Cardamom Coffee Hat
Cardamom Coffee is a good for soothing Sleeve Madness, an ailment from which I constantly seem to suffer. I knit this hat for the Ramblin Rhinebeck Knit-along with Caitlin Hunter, the designer, and The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers.
The whole feel of this KAL was 70’s Country/Americana. Caitlin’s Ramblin Woman pattern debuted at the end of it and was inspired by country glam legends, like Dolly Parton. The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers was the perfect for this because their inspiration is often found in Montana’s history, comprised of both ranchers and Native Americans.
She had some awesome kits for Ingalls and Tecumseh. But I had my Sunset Highway that still needed sleeves and yarn ready for Guthrie, not to mention a test knit and Floozy, all needing sleeves, on my needles. I knew I couldn’t do a sweater for this KAL. Instead, I chose this hat and I’m so glad I did because it gave me a chance to try a new fiber- Soka”pi.
Soka’pii is a yarn that I have been dying to try. It’s a Rambouillet singe ply yarn from Montana and Wyoming sheep. It means “good” in Blackfeet. I love Wyoming. Our family backpacking trip thru the Tetons and traveling through the Black Hills has given me a tender spot for it’s history in my heart.
I’ve always heard people say that tightly plied yarns are best for colorwork, so I was unsure if it would be good for this project. I did notice Caitlin’s sample used Tosh Merino Light, which is a super wash merino singles base and lots of FOs used it too. Then, Candace encouraged me that it would work out, via instagram, so I started.
It felt like real wool. You know what I mean- woolly, nubby non-superwash wool that doesn’t take dye as vividly, but just feels real in your hands. I loved every second of working with it. It was actually very soft to begin with, but it bloomed into more softness after blocking.
Details: I used US size 1 needles for the ribbing and size 2.5 for the body. My colors were Rank Bronc, Napi, and Monarch. Oh, and I could have knit with Monarch all day. The CC2 portion is so small in this hat that, though it does shine, I was a little disappointed to not use more. Good thing I have a ton of the skein left.
In fact, I have a whole unused skein of Rank Bronc and a third of the other left, too. So I added another skein of Napi when I placed my order for the Ramblin Rhinebeck KAL patch. Now I should have enough Soka”pi for another hat.
I topped this hat with a faux fur pompom by FFFabuknits on Etsy. They are a great price and come in all sizes. This is not even the largest size.
If I’m honest, I have been interested in using Candace’s yarn for some time and Caitlin’s patterns are always “must knot.” But access to this patch/ pin that Caitlin designed was the biggest motivating factor in my joining the KAL. I’m so glad I did because…Willie!!! and I’ve found a new favorite dyer.
I see that Hill Country Weavers is now carrying The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers, too, so maybe next time I visit my daughter we can swing by the “yawn” shop.
Did I tell you?!? My daughter joined Ravelry. She went to HCW with me, picked out some yarn for a hat and scarf, started it, then got angry with it and quit. But, the point is: she joined. I’m okay with her addiction starting slowly.
(more on Ravelry, Instagram, and Flickr)
I talk about this hat some on my podcast episodes 17, 18, and finished on 19.
