Knitted Twisted Hat

I knitted another twisted hat. It’s a fun and easy pattern once you get into the repetitive groove.

I found the pattern here.

Directions are for size small; changes for size large are in parentheses.

Hat circumference at bottom edge: 16 (18)" [41 (46)cm]; Hat stretches to fit 20 (22)” [51 (56)cm]

I used 4.5mm [US 7] and 5.5mm [US 9] needles and 4 ply yarn. 

Hat is worked in the round on double pointed needles.

With smaller needles, cast on 90 (102) sts. Divide sts evenly around double pointed needles. Join to work in rounds, taking care not to twist sts. Place marker for beginning of round.

Ribbing Round: 

[K1 through the back loop, p1] around. Repeat ribbing round until piece measures 1½" [4cm] from beginning.

Round 1: Change to larger needles and knit.
Round 2: [K2, yo, k2, k2tog] around – 90 (102) sts.
Repeat round 2 until piece measures 8 (8½)" [20 (22) cm] from beginning.

Shape Crown

• Decrease round 1: [K2tog, yo, k2, k2tog] 15 (17) times – 75 (85) sts.
• Next round: [K1, yo, k2, k2tog] around – 75 (85) sts.
• Decrease round 2: *K1, yo, [k2tog] twice; repeat from * around – 60 (68) sts
• Next round: [K1, yo, k1, k2tog] around – 60 (68) sts.
• Decrease round 3: [K2, k2tog] 15 (17) times – 45 (51) sts.
• Decrease round 4: [K1, k2tog] around – 30 (34) sts.
• Decrease round 5: [K2tog] around – 15 (17) sts.
• Decrease round 6: [K2tog, k1] 5 times, k2tog 0 (1) time – 10 (11) sts.

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull to gather. Secure end. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS
k = knit

k2tog = knit 2 sts together

p = purl

St st = Stockinette stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

yo = yarn over

Book ~ "The Love of My Afterlife" (2024) Kirsty Greenwood

From Goodreads ~ A recently deceased woman meets “the one” in the afterlife waiting room, scoring a second chance at life (and love!) if she can find him on earth before ten days are up ...

If she wasn’t dead already, Delphie would be dying of embarrassment. Not only did she just die by choking on a microwaveable burger but now she’s standing in her ‘shine like a star’ nightie in front of the hottest man she’s ever seen. And he’s smiling at her.

As they start to chat, everything else becomes background noise. That is until someone comes running out of a door, yelling something about a huge mistake and sends the dreamy stranger back down to earth. And here Delphie was thinking her luck might be different in the afterlife.

When Delphie is offered a deal in which she can return to earth and reconnect with the mysterious stranger, she jumps at the opportunity to find her possible soulmate and a fresh start at life. But in a city of millions, Delphie is going to have to listen to her heart, learn to ask for help, and perhaps even see the magic in the life she’s leaving behind.

Delphie is 27 years old and hasn't got much of a life. She checks in on an elderly neighbour a couple times a day to ensure he is okay. She works in a pharmacy and intentionally has no friends (she had been bullied as a child and abandoned by her parents as she got older). One night she's eating a hamburger she has just microwaved and chokes to death. She comes to in a laundromat, which she discovers is actually a waiting room in the afterlife, and Merritt, her afterlife therapist, tells her she had choked to death. 

In walks Jonah and he and Delphie feel sparks. But he is incorrectly there and immediately is sent back to being alive as they are introducing themselves ... but Delphie isn't ready to let him go. Merritt makes a deal with Delphie that she will be returned to being alive and if she can get Jonah to willingly kiss her within ten days, she will be able to stay. If not, she's returning to Evermore forever. Delphie isn't ready to die just yet and feels Jonah is her soul mate so is up for the challenge ... all she knows about Jonah, though, is his first name and the initial of his last name and that he lives in London. So she has to be creative to find Jonah before the 10 days are up.

I was in the mood for something light and for the most part this is. It is written in first person perspective in Delphie's voice. I liked the writing style and it had an interesting premise. I though the ending came together rather quickly and it was a happy one. Given her age and though she had made choices to not get close to anyone, I found it hard to believe that Delphie was as inexperienced in life as she was. As a head's up there is swearing and adult activity.

HOTHOUSE, Toronto, ON

I had supper this evening at HOTHOUSE on Front Street W with Franca, my pal of about 30 years (we worked together many years ago). We sat inside rather than on the patio since it was so humid (it ended up raining for a bit).

Here we are ... it was fun to catch up.

Franca and I

Franca had a Stir Fry (broccoli, peppers & bean sprouts, bok choy, baby corn and hearts of palm with a sweet & sour sauce, basmati rice) with shrimp. 

