July 30, 2004

I've been itching to knit this Plassard Grand Large Batik variegated pink into a Bucket-o-Chic since April, and by gum* I've finally started! I used Plassard Grand Large to knit a Bucket-o-Chic last winter, and was really happy with the results. This is my try at a variegated version in the same yarn, and I LIKE IT. The band (shown above), made for some quick but fun knitting before lunch today.

So, knitalongers, how are you coming along? Are you doing the Bottom's Up or Bucket-o-Chic? What yarn are you using? Several people have written to me asking for yarn recommendations, and I think that Plassard Grand Large, Rowan's ASC and Cotton Ease to be good yarns to use for the Bucket-o-Chic. For the Bottom's Up, I like Lily Sugarbabies and Bergere de France's Bergereine. Any other suggestions and/or favorites out there? Please, do share. I'll be able to compile them into a list and post it for others who are looking for yarns to knit their bucket hats.

Knitalong news: You might recall that in addition to the yarn prizes I will give for my favorite bucket hat and photos, there will also be a "Reader's Favorite" photo with prizes generously donated by sponsors. Well, we've got sponsors! Wendy is generously donating a some Himalaya Silk and a pattern for a crocheted neck choker with a flower, Kathi is generously donating two beaded ring kits, and Julia (whom we have to thank for the reader's favorite idea) is donating some Cascade 220 for a felted bucket hat. [Please note: Sponsors remain in the running for the Reader's Favorite, and are eligible for the prizes! Yes, even their own. Hee!] If you'd like to sponsor the Reader's Favorite prize, please let me know. Heck, I'll probably end up donating something myself. The more the merrier, I say.

And! We've already got finished bucket hats for the summer portion of the knitalong: Allison is looking classy in her Bottom's Up bucket hat knit using Cotton Ease, Sarah W. knit a Bottom's Up bucket using Rowan Denim "so it'll fade over the summer" [neat!], Heather M. knit a bucket hat for her adorable daughter [look at that smile!] using Cotton Tots, Gloria in Georgia knit her Bottom's Up bucket using Austermann's Jenny [and tells me that it is unblocked in the photo, but it looks just fine to me], Chris knit a bright, beachy bucket hat using Brushstrokes cotton, and Wendy knit a fabulous "Big-Ass Bucket Hat" using a "slubby" cotton/rayon blend called "Tabitha" [wow!], Alison M. knit two [!] Bottom's Up bucket hats: one using GGH Samoa and Filatura di Crosa Giardino, and the other in Rowan Linen Print [I particularly like the red and white hat; it looks like it has flowers on the brim]. What a great start to the summer portion, knitalongers!

*I eagerly await the remake of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

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