The Spinning Ladies of Sanday are growing in number and we need to spread out a little.

Two tried and tested patterns for handspun hats. See Beth's blog entries for further details.

This is the Spring Cap pattern by Woolly Wormhead. Suitable for an Aran weight (18 stitches to 4 inches), the sizing is on the small side. Fine for a regular or an unevenly spun yarn. This is a quick knit and quite straightforward. A four row pattern uses staggered eyelets (yarn overs and knit togethers) to form a light mesh design. Stocking stitch rolled brim and optional knitted bobble tassel.

Pattern from Woolly Wormhead's website , or from Ravelry.

This second hat pattern is designed for use with Noro Kureyon yarn but admirably suits the use of handspun yarns.  A very fast knit, using bands of knit and purl stitches to form furrows. Simple regular shaping in the knitted bands makes knitting this hat a walk in the park (or a stroll on the beach?) Generously sized. Check your tenson - and adjust needle size or stitch count as necessary.

This hat would look wonderful knitted in two or more alternating natural shades, or in two related yarns with one marled and the other plain.

The Noro Hat pattern is available here . See it at Ravelry here  

Beth is currently triumphantly knitting her own yarn, into a Spring Cap by Woolly Wormhead.

Yesterday in the Sanday Blog we saw early signs of Spring. As Gill noted today, we were returned to Winter last night.

A welcome respite from the winds today on Sanday - with the sun mirrored by a flat sea. Beth was out and about and looking for signs of Spring, and she found them. A sturdy pair of Suffolk lambs, turned out with their mothers to enjoy the good weather.

Not all of the Sanday Spinners exhibit discipline. Beth, for instance, is presently seduced by colour and has been spinning roving into lumpy bumpy character yarns, She has no idea what she will knit with the finished skeins, but really wanted to do some fun spinning for a while. Possibly, the skeins will be for sale on Etsy.

Marja has found a hunky male model to show off her latest handspun projects, a knitted Beanie hat and zipper jacket. Both garments are of Marja's own design and knitted from her Sanday Spinner's handspun yarns.

The model is Marja's son, Bart, keeping warm and comfortable in the chill of a Cambridge spring - with some shop window lambs looking on.