I had Lasagna al Forno (ricotta cheese, spinach, beef ragu, tomato basil, mozzarella).

Both were good.

Franca also ordered Strawberry Rhubarb Trifle (strawberry and rhubarb compote layered berween chiffon cake, vanilla pastry cream and chantilly). 

Katie took good care of us.

Hugs & Sarcasm, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had an early supper today at Hugs & Sarcasm (Queen Street W/Niagara).

Gord had a grilled cheese sandwich (and took half home for lunch tomorrow) and a strawberry salad. Look at all that cheese!

KC's tree, Trinity Bellwoods Park, Toronto, ON

Gord and I took a walk this morning to visit KC's tree at Trinity Bellwoods Park. 

It's been a few months since I was last there ... what a difference!

Toronto Blue Jays 6 ~ Texas Rangers 5, Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON

Gord and I went to tonight’s Toronto Blue Jays ~ Texas Rangers game at the Rogers Centre. Our pal, Trish, had a work event and she could invite friends and/or family and she invited us (thanks, Trish!). 

Gord, me and Trish

Gord, Trish and I

We were in section 233 so had a great view of the CN Tower.

The Rec Room, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had supper this evening with our pal, Trish, at The Rec Room on Bremner Road. It was a really busy spot!

Trish had an Impossible Burger (Delicious Impossible patty made from plants, onions, pickles, lettuce, toasted potato bun), 

Queen Star Restaurant, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had brunch this morning at Queen Star Restaurant (Queen Street W/Dovercourt Road).

I had bacon and eggs.

Gord had corned beef and eggs.

Happy birthday to me!

Many years ago today ... at 2:12pm ... I made my arrival into the world at the Grace Maternity Hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Here I am at my first birthday party ... celebrating with cake and a washing machine.  Good times!

Happy 22nd anniversary to Gord and I!

Ken (Gord's son), me, Gord and Sister Sarah

July 26, 2002 ~ 5:30pm

City Hall, Toronto, ON

Knitted Twisted Hat

I knitted another twisted hat. It’s a fun and easy pattern once you get into the repetitive groove. 

I found the pattern here.

Directions are for size small; changes for size large are in parentheses.

Hat circumference at bottom edge: 16 (18)" [41 (46)cm]; Hat stretches to fit 20 (22)” [51 (56)cm]

I used 4.5mm [US 7] and 5.5mm [US 9] needles and 4 ply yarn. 

Hat is worked in the round on double pointed needles.

With smaller needles, cast on 90 (102) sts. Divide sts evenly around double pointed needles. Join to work in rounds, taking care not to twist sts. Place marker for beginning of round.

Ribbing Round: 

[K1 through the back loop, p1] around. Repeat ribbing round until piece measures 1½" [4cm] from beginning.

Round 1: Change to larger needles and knit.
Round 2: [K2, yo, k2, k2tog] around – 90 (102) sts.
Repeat round 2 until piece measures 8 (8½)" [20 (22) cm] from beginning.

Shape Crown

• Decrease round 1: [K2tog, yo, k2, k2tog] 15 (17) times – 75 (85) sts.
• Next round: [K1, yo, k2, k2tog] around – 75 (85) sts.
• Decrease round 2: *K1, yo, [k2tog] twice; repeat from * around – 60 (68) sts
• Next round: [K1, yo, k1, k2tog] around – 60 (68) sts.
• Decrease round 3: [K2, k2tog] 15 (17) times – 45 (51) sts.
• Decrease round 4: [K1, k2tog] around – 30 (34) sts.
• Decrease round 5: [K2tog] around – 15 (17) sts.
• Decrease round 6: [K2tog, k1] 5 times, k2tog 0 (1) time – 10 (11) sts.

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull to gather. Secure end. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS
k = knit

k2tog = knit 2 sts together

p = purl

St st = Stockinette stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

yo = yarn over

Toronto Blue Jays 0 ~ Tampa Bay Rays 13, Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON

Gord and I went to this afternoon’s Toronto Blue Jays ~ Tampa Bay Rays game at the Rogers Centre. Our neighbour and pal, Dawn, organized a work event and invited us along (thanks, Dawn!). It wasn't a great game ... the Jays lost 13 - 0.

They were promoting "work from Dome" ... bring your laptop and work and watch the game!

Gabby's, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had lunch today on the patio at Gabby's (on King Street W at John Street).

Gord had the Fish and Shrimp Combo (Our signature beer battered fish, dusted shrimp, fresh cut fries served with our house coleslaw & tartar sauce). 

I had Southern Crispy Fried Chicken (Our crispy battered shicken breast smothered with chicken gravy, served with mashed potatoes and golden cornbread).