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Featured Designer Talitha Kuomi & Free Pattern

Today we're excited to have a guest post from knitwear designer Talitha Kuomi. Learn more about Talitha on her website talithakuomi.com, on Facebook, or find her on Ravelry as Talithakuomi.

I was a painfully shy child who buried herself in bike rides and Nancy Drew books. Both were good ways to avoid the awkwardness of conversation and the pressure of direct eye contact. I found gazing from the sidelines so much less stressful than interacting. Eventually, it got lonely watching life rather than actually living. I began to choose to push myself into social situations and found that in exchange for enduring sweaty palms and knocking knees, I got the warmth of friendship and the rush of small daily adventures.

Leaping ahead, I find it ironic that I wound up as one of the final 12 in the first season of The Fiber Factor. Honestly, I filled out the application because it scared me. It asked me to consider things I had no answers to. That challenged me. To questions like ‘what is your design philosophy?’, my gut reaction was, ‘my what?’. Later, when Josh Bennett asked me who I was as a designer, I tripped and stumbled trying to compose a clear answer. The whole competition felt like that to me, hitting the wall of not knowing how to respond over and over again. Having never seen a reality show of any kind, I was completely unprepared. But, if you ask me now why I design what I do and how that relates to my life, I can tell you. That was the real ‘win’ of the experience for me.

I designed ‘Lind’ as a tribute to all the books that let me walk safely through their adventures before I was brave enough for adventures of my own. The extra wide cables require a little trick to make them work and the slight slouch at the crown keeps them dramatic. A little drama is a good thing.

Lind
by Taltitha Kuomi
Abbreviations
Approx: Approximately
Circ: Circumference
Cn: Cable needle
CO: Cast on
Dec(‘d): Decrease(d)
Dpn(s): Double pointed needle(s)
K: Knit
K2tog: Knit two together—1 sts dec’d
K3tog: Knit three together—2 sts dec’d
LH: Left hand
Meas: Measures
P: Purl
Pc: Piece
Pm: Place Marker
P2tog: Purl two sts together—1 sts dec’d
Rem: Remain
Rep(‘d): Repeat(ed)
RH: Right hand
Rm: Remove marker
Rnd(s): Round(s)
Sm: Slip marker
St(s): Stitch(es)
Yo: Yarn over
Yarn
1 skein Louet Gems Worsted (100% merino; 100 g = approx 175 yd) Color shown is ‘Champagne’.

Needles
16” circular needle size US 4/3.5 mm or size needed to get gauge.
16” circular needle size US 7/4.5 mm or size needed to get gauge.
One set double pointed needles size US 7/4.5 mm or size needed to get gauge.

Gauge
24 sts and 28 rows = 4” in Stockinette stitch worked in the round on larger needles

Size
XS/S (M, L/XL)
Meant to fit head circumference: 18-19.5 (20-21.5, 22-24)”
Actual hat circumference (measured unstretched): 14 (15.5, 17)”
Shown in size XL on my 23.5” head.

Notes
Hat is knit in the round from the brim up.  Extra wide cables are knit with dropped yarn overs to keep them from puckering too much. Cables decrease in size at the crown making for a bit of intentional slouch at the top.

Ribbing
Using smaller needles, CO 110 (120, 130) sts.  Pm and join to knit in the round.
Rib rnd: [P6, knit 3 (2, 3) sts, *p2, k2; rep from * two (three, three) more times, knit 1 (0, 1) st] rep between brackets to end (4 more times), sm.
Rep Rib rnd, until pc meas approx 3”.

