Friday 13 March 2015

Blackberry Beanie

It's taken a while to get this beanie finished for Eleanor. It's knit in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran and when I came to the end of the two 50g balls which the pattern said it took, Eleanor wanted more adding. I bought another ball and continued to knit until Eleanor decided it was big enough.

Now anyone who knows me will know that I hate sewing things up so it sat in my project bag for quite a while before I picked it up and got on with it. Once sewn up it looked ridiculous, it was far too big. I'm not actually keen on the beanie style anyway but it's what the young ones seem to want. There was no way I was leaving it as it was so I unpicked it, pulled it all out and started again, stopping at the point that the pattern dictates and it looks much better.

I caught Eleanor at the door as she came home from school yesterday and got her to model it so that I could take some photos. She's got a ponytail in her hair so it's made the hat stick out a little at the back, but you can get the idea of it.


Here it is laid flat.


Archie was pleased to see Eleanor home from school.


Eleanor chose the colour of the yarn to go with her winter coat.


Here is the Blackberry Beanie pattern in case you'd like to knit this yourself. It's a simple pattern and knits up quickly.




Time to get on with the hat I promised myself now. It won't be a beanie.

Don't forget, if you haven't already entered my giveaway, you've got until twelve noon on Friday the 20th of March 2015 to do so, just leave a comment on my Sewing Machine Basics Giveaway post.

42 comments:

  1. Try knitting it on four needles, saves sewing it up.

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    1. That's what I like about socks, no sewing up at the end. It wasn't too bad in the end, the thought of doing it was worse than the actual sewing up.

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  2. Iv'e just finished one blackberry beanie hat and have started another. from this pattern (courtesy of your blog) it's a great pattern. The finished articles are going into my Christmas/Birthday present box ( I already have recipients in mind) thanks for te pattern link
    Gill

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    1. That's a great idea. It's a good pattern, it knits up so quickly and it looks good. I'm sure you'll have some thrilled recipients.

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  3. Love the beanie and beautifully modelled by Eleanor xx

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    1. Eleanor was dashing to get in after school but she happily modelled for me.

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  4. love the hat. might have to make myself one. x

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    1. It's such an easy pattern and takes no time to knit up.

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  5. It looks good, you were right to make it smaller.

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    1. Definitely, it looked hideous being so big, much better now.

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  6. Archie's various expressions made me smile! Flighty xx

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    1. He was so pleased to see Eleanor home from school but he was fed up of her posing with him by the end.

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  7. Eleanor modelled her new hate beautifully but the photo would not have been complete with out the aid of Archie.

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    1. Definitely not, he's got to get his snout in to everything.

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  8. Love the pattern of the hat, and judging from her grin, I'm sure Eleanor was really pleased with it. When you know something just isn't right you just have to unpick don't you, otherwise it will bug you for ages lol xcx

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    1. I think it's a lovely pattern, and so easy to achieve. Eleanor's pleased with the hat, she said it was ok before but there was no way I would have let her wear it like that, it just wasn't right so I had to unpick it. As you say, it would have bugged me otherwise.

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  9. Snap - I've just sewn up the one that I made and it has gone into the present pile. I found the knitting 3 stitches together the hardest part and couldn't wait to get on to the purling row. Lovely colour choice. You'll have to call it the 'not ripe blackberry beanie'.
    xx
    xx

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    1. It's a good idea making them as gifts. I thought the knitting row added a bit of interest, the hat I'm making for myself has a lace pattern so that will keep me on my toes. Eleanor chose the colour, her winter coat is a very similar colour and they go together well. I love your name for it, that's what it shall be known as from now on.

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  10. Such a lovely muted shade. Eleanor looks lovely in it. And how cute is Archie looking too! He'll want one next!
    Lisa x

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    1. Ha ha, I can just imagine Archie in one. The yarn I used is gorgeous, so soft, I'm sure it will keep Eleanor nice and warm.

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  11. It looks great, Jo. And Archie is adorable, as you know! :o)

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    1. Eleanor's very pleased with it. I think Archie is adorable, I'm glad you agree.

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  12. It looks great!! I thought it would be a big one with a third ball, you mentioned that over on mine. I like the pattern, bought some pink to start Gabi's this weekend, using the king Cole merino. Archie looks like he's enjoying the photo shoot! :)

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    1. I hadn't used all of the third ball, but even an extra couple of rows made it far too big. It is a lovely pattern, so easy to get a rhythm going with it. Archie isn't too bothered about having his photo taken but he was pleased to see Eleanor home from school.

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  13. Great hat/beanie. The blackberry stitch is a lovely texture!

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    1. I like the blackberry stitch, as you say it's a great texture, and it's enjoyable to knit too.

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  14. The beanie is lovely, Jo. I really like the nubby texture. I think it will be a very warm hat.

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    1. The blackberry stitch gives a lovely texture. I'm sure it will keep Eleanor nice and warm, it's knit in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran which is not only warm but lovely and soft too.

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  15. I bet the hat was lovely to knit in such nice yarn. It looks great, too, I'm sure Eleanor will get plenty of use out of it. It might be March but I'm still wearing my hat some days when I'm out with the dog - it's still quite nippy in the mornings! xx

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    1. I do enjoy using nice yarn, it's a pleasure to knit with it. I'm in the process of knitting a hat for myself now to use on dog walks, not sure I'll get it finished in time to use this year but I'm sure I'll be thankful for it when winter comes around again.

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  16. It's a lovely hat, and really suits her. Lovely job Jo :)

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    1. Thank you. I'm sure we've still got a bit of hat wearing weather left so that Eleanor can get a bit of use out of it before spring truly arrives.

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  17. What a lovely hat but I agree it would've been too big with that extra ball. Archie looks like he's smiling in the second to last photo!

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    1. Eleanor's pleased with it, she's gone to school in it today. Archie's such a happy little dog, I'm sure he does smile.

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  18. I'd love to have that hat. But I don't think I have the patience to make it.

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    1. It's an easy pattern and it grows really quickly. Give it a go, I'm sure you'd be surprised.

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  19. The hat is beautiful, but then, it matches its owner!

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    1. Ah, thank you. I won't show Eleanor this comment otherwise her head will get too big and then her new beanie won't fit.

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  20. The hat you knitted for Eleanor is just lovely, similar colour to the first one I Knitted myself. That reminds me I have the grey wool for another one :-) Amanda

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    1. I think I got it finished a bit late in the year, but Eleanor's happy with it and I'm sure she'll get plenty of use out of it next year.

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  21. What wonderful swap presents! I love crafty gifts and I'd love to have received any of those parcels. Enjoy your gifts! I'm sure you'll find a special project to use your new Paintbox yarns. x

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    1. I'll have to put my thinking cap on to think up a project to use the Paintbox Yarns on. They're lovely colours so they'll make something really pretty.

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