reGramps Slouch

Last month I got to go to Rhinebeck, NY to the New York Sheep & Wool Festival for the first time ever.  I loved everything about it, the landscape, the foliage, the animals, the shopping but more than anything...the people. I got to stay in an incredible old mill house with some beautiful people, inside and out. One of them was willing to be my photographer and another agreed to model the updated version of Gramps Slouch.

This Gramps is modeled by Kate Burge which you will recognize from Spincycle Yarns. I knit the hat in YOTH Daughter and behind the camera was Veronika the multitalented. Daughter has frequented my needles a lot the past few months, I just can't help it. After finishing a new sweater design (forthcoming) with the Natural Oatmeal colorway, I had a skein left and it was too perfect not to use it for a hat makeover.

I changed just a few rounds of the crown shaping at the very top because I decided I wanted to retain the stockinette background instead of the original reverse stockinette. The gauge is tweaked to reflect the yarn change but other than that, the design is the same and now has been added to the KO pop-up shop.

We took these photos outside our house where I really hope I get to go again next year.  I treasure my time with these women so much. They are all so inspiring and I constantly wonder how I got lucky enough to be included amidst such a group.

If you purchased a previous version of Gramps Slouch you have access to this updated one too. If you're new to the design, you can find it in my online shop, or on Ravelry, or elsewhere my designs are sold.

And PS, I did finish my own Gramps for Rhinebeck.  And yes I wore it even though it was warm! #Rhinebecksweatersuccess

Brochan

Pattern Update: Brochan Slouch
Photography by Erica B. Studio + Design
Yarn: Dragonfly Fibers Traveller & YOTH Big Sister
Styling by Poshture Boutique; click to shop the Vest & Necklace

This bottom-up stranded hat can be worn slouchy (above) or more fitted beanie-style with the brim flipped (below). It is sized for all ages, men or women, boy or girl.

This sassy new sample features a 2-color version (the original pattern features 3) which I utilized with the colors of my Alma Mater, Clemson University. I actually started knitting this one when my husband and I were road tripping to the NCAA College Football Championship game last January. Clemson won so basically this hat brings All the Good Things.

I also used a faux fur pom pom for the first time and I LOVE how fun it is. Plus it is easy and comes out perfect every time, ha!

Brochan is updated with my new format and the 2-color version option; it also includes metric conversions and I was able to make the chart much larger.

The design still includes all the sizes from infant to adult and a couple of the original photos too.  Because there were no substantive changes, I decided to include both versions of the pattern in the download.  Photo cred below to Veronika Jobe & Kickstand Studio.

The original version is only 2 pages (smaller chart!) and has more pictures of the Child size, so if that suits you better, I figured there was no harm in keeping it available.

Next week I am super excited to be heading to Rhinebeck, NY for the New York Sheep & Wool Festival for the FIRST TIME EVER. I have now completed two Rhinebeck Sweaters...one that is brand stinking new and one of the most challenging patterns just in terms of the writing and grading; it knits really fast but goodness I had to really do a lot of thinking for all the sizes. And the other is a new Gramps Cardigan for ME in YOTH Daughter's new colorway, Natural Oatmeal. Leave me a comment if you have been to the show in the past, are going to the show this year, have any tips for me OR if going is on your bucket list! Come on...that covers most everyone right  ;P

ReGramps

When you get really excited about how pretty your new pattern format is... all of a sudden you have to vamp up your favorite older patterns so that they too can experience the new look.  I have been spending loads of time doing this lately (and maybe not enough time knitting, oops).   This is the first of several re-releases coming at you and joining the Kate Oates design line. Here is the new Gramps, one of my most popular designs ever.

This particular update has been planned for a little bit as I wanted to show off Gramps with an alternate look; a new sample and new pictures were required.  The other minor tweaks that followed just happened naturally during the process and I think just make the design even better.  I credit Veronika for almost all of these suggestions, you are a treasure Ve! She is also deserving of the yarn and photography credit AND she produced the gorgeous human who is modeling; you'll probably recognize Jasmine from other patterns (Blush, Big Sister) and of course lots of YOTH patterns as well.

You're looking at YOTH Yarns Daughter in a calming cream colorway called Natural Vanilla. This yarn has such great texture for cables. I'm working on something totally new with it as well and it has made me decide to cast on my VERY OWN GRAMPS as my Rhinebeck Sweater, after the new-new one is finished of course (no pressure). Did you know I hardly have any sweaters in my closet because they get knit up and then go on tour?  It is sad! But this way you get to see them in your yarn shops and at shows, like Stitches Texas which is where ReGramps is headed in just a couple of weeks.

Notes on the updates: I adjusted the size labels because I think they were a bit confusing. They matched how my original model wore her sweater (which was pretty fitted) but it is more standard to include a few inches of positive ease for a sweater of this style. For example, the smallest size is now labeled as XXS instead of XS and so on. While the Finished Chest measurements are still your guide to what size you want to knit, I just wanted to mention this change to stem potential confusion. The other size adjustment was in the upper arm where I added just a tad more ease.

The only real design change is in the collar which is now a little bit more luscious and cozy because it is deeper and along with that, the buttonband is a bit wider.  These tweaks make me happy all the way around and they will keep you warmer, too.

Lastly, I went ahead and adjusted the gauge on the pattern to reflect the new yarn choice in the featured pattern sample. It was very close to the original gauge but as you probaby know, even a slight gauge adjustment can change how a sweater fits and also how much yarn you need for your project!  I don't want to be responsible for that!

I hope you fall in love with Gramps all over again just like I did.  You can get this pattern for 50% off with the code KATEOATES for the first 24 hours through the Pop Up Shop. If you already have this pattern in your library either on my website or Ravelry you should already have access to the new version.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the new look so leave me a comment! Also, comment to tell me which of my adult patterns you would most like to see updated and added to the line.  One lucky commenter will win a copy of next week's pattern release.

Cheers,