It’s here, it’s here! The Ealhswith Hat is now available for download on Ravelry, and it’s 25% off until midnight on October 19th, 2019!
I’m so, so excited about this design. The matching mittens were designed first; in fact, they were originally a submission for a specific publisher and were rejected, at which point I pursued yarn support from Harrisville Designs in order to publish them independently. (At the time, Harrisville offered a yarn support program, subject to approval; since the updates to their website recently, I have not seen the program reappear.) Check out this post for details on the name and the inspiration behind it.
As I worked on the sample in Peace Fleece DK, I couldn’t stop thinking about all the extra yardage I knew I would have. Also, the idea of the cable panel running in the opposite direction (horizontally rather than vertically) kept tugging at my sleeve; and I’d been saving a set of three Celtic dragon buttons for years, just waiting for an extra-special project. Thus the hat was born—and now I’m almost prouder of it than the mittens! (Only almost.) I’m also very thankful for my wonderful model and friend who so graciously wore them both for the photo shoot, even though it was hardly autumn weather outdoors!
The whole set uses most of one skein of Peace Fleece DK; I used about 315 yards out of a skein of 350. Both patterns can be purchased together as a set for a discount, because there’s not much good in having warm hands if your head is still cold (or vice versa). And if you’re like me, always trying to incorporate old fashion into a modern wardrobe (the older the better!), then this set is the perfect way to add a contemporary Celtic flair to your ensembles this winter.
If you’re interested in trying out some Peace Fleece DK, which I highly recommend, then watch for my review next week—I’ll be going in-depth on the fascinating history behind this yarn and how you can best take advantage of its unique qualities. See you then!
Update: The Ealhswith Mittens and Hat patterns are now available on LoveCrafts.
