have a question about this pattern, pop it in a comment below. Sorry, but I’m unable to help with my free patterns or tutorials via email or private messages.

Social Media

Share your hand-knit Hats online with these hashtags!

#WoollyWormhead

#WWAbsoluteSlouch

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Yarn
100g/149yd/136m chunky weight, single ply or plied yarn.

Needles & Notions
Pair 5mm/UK6/US8 straight needles or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker as necessary
Tapestry needle

Sample details
We Are Knitters Meriwool [149yd/136m per 100g; 100% Merino]

Shown in size 21.5in/54.5cm on model with 21in/53.25cm circumference head
Gauge
15sts x 30rows to 4in/10cm on 5mm needles over Garter St.

Sizes
To fit size: 19 [21.5, 23.5] in/ 48.25 [54.5, 59.75] cm
Finished size: 17 [19.25, 21.25] in/ 43.25 [49, 54] cm
Not sure which size to make? Check my handy size and measuring guide!

Skills required
Garter Stitch

Increases & decreases

Seaming garter stitch

Slipped stitches

Cable cast-on

Abbreviations

K: knit

P: purl

rpt: repeat

st(s): stitch(es)

S1: slip stitch purlwise with yarn at the back

kfb: knit into the front and back of the stitch

k2tog: knit next 2sts together

Pattern notes

This pattern is deceptively simple and is ideal for beginner knitters keen to learn new techniques – increasing, decreasing, slipped stitches and mattress stitch for garter stitch are featured techniques. The Hat is worked flat and seamed for an invisible finish.

How to

Using Cable cast-on method cast on 64 [72, 80] sts.

Brim

Row 1 (RS): Knit all the stitches

Row 2 (WS): *K2, S1, K1; rpt from * to end

Repeat these 2 rows until work measures 1 [1.25, 1.5] in/2.5 [3.25, 3.75] cm from the cast on edge, ending after a Row 2 (WS).

Inc Row (RS): *K4, kfb, K3; rpt from * to end [72, 81, 90 sts]

Body

Row 3: *K7, S1, K1; rpt from * to end

Rnd 4: Knit all the stitches

Repeat these 2 rows until work measures 3 [3.75, 4.5] in/7.5 [9.5, 11.5] cm from the cast on edge, ending after a Row 4.

Row 5: Knit all the stitches

Repeat this row until work measures 7 [8, 9] in/17.75 [20.25, 22.75] cm from the cast on edge, ending after a WS row.

Crown

Row 1: K 0 [1, 0], *k2tog; rpt from * to end [36, 41, 45 sts]

Row 2: Knit all the stitches

Row 3: K 0 [1, 1], *k2tog; rpt from * to end [18, 21, 23 sts]

Row 4: Knit all the stitches

Row 5: K 0 [1, 1], *k2tog; rpt from * to end [9, 11, 12 sts]

Break yarn and draw through remaining 9 [11, 12] sts, tighten to close.

Finishing

Using the yarn tails, and using the mattress stitch method for garter stitch, close the back seam.

You may wish to either duplicate stitch or use the ends of the yarn to otherwise tidy up the bottom edge at the seam point.

Weave in all ends. A gentle wash and blocking is required to help the stitches settle.

Absolute Slouch is another one of the designs that I'd put together for the Absolute range, which I decided to shelf before it got started. And rather than let these designs go to waste in a folder on my PC, I figured I'd release them as free patterns.

These designs were designed for beginner knitters & whilst they're not as in-depth as absolute beginner patterns possibly need (this was one of the main reasons for shelving the project - this type of pattern writing is pretty time consuming & quite a shift from my usual style) they are still simple enough for confident beginners to try.

​​Free patterns are exclusive to members of The Woolly Hat Society for a month, before being published here for all to access.

Your support was brilliant!

The ANPI fundraiser from a few posts back finished at midnight CET saturday evening, and the total sat at €1330. That amount has now been transferred to the local branch, in Santarcangelo.

As I said before, ANPI are a registered charity in Italy. And they are more than just an ant-fascist organisation.

I learnt recently that they help support legal cases against hate speech and prejudice. They are literally doing all they can to fight hate, prejudice and the consequences of these actions. They are promoting peace and collaboration across a wide spectrum. And they need all the support they can get.

I've spoken with members of the local branch since the total was announced and to say they're bowled over would be an understatement. Your support will help victims of hate crime, help promote equality, cooperation and collaboration, and provide much needed support to marginalised groups.

Thank you.

I'm thinking about further ways I can help, perhaps auctioning some of my samples, but I need to get to grips with the new business system and find out how charity donations work within that. Once I've got it straightened out, I'll see what I can do.