Body of Hat
Change to larger circular needles.
Rnd 1: Rm, knit 11 (12, 13) sts, pm, *P6, knit 16 (18, 20) sts; rep from * to last 5 (6, 7) sts, knit to end, sm.
Rnds 2-12: *P6, knit 16 (18, 20) sts; rep from * to end, sm.
Rnd 13: *P6, slip 8 (9, 10) sts to cn, pull to front of work, yo, knit 8 (9, 10) sts, slip these 8 (9, 10) newly knit sts from RH to LH needle, drop the yo, slip these same 8 (9, 10) sts from LH needle to RH needle, yo, knit 8 (9, 10) from cn, slip these 8 (9, 10) newly knit sts from RH to LH needle, drop the yo, slip these same 8 (9, 10) sts from LH to RH needle; rep from * to end, sm. Rnds 14-20: *P6, knit 16 (18, 20) sts; rep from * to end, sm.
Rnd 21: *P6, knit 7 (8, 9), (k2tog) 2x, knit 5 (6, 7); rep from * to end, sm—100 (110, 120) sts rem
Rnds 22-30: *P6, knit 14 (16, 18) sts; rep from * to end, sm.
Rnd 31: *P6, slip 7 (8, 9) sts to cn, pull to front of work, yo, knit 7 (8, 9) sts, slip these 7 (8, 9) newly knit sts from RH to LH needle, drop the yo, slip these same 7 (8, 9) sts from LH needle to RH needle, yo, knit 7 (8, 9) from cn, slip these 7 (8, 9) newly knit sts from RH to LH needle, drop the yo, slip these same 7 (8, 9) sts from LH to RH needle; rep from * to end, sm.
Rnd 32:  *P6, knit 14 (16, 18); rep from * to end, sm.
Crown Decreases
Change to dpns.
Rnd 33: *P2tog, p2, p2tog, knit 5 (6, 7), (k2tog) 2x, knit 5 (6, 7); rep from * to end, sm—80 (90, 100) sts rem.
Rnd 34: *(P2tog) 2x, (k2tog) four (six, eight) times, knit 4 (2, 0) sts; rep from * to end, sm—50 sts rem.
Rnd 35: *P2, (k3tog) 2x, k2tog; rep from * to end, sm—25 sts rem.
Rnd 36: *P2tog, k3tog; rep from * to end, sm—10 sts rem.
Cut yarn leaving a 12” tail.  Thread tail through rem 10 sts.  Pull snug and tie off.

Finishing
Weave in ends.  Wet block the body of the hat to open up the cabling a bit, being careful not to over block the ribbed brim.
'Lind’ is Swedish for ‘winding’.
Pattern and images © talithakuomi 2014 All rights reserved, used with permission. Pattern for personal, non-profit use only.

Giveaway
This month we're giving away a Nova Platina Interchangeable Set! To enter for your chance to win leave a comment on this post telling us which of Talitha's patterns you love best. Don't forget to leave your Ravelry ID so we can contact you if you're the winner. You can see all of Talitha's patterns on her Ravelry page.


56 comments:

  1. I like her cowls best.
    dancinglawn on ravelry

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  2. WOW - first of all thank you for introducing me to such an awesome designer and on review of her patterns I love her cowls/shawls. Also thanks for the opportunity to enter this giveaway I would love a set of interchangeable needles and have not been able to afford one yet.
    LynneGreatorex on Ravelry

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  3. All beautiful! Who can choose a favorite? Esther at sombrereptiles dot org

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  4. I like the Rivi Mitts -- always looking for quick but interesting mitt patterns to make for friends who love them but lose them (or put them in the washing machine, or get them too close to campfires, or...)

    aBillion on Ravelry

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  5. All of Tal's patterns are so beautiful and wearable. My top three are Birchfield, the Swaying Cables Scarf, and Kinston, with Kinston being my absolute fave. Just yummy.

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  6. I like Lind . My Ravelry name is Mommabear7 thanks for the chance

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  7. I have to say Kinston in my favorite. Ravelry is Amseleigh

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  8. Those are some beautiful designs! My favorite is Onda. Alas, it is charted.
    hardwarequeen on Ravelry

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  9. Tough call, but I have to go with Shiver. RavID: caffeine72

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  10. The one I really like is Birchfield. I love to knit a sweater just before Christmas and enjoy it during the holidays. asteride on Ravelry

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  11. Rock Candy Pullover is the first to knit on the list! And then Aura bag.
    patmom on Ravelry

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  12. My 2 favorites are Valleys of the Sea shawl and the Wild Olive Cowl.

    knittingdancer on Raverly

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  13. Asa for both boys and men. I would love to knit those for the guys in my life. Wonderful designs! sewknittystar on Ravelry.

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  14. Kinston! Soooo cute! Ravelry ID:melissacollins1

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  15. I love this hat pattern!
    lynnpurlsbythesea. Ravelry ID

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  16. I rather like Timbrel, another fine hat pattern.
    AnnBan on Ravelry

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  17. I really like the Swaying Cables Scarf.
    gibbles83 on ravelry

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  18. Swaying Cables scarf is my favorite but I love this new hat too, ready to cast that on today.

