A Winter's Tam . . .

It's still winter in my part of the world (honestly, I cannot begin to tell you how sick I am of winter.  If I see another snowflake, I swear I'm gonna scream!!).  The only good part about the chilly weather is the necessity for winter gear.  That's right!  I've got a lovely tam--a colourful tam!

Finished Tam

I just love the colours!  It's cheery and looks great with my coat (I still can't believe how well the hat colours match up with the coat).  My only complaint is that the hat is a wee bit loose--that may be the fault of the corrugated ribbing.   If I make another version (and I may very well try another), I may have to substitute with real ribbing that's more stretchy or subtract a few repeats for a snugger fit.

Wearing the Tam

I must confess that my fondness for the pattern has inspired me to use the chart for a matching cowl.  I cast on but have yet to start the colour portion.  

Beginning of Matching Cowl

Maybe winter is waiting for me to finish and then spring will start in earnest?  Ha!  Maybe not . . . 

Two Stitches

Tam Progress

That's the number I was off by in my stitch count.  Two measly stitches.  So even though I love my hat, there's a section that's a tad messy.

Notice the "messy seam"?

Where the rounds change, there's a bit a mess.  How does it look?  I asked my hubby and the boys and none of them could see it.  Most people won't see it.  

Close-up of "the mess"

Only other knitters will see my mistake--and I don't know too many knitters in my neck of the woods.  I think I'll be safe . . . Besides, a few duplicate stitches and a good wash should tidy things up a bit--I hope.

More Colour

That's what I need: more colour!

So for Christmas I got a new winter coat--more of a ski jacket in bright teal with neon lime trim.  How to accessorize?  I had been using white, but it couldn't compete with the flashy teal.  Then a happy accident occurred.  While shopping, I tried on a pair of inexpensive purple gloves--whilst wearing my coat.  Viola!  I was in love!  Teal and purple looked awesome together.  Throw in some neon lime and it still works.

Vibrant Colour Combo

Now that I had the perfect colour combo, I had to find an equally awesome pattern to showcase the colours.    Knitty to the rescue!  The free pattern (Three Tams by Angela Sixian Wu) is a beret-like hat with a deceptively easy two-colour pattern.  My only mod was to alternate the second colour with the third while keeping purple as my main colour. 

Start of Colourful Tam

What do ya think?  Nice?  I love it. The vibrancy and vividness is just what this girl needs in the middle of the dull, grey days that accompany February's wintery blasts.

Hat Details

I just hope there'll be enough yarn leftover to make a matching cowl ('cuz a scarf might be too boring).  And maybe even some mittens?  Now that would be nice.