Fall 2015 By Carla Wolff SQUIRREL STREET TUGUE
SQUIRREL STREET TUQUE
By Carla Wolff Recently I had the pleasure of visiting Banff, Alberta, Canada. The experience inspired so much knitting; large and small. The streets in Banff are named after the wildlife that is common in the area. I found inspiration for the pieces that were born in the mountains of Banff. Here is the Squirrel Street Tuque, and lovely knit in Rowan Finest yarn, a delightful blend of extra fine merino wool, cashmere and royal alpaca. No squirrels were harmed while knitting this cap.
Design Details:
A ropey knit cast on gives way to a 1 X 1 rib or a 1 X 1 moss stitch and then it's clear sailing in stockinette stitch around and around. Knit in the round on a 40 cm (16") circular needle to partway through the crown shaping then switch to double pointed needles as the stitches get fewer and the top gets narrower. Soft and lightweight it fits under a hood when it is really cold outdoors and can be worn indoors almost forgotten that it is still on your head. Try wearing the hat with different slouches. I roll the rib over and tuck the fabric down at the back to keep the crown from getting too big. Some like a big crown....I'm not ready for a big crownyet.
Finished Dimensions
48 cm diameter at lower edge 30 cm to top of cap
Yarn
Rowan yarns are used throughout for best results. www.knitrowan.com Rowan Finest (wool, alpaca, cashmere) 3 balls X 25 gm approximately 261m (uses approx. 220m) in shade Joy (SH064) and Rapture (SH068)
Needles
2.75mm circular needle (60 cm) Tapestryneedle Stitch marker to mark the beginning of a round. I use a scrap piece of yarn tied in a loop. Stitch markers for marking the shaping stitches at the crown.
Tension
31 sts and 41 rows to 10 cm measured over st st using 2.75mm needles
Index of terms and abbreviations
CAP
Using 2.75mm circular needle cast on 140 sts using the knitted cast on. Join in the round being careful not to twist the cast on row. Place a marker at the beginning of the round. Work in K1, P1 rib for 3 cm. For moss stitch trim, cast on 141 stitches work in K1, P1 moss stitch for 3cm. (the odd number of stitches will keep you making the opposite stitch above the one below, i.e. a knit st above a purl st). After the trim has been completed knit the first and last st tog. 140 sts. Beg with a K row and continue in st st until work measures 24 cn
Shape crown
Place markers at every 14th stitch, 10 markers. Dec round: Work to 2 sts before marker, K2tog, continue to decrease stitches before each marker, for oneround. K2tog 5 times. Break yarn and thread through rem stitches with a tapestry needle. Thread through stitches 3 times to secure the opening at the top. Pull tail through to the wrong side and hide in the decrease stitches.
Blocking your tuque
Wash tuque in cold water with a mild soap. Rinse well and squeeze our remaining water by wrapping in a thick towel and pressing out any excess water. Place a teacup saucer inverted into the crown of the cap and place the saucer on a bottle. This will drape your hat and shape the crown and create plenty of airflow around your cap. When the cap is completely dry, wear and enjoy.