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  19. The Lind has to be my favorite. I've been looking for a pattern like this for this winter. Perfect! I'm Plumies on Ravelry.

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  20. Previous comment stands, mlbs on Rav

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  21. I really like the Birchfield cardigan. It's classic but not boring.
    Lindaran on Rav

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  22. Squishness and Tropic of Capricorn are definitely my faves...cool and comfy and super cute!

    Rav ID - beeanimated

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  23. I really like the versatility of makalio

    Rav ID - celstria

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  24. I love the Hibernatum hat, actually I made 2 of them.

    Rav ID: aalin3936

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  25. I like many of her patterns - great mitts, cowls and scarves to knit! But I think my favorite is the big chunky vest, Nukka. I'd love to try out those Platinos and knit it up. Thanks! tervsmittn on ravelry

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  26. The Zari hat. I love those cables. (and Moses - such a cute mouse!)

    Rav ID: kwoodie

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  27. Estona - simple, but elegant design that can be paired with almost any outfit or activity
    Raverly: skwestdesigns

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  28. Would love to win a set of needles!
    Cute hat pattern. JaneInGeorgia on rav

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  29. I loved mixta and Carrboro patterns, as a starting knitter I think I could handle these two patterns.
    Char1931 on rav

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  30. I am most attracted to her "Laska" baby blanket pattern. The textural stripes make it feel different and new. And the texture also brings out the variegated colors of the year beautifully. I may just have to knit one!

    Judyby1 on rav

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  31. I LOVE Knitter's Pride and really want to win this set! My favorite pattern is the wild olive cowl. My Ravelry name is Mindyblackstock.

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  32. Laska. I love knitting baby blankets and young moms will love this fresh, modern design. Ravelry user name: anteateralice

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  33. I love the Lind pattern. I also love the Knitter pride needles and would love to win this set. my Ravelry name is knitinsr

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  34. I love the Rock Candy Pullover! Simple yet chic! Ravelry name: knackforknitting

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  35. I like Mixta and Lind
    Kenyetta on Ravelry

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  36. Tasa is very nice, but it's hard to choose! I'm limeleaf on Ravelry.

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  37. I've had Ponder in my queue for a long time, just waiting for the right yarn!
    -TheValerie

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  38. Makalio is very intriguing! Sockmonkey628 on Rav

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  39. I LOVE Birchfield! It's a beautiful sweater, I'd love to tackle that one soon! knittingmommy1 on Rav. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  40. I love Esonta and Kinston. Sleekymom on Ravelry. Thank you!

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  41. I really like this hat, Lind. I also like a few of her others hats and put them all in my queue to remember them!
    Mom2cagc on Ravelry

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  42. I really like the Lind pattern and especially like it in the tweedy brown yarn called Mountains on her website.
    needle-artist on Ravelry.

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  43. This hat pattern is lovely & I will make it. I will consider it my favorite as I am unfamiliar with others yet. Ravelry ID is Agnes-PurpleRose

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  44. I'm kind of in love with Esonta; it looks so cozy! Also love the Mixta hat! My Rav id is greeneye

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  45. There are sooo many of Talitha's patterns that I love! One of my faves is the Birchfield. :)
    Rav Id MippyFoofalina

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  46. All of Talitha's patterns are lovely! I like Iaska the most.
    kathyg on Rav

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  47. Love, Love the Koleine Sweater.

    sherryglover1 on RAV

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  48. I am just now exploring the wonderful patterns I have seen written by Talitha!
    The problem is...they are all wonderful and I don't know which to begin with!

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  49. Love all her patterns. So fresh. Started Lind last night. Thank you for the giveaway.

    deblyn153 on RAV

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  50. So many beautiful patterns it's hard to pick one.
    My Raverly name is Stitchin SHE

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  51. So many great patterns! I think Esperanza is my favorite.
    sunshineadw on Ravelry

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  52. The most favorite pattern is her latest one Lind because that was my grandmother's maiden name and I have it as my middle name so it is special to me. My Ravelry name is makeitsew.

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  53. Great hat pattern. Thank you! Marianne. 58hollett rav ID

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  54. Interesting & unique hat pattern!
    Rav ID: PAW

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  55. I would love hat design. Rav ID Fish1987

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