Constantly learning....

Boy do I get it! In order to keep feeling as if I am achieving and moving forward I challenge myself with new skills. I was knitting this really neat hat that remind me of time way back when.  I call it my connection to the Renaissance of life. Or rather the folklore of times.

butterfly stitch!

A simple yet funky knit square top hat. But I wanted a twist something unique. I looked up decorative stitches and found this amazing stitch called the butterfly stitch. Can you see the pink wings with the orange body? Now that is amazing we can knit little creatures! As I was knitting and see all the random butterflies on the hat I had another thought. This hat needs a special bind off! I started mulling over different things and decided on the three needle bind off. I added a little twist to it and BAM the hat came alive. Instead of knit two and slide the first over the second I kept all stitches  on the third needle. Then I did the bind off with just two needles.

Just love the detail the butterfly stitch adds. Can you see them??

With a three needle bind off you put the two ends of the circular needles parallel of each other. Knit as usual by using the third needle to join the stitches. You do this by stitching the needle through the first loop to the second loop and knit off to the third. When finished you create a ridge of sorts or a raised line. It looked pretty cool so far. I then did a normal bind of with two needles knit wise. I was delightfully surprised by the twist because it gave the top of the hat a decorative look! But as I look at the square top it is calling to me yet again. It is saying "I need a Lil' more funk!" I tried a braid finish but it didn't seem right. I tired pom poms but it cried "Too Much Funk". I literally stared at the hat for a few minutes and finally decided on a little fringe. Once finished I saw that it was finished.  I get gitty from seeing a job done but also from constantly learning. This hat and many more are available on my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/maescreations1