FO: Amelia Earhart Aviator Cap
Sometimes, things just seem to stumble into place.
I had recently received this vintage yarn along with some other coordinating funky yellows at a Destash Night at a local knit group. Now I love what I affectionately call "hideous colors"- muddy, rather 70's inspired greens and yellows. I just do. So when this yarn was offered up to a less-than-enthusiastic reception I jumped on it. I have several skeins in two similar shades and was immediately thinking of some kind of subtle yoked colorwork.
That weekend however I happened upon a new coat in ridiculously bright yellow and could not be parted from it at the store. Upon coming home I realized it perfectly matched some of the new yarn. Obviously a portion as a matching accessory was Ment To Be.
So a-pattern-hunting I went on Ravelry, needing something a little different, a little funky, a little retro. The Amelia Earhart Aviator Cap had long been a pattern I wanted to try and seemed an ideal match.
This is such a fun and ingenious pattern, that perfect balance of interesting enough to not be boring but not so tedious it becomes frustrating. You also never work more than 36 stitches for any one row, so it feels like fast progress! First glance (or 2nd, or 3rd) at the pattern however probably leaves many unclear on visualizing it's construction (myself included.) So here's a shot of it with the knitting completed, laid (relatively) flat before seaming. Roll over the image to see the direction of knitting.
^Roll over me
Pattern: Amelia Earhart Aviator Cap, by Head Huggers
Yarn: Lana Moro Ali (1 1/4 balls, approx. 120 yds); 70% wool & mohair, 30% acrylic
Needles: US 7/4.5 mm
Modifications: Not much, went down a needle size to get gauge and bound off in pattern. I made a little matching brooch with my favorite and Simplest Flower Ever Pattern. I'm always exorbitantly thrilled when I can scour through my vintage button collection and use one, as I did here for the center.
Comments
Super cute!
Not all redheads (myself included) can pull off that mustard-y yellow, or any yellow for that matter, but you did it quite well.
Posted by: Cassandra | February 11, 2008 02:10 PM
Love it! I remember the remarks when that wonderfully soft yarn was destashed. I am glad someone found a great use for it.
Posted by: Eunice | February 11, 2008 02:46 PM
What a wonderful color! And it looks like it makes you happy as well.. Lovely pictures!
Tora :-)
Posted by: Tora | February 11, 2008 03:27 PM
Fabu!
Okay - you rawk in that color. Also, that hat looks great on you. But really what I want to know is where did you find this coat?!
I'm in the need of a decently warm coat (for MN weather) and need to find something quickly. Yeah, I can't pull off that color, but the style is fantastic.
Posted by: nanc | February 11, 2008 03:27 PM
That is just so adorable! I'm so glad that yarn found a good home & you made something so cute with it.
Posted by: Tasha | February 11, 2008 03:30 PM
Both the hat and the coat are beautiful together and they fit you so perfectly! Good job! *^v^*
Posted by: Joanna Kostrzewa | February 11, 2008 03:42 PM
The whole outfit is absolutely adorable! The shape of the hat was a great choice to go with the coat.
Posted by: TheAmpuT | February 11, 2008 03:55 PM
That turned out awesome! Glad you got something good out of it.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 11, 2008 04:08 PM
That matches so well and looks really good with your hair, too!
Posted by: Ronda | February 11, 2008 05:11 PM
It looks fantastic, and what a great colour, so cheery for winter. And it matches so well with your coat!! VERY stylish.
Posted by: Julie | February 11, 2008 06:35 PM
I love it! Looks like an interesting pattern too.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 11, 2008 08:24 PM
I think the color is gorgeous and really suits you. Not too many folks can pull of yellows (any shade), and it seems the color was meant not only for your new coat, but also for the style of the cap. Beeyooteeful!
Posted by: Mallie | February 12, 2008 08:26 AM
Fantastic job! You look so gorgeous! That was definitely a match made in knitters' heaven! I really like your Topi pattern btw!!!
I think all redheads should wear yellows and golds!
Posted by: Patti O | February 12, 2008 09:56 AM
Wow! Funky yellow hat! I like this pattern much more now, seem is to be easy and fast to do!
Posted by: Alice from france | February 12, 2008 01:17 PM
I was just admiring this hat and trying to deduce it's construction the day before yesterday! What a little cosmos!
It looks great with that coat and I love the little touch the flower gives it. As always, lovely work and pics of a lovely knitter!
Posted by: Jennie | February 12, 2008 08:25 PM
I love your jacket and hat combo--so retro! I like the groovy mustard on you; on my yellow skin tone it would look dreadful ;)
Neat hat design too, I'll have to keep that one in mind.
Posted by: lobstah | February 13, 2008 08:31 AM
That hat is so cute, and looks amazing on you! Great job!
Posted by: monkeemaven | February 13, 2008 10:09 AM
I love it, love it, love it! The coat is fabulous and the hat is the perfect accessory for to go with it. You look amazing.
Posted by: Marti | February 14, 2008 08:38 AM
So cute! May I copy you? I just bought some mustardy yellow Brown Sheep wool mohair that was going to be an oversized ribbed beret but this might be its destiny after all. Great job!
Posted by: DonnaC | February 14, 2008 04:30 PM
That hat is too cute! And with the jacket? You'll be a ray of sunshine on dreary days.
Posted by: kelp! | February 14, 2008 11:07 PM
This is awesome! I love funky '70's colors as well. I painted a bookshelf in college this same mustard yellow color and I still have it, because I love the color so much. You're blog is so inspirational!
Posted by: Sarah | February 15, 2008 11:08 AM
I'm also a huge fan of the vintage colors. That coat and hat look made for each other! Bravo!!
Posted by: Valerie | February 16, 2008 02:53 AM
finally! we get to see a good picture of you with the new bangs. you look totally great. the hat and coat? mahvelous dahlink. that is a very hard color to wear and you totally rock it.
Posted by: susan | February 21, 2008 01:08 PM
I just stumbled upon your site and must say I love your coat! I am also a sucker for yellow. That hat is the perfect match for it (and has been on my list for a while now too)! I am also very jealous of your hair...
Posted by: Amanda | March 3, 2008 09:43 PM
Oh my goodness, I love your jacket! (Where did you find it?!) That horribly crazy yellow is one of my favourite colors ever!
Posted by: Krystal | March 8, 2008 02:59 PM
That is so cute. I love it. That jacket is so cute and that hat.
Posted by: Kylie | March 27, 2008 12:56 PM
I take back all the bad things I said about the color of that yarn. It looks SMASHING on you! Really!!
Posted by: Dawn | April 6, 2008 04:25 PM