My First Knitting Project - Balmoral #1

**Aspiringloser** · 10th March 13, 08:43 AM

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...almoral-bonnet

**Standard** · 10th March 13, 08:29 PM

Looks great, even if it is too small for you! As was mentioned changing yarns can have dramatic (drastic?) effects on the end result. Might want to stick with what you used for the first balmoral so that you have an idea what to expect on the second one and then move on to other yarns for future projects. Anyhoo, just my 2 pence for what it's worth from listening to my wife knit for years. Besides, you and your son can have matching tams this way!

**SemperFyffe** · 11th March 13, 03:16 PM

Thank-you all for the kind encouragement! I have been bitten by the knitting bug. I have just finished my third bonnet and will post pictures as soon as I complete the finish work (sewing on the ribbons and such which really makes a big difference). I know what you mean about not changing the yarn but too late. My son had already picked a color he liked (before he got the first one) and so I just used it. I decided it was in my best interest to check the hat every few minutes through the felting process. I finally got the feel for it on the third one. The girls in the family are so impressed they have asked for one in their own colors too. Does anyone know the "appropriateness" of a lass wearing a balmoral? I'll make them anyway because they are my girls but if I am breaking tradition or doing something taboo, I would like to do so knowingly. Thanks again!

**Pleater** · 19th March 13, 04:16 AM

I wear a Balmoral type of headgear, but don't do dicing as I associate it with the military and police - I have used just a plain band of another colour when I was running out of yarn.

However - you aren't local to me, so I can't really say what might or might not be appropriate for your area.

You could try a tam o shanter, with patterns in, as that is a VERY traditional headgear for girls and young women The patterns are usually star shaped to go along with the shaping - they are usually knitted from the brim inwards rather then from the centre outwards.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Oberu** · 20th March 13, 10:10 AM

Very cool! I've always been curious how "felting" was achieved. I assume there is hot water involved and aggitation of some kind. In the service I always had to shave the fuzz off my headgear, which was pretty time consuming. Could you break the process down for me?

**usonian** · 20th March 13, 11:01 AM

Oberu: There's not much to it! You throw the knitted piece into a washing machine on hot, with some other clothes or tennis balls for friction, and let it do its thing; the agitation and hot water cause the fibers to lock together and shrink. If you don't have a washing machine you can use the bucket-and-plunger method.

**Aspiringloser** · 20th March 13, 03:09 PM

Or if you don't have a washing machine, go to a laundromat.

**Pleater** · 20th March 13, 08:42 PM

The required combination is hot water, soap and agitation. You can do it by hand but I advise either barrier cream or rubber gloves as it is a fairly long process and would strip the oil from the skin.

If you put the item into a washing machine you might get the full effect all at once and could end up with something smaller than you need. With the hand method or a top loading washing machine the process can be interrupted to check the progress. Once felted down to the required extent gentle washing should keep it the same size from then on.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**SemperFyffe** · 22nd March 13, 09:08 PM

Thanks for all the great input! As to the felting, I put it in our top loading washing machine on hot just as usonian suggested. I put the timer on for 8 minutes and then go check it. Usually at the 8 minute mark it has relaxed a little and actually gotten a bit bigger. Back in and now I put the timer on for 5 minutes. Usually it only takes a few 5 minute sessions to get just right. It takes a few times to recognize the "turning point" so to speak. There is a point at which the hat is still a bit too big but the felt is starting to tighten up and if you aren't careful you will let it go just a tad too long. If it ends up a little too small, all is not lost as the pattern calls for cutting it up the back and adding adjustment ties which gives you a few inches of play.

Anne, thanks for the advice. I was thinking the same thing about a tam. This has been great fun for the whole family. My 15 year old son was inspired to knit his own bonnet as well and now I can't stop him. He was just complaining this evening that he isn't getting enough free time to knit!!

I have been extremely frustrated. At work that have installed some new security protocols and I can no longer access xmarks at work. Once I work out making a cockade I will be posting pictures of our finished hats.

**room2ndfloor** · 24th March 13, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by tulloch

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?

I disagree, dear sir. Not just anyone can do this. It takes some patience, some creativity, and an intrepid spirit to attempt such a project.

Heartily agree that this project is well-done.