Monday, June 28, 2010

Moorish Tavern

This weekend I went to a mini war in northwestern Northshield called Moorish Tavern. It is an annual event, aways held at the same campground near the Canadian border. There are battles, and feasting, and singing. And there is often rain, was was the case this year. There was a brief but furious downpour, with 40 mile an hour winds. Some tents were tested, and some were swamped, but none fell.

In addition to the usual fighting in armor with swords and shields, there was also a rapier tournament to determine who would have the honor of wearing the Princess' Sleeve. The level of swords(wo)manship was outstanding. Sadly, in the final bout an accident occurred, resulting in Lord Marcus being rushed to the hospital with a dislocated knee. It must have been unbelievably painful, but he returned in a few hours on crutches and showed such high spirits and chivalry that the Princess named both he and Dona Margolit (his opponent during the final bout) as co-holders of the sleeve. She carefully cut it down the middle and gave half to each.




I was very excited to see Sir Yngvar, an old friend.






Also, there is a lady whom I love as a dear sister and friend, the honroable lady Eabblean of Castel Rouge. She is generous to a fault, always making garb and giving gifts to her friends. So about a dozen of us got together and planned to make her some garb she has always wanted: an Elizabethan loose gown over a kirtle with all the appropriate jewelry, foot wear and head gear. She cried. We were all very pleased with ourselves for that. *smirk*



It was a wonderful weekend. I applied bug juice religiously, but it must have been wiped off my feet by wet grass, because my feet look like smallpox victims. Yikes!

Lady Asny was pleased to approve the socks I am making her. Turns out they are a teeny bit narrow, but she was able to get them on. So iwill continue to work on those and plan to give them to her at 12th Nite. I had a great time!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

The Lady Teresa Hat



Here is the next installment in my Loopy Ladies Hat Patterns, each named for one of the gals in my Sunday afternoon knitting group. I like the vintage look, so each hat will (hopefully!) have that. The Lady Teresa Hat is loosely pattned after a sketch I saw for a 1920s cloche.


Lady Teresa Hat




This stylish hat is made with bulky yarn, making it a perfect quick knit. It is named for a gal in my Sunday afternoon knitting group, the Loopy Ladies. It is knit flat in seed stitch, then partially seamed and stitches picked up and knit in the round for the crown. A row of single crochet in a contrast color is added to the bottom edge of the brim to add interest. A button. vintage pin or knitted flower may be added above the notch at the nape of the neck. It can be purchased thru Ravelry.

Supplies:
Size 9 needles - straight, 16 inch circular and/or doublepoints
Size I crochet hook
Yarn Needle
Main Color – 110 yards of bulky weight yarn – I used KnitPicks Cadena
Contrast Color – Approximately 20 yards bulky weight yarn
8 stitch markers, one unique to mark the beginning of the round
1½ inch button, a knitted flower, a small brooch or a ribbon bow (optional)

Gauge – 14 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette – not critical


Turn the brim up over the forehead as desired.
This hat may be made and donated to a charity but not made a sold for profit.