My First Knitting Project - Balmoral #1

**SemperFyffe** · 1st March 13, 08:52 AM

Thanks to Usonian I was inspired to learn how to knit my own balmoral. I loved the look of his and I am just too cheap to pay that much for something I might be able to do on my own. To be honest, this project wasn't too difficult, but I did run into a few problems.
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A work in progress

After awhile the process of knitting became quite natural and I was even able to recognize my mistakes in the knitting. I still don't know what I did to cause them, but I can at least see them. Thankfully, it all disappears when the project is felted.

Here is the balmoral finished before felting:
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It was supposed to be MY balmoral but it ended up a bit too small for me after felting. Needless to say, my son was quite happy to be the recipient of a new and unexpected balmoral!
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Now I am just waiting on the ribbon to finish the project. Thanks Usonian for the encouragement and support on this! Now I am working on my second and hopefully bigger one for myself and my oldest son. I will post pictures of all three completed once I am done.

**usonian** · 1st March 13, 08:59 AM

That came out great, and that's a really nice brown/heather color! Depending on how small "too small" is you may be able to use the same stitch count, but stop the felting process a little bit sooner... if it's "can't even fit it onto my head" small you can always try the instructions for the largest size.

**Llama** · 1st March 13, 09:01 AM

That's great! Love the colour.

**SemperFyffe** · 1st March 13, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by usonian

That came out great, and that's a really nice brown/heather color! Depending on how small "too small" is you may be able to use the same stitch count, but stop the felting process a little bit sooner... if it's "can't even fit it onto my head" small you can always try the instructions for the largest size.

Thanks! I loved the color too! Even cutting it up the head band in the back as called for, it still just sits on the crown of my head. Felting was aggrivating. At 10 minutes it was still not quite felted enough (could still see stitches and it was kind of "loose"). Then at 13-14 minutes it was suddenly tight on my head. I am trying the large size on this next one and I may felt on the warm setting instead of the hot. Thanks again for the inspiration!

**tulloch** · 1st March 13, 10:29 AM

That is fantastic. See what we can learn? Anyone can do it. Very impressive. Congratulations. Can't wait to see your next one. What kind of yarn did you use?

**SemperFyffe** · 1st March 13, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by tulloch

What kind of yarn did you use?

Thanks for the encouragement Tulloch! I used Lions Brand Fishermans wool in the Heather Brown color. I used it simply because it was the only 100% wool I could find at the store and I just happend to love the color. In the proper light it is hard to determine if it is brown, purple, or gray or some combination. For my next one I will use Cascade 220. They have some really great colors to choose from.

**Pleater** · 1st March 13, 01:12 PM

Now - you do know what could happen if you make the prototype in one yarn and then switch - don't you?

It is not just a rule, it is practically a law that it is going to react differently and you could be boiling it to try to get it small enough, or end up with an egg cosy.

All part of the joy of creating your own garments.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Aspiringloser** · 1st March 13, 07:21 PM

You can also stretch it a bit while it's still wet.

**celticall** · 8th March 13, 07:58 AM

Beautiful job!!

**Lockwood** · 9th March 13, 11:40 AM

That is incredible! I have been making Balmoral-style hats from fleece, which doesn't look bad, but it's not the same as what you have achieved. Where can I obtain the instructions for this? My wife and I share the workspace so I need something to do when it's her turn and this looks great. BTW, I love that color!