3 hour class: Marlisle Hozkwoz Hat

An excellent, project-based introduction to Marlisle. In this class, you will start a Hozkwoz Hat, a pattern from Marlisle: A New Direction in Knitting to the extent that you can continue in confidence. It is an excellent introduction to understanding the technique of Marlisle. The hat is worked in quarters from the top down, in the round, starting with a pinhole cast-on; a circular cast-on method essential to add to your cast on arsenal if you don’t already have one. It’s useful for toe up socks, shawls that start in the centre and Pinglewins too. This hat is an easy knit, with enough quirks to keep it interesting and pick up plenty of transferable skills.

MINIMUM SKILL LEVEL
Advanced beginner

EXISTING KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
– Experience of stranded colourwork a plus, but not essential.
– You must be confident working small circumferences in the round in the manner of your choosing (for example using DPNs or the magic-loop method).

SKILLS COVERED
– understanding the construction of the Hoskwoz Hat
– pinhole cast-on
– working a hat from the top down
– basic Marlisle using two colours of yarn (with one as a feature colour)
– understanding the function and application of decorative seams
– garter stitch in the round
– a new increase that works wonders when using two yarns together

STUDENTS TO BRING
– pencil
– ruler or tape measure
– An optional copy of Marlisle: A New Direction in Knitting is recommended. Full instructions are provided in class to work the swatch, but not the full hat.
– 100g/3½oz DK/light worsted AND 100g/3½oz aran/worsted weight. For further details, see the Hozkwoz Hat pattern entry on Ravelry or read the details in the book. Go for 100% wool. If it’s not super wash treated (in other words, still a little ‘sticky’) you’ll find it more forgiving for colourwork. You want 2 contrasting, but harmonious colours.
– 4.5mm (US7) AND 5.5mm (US9) needles. There is something particularly satisfying about working the quarters of this hat on DPNs, but it is also possible on a circular needle long enough for magic-loop. If you plan to magic-loop, you may find 4 stitch markers useful.
– 4.5mm (US7) crochet hook for easier working of pinhole cast-on.

HOMEWORK
Work out which needle size works for you to get 15 stitches x 32 rows = 10cm x 10cm/4″x 4″ over garter stitch using both yarns held together after blocking. This should be a fairly DENSE, but not stiff, garter stitch using your chosen DK/light worsted AND aran/worsted weight yarns held together. The suggested needle size is 5.5mm (US9), the larger of the two sizes you will need to bring to class.

HOST NOTES
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE
12

VENUE TO PROVIDE
– quiet space for teaching
– chairs
– tables
– light
– refreshments
– possible use of white/blackboard or flipchart – a big piece of paper of some sort will do.