Canyon Hat

by Tracy Wright | Aug 20, 2020 | blog, gypsy wagon knits

The Canyon Hat is a nice chunky hat made in bulky weight yarn, Easy to memorize, and shows off hand-dyed yarn in all its glory! It makes a great gift for anyone. Watch out though, they are addicting to knit!

This pattern is perfect for a beginner’s first project. You only need 2 stitches Knit and Purl to make the Double Broken Rib pattern. It’s also a great pattern for traveling, and knitting in public, because it is easy to memorize and easy to see exactly where you are in the pattern. I loved it because it showcased some spectacular colors in the yarn I used…. and sometimes, if the pattern is too busy, the colors can get “lost”.

Size: 8” flat across, and 10″ tall (unstretched) — but stretchy enough to fit almost any head.

Materials:

*100 g. bulky or heavy worsted — sample was done in Malibrigo Mecha (colorway: Piedras) – 130 yards
Needle: US8 36″ circular for Magic Loop, or 16″ circular and set of DPS needle or size needed to obtain soft drape and gauge

Gauge: 4.5 sts per inch in Rib Pattern

Directions:

Cast on 80 sts loosely, using a knitted cast on, cable cast on, or similar stretchy cast on. Divide for Magic Loop, or place marker for Start.

**Magic Loop How-To Video HERE **

Ribbing: K2, P2 around for 16 rows.

Begin Double Broken Rib:
Rows 1 & 2: Knit around
Rows 3 & 4: K2, P2 around

Repeat for a total of 40 rows.

Decreases:
** If using a short circular needle, switch to DPNs when needed

Row1: Knit 6, K2TOG, K2TOG around = 64 Sts
Row 2: Knit Around
Row 3: *K2, P2, K2TOG, K2TOG, P2, K2, P2TOG, P2TOG* Around =48 Sts
Row 4: K2, P2 Around
Row 5: *K2, K2TOG, K2TOG* Around= 32 Sts
Row 6: Knit Around
Row 7: K2TOG Around =16 Sts
Row 8 K2TOG Around =8 Sts

Break end leaving a long tail. Using needle, run tail around though the remaining 8 Sts, twice around, and pull tight. Pull yarn to inside of hat and tie off.

Enjoy!

Supplies & Yarn Options for Canyon Hat — CLICK HERE

Hand Painted YARN: Malabrigo Mecha in Piedras Colorway.

NEEDLES: 8US long –40″ circular needle for Magic Loop (see a short video on this page), –OR– a smaller 16″ circular needle and a set of corresponding US8 DPNs.

Ravelry users: Coupon code at checkout for FREE Canyon Hat Pattern: canyon

CLICK HERE to download the CANYON HAT pattern PDF for Free!

Be the first to hear about all the free patterns and promos that I will be running. Sign up below, and I’ll be sending an email out, with the coupon code to use on MY STORE, Gypsywagon Knits, on Ravelry , and other special offers! If you are not on Ravelry, Respond to my welcome email, and I can send you specials directly!!

Check out more knitting information, tips and techniques on my main KNITTING page. You can also get links to the yarn I used for the Bulky Version of the Canyon Hat (top photo), and some really cool needles. There is also a link on how to do the MAGIC LOOP technique that I used for the hat. But, you can also knit this up with Double Pointed Needles, and/or a small circular.

The advantage of Ravelry — for those not on it, is that you will automatically get updates. And plus… it is the BEST resource for knitters and crocheters!

MORE CANYON HATS:

Check out the River Hat, too!

No Results Found

The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM!

Follow on Instagram

JOIN ME ON TWITTER!

tracywright_1 Follow

@ ·

now

Reply on Twitter Retweet on Twitter Like on Twitter Twitter

yarn delivery: vidalana in desert dusk

by Tracy Wright | Jul 7, 2020 | blog, gypsy wagon knits

I just got a super sweet yarn delivery: Vidalana in Desert Dusk! In the old days, I use to visit my LYS and check out the yarn displays, spending hours sometimes. Deciding WHAT to pick sometimes takes a bit of time!

But things have changed a bit.. and in this present-day situation– that means ordering online. Sometimes I like to pick my own colorway… but I have to admit… sometimes it is really nice to let them pick… and be surprised!

I also love opening a package…. not exactly sure what is in it. It makes it a little like my birthday — but all through the year. That is the case with my current delivery.

This is my first order with this company and they offered me a sweet deal — click HERE… or the button below to see more!

I was super pleased with the quality and the color of this yarn delivery. Vidalana in Desert Dusk is a soft mauve and dark rusty clay rust joined to together to recreate the subtle but complex natural colors you find in the deserts of the American Southwest. It is stunningly beautiful. The photo and video don’t do it justice.

Check it out…

In addition to the great colors, I was super pleased with the softness of the yarn.

Vidalana is 80% Peruvian Highland, and 20% nylon — which makes for a fantastic sock yran with a bit of stretch so it holds it’s shape. I can’t wait to get started with this.

Inside each order is a card with information nd links to special patterns. And there is a link to download KnitCrate’s monthly magazine of inspirations and patterns using the featured yarn.

PRETTY COOL YARN DELIVERY!

HINT: The folks where I got this have a special deal for new people — check it out…

sweet yarn special info -- click here

The folks at KNITCRATE also sent me a little something extra — but I must confess — I have no idea what it is!

what do you think…. sock darning tool??

Let me know if you figure it out… or take a wild guess– comment below!

what to pack for a long rv trip

by Tracy Wright | Jun 27, 2020 | blog, RV lifestyle

It is hard to know what to pack for RV trips.. especially if you are new at it. Whether you have decided to become a full-timer, or are bridging the gap between houses, or are just planning a long trip….there is a lot to think about when getting ready for an extended stay in your RV. Foremost is what to take… and what NOT to take. If you had asked me what I thought I needed 2 years ago… I would have given you different advice. But after living and traveling in my RV for over 2 years, I have learned better. I made a few mistakes… but have come up with this list of tips.

1. Decide what to do with all the things you are NOT taking before you start to pack for an rv trip.

Every situation will be different. If you are keeping your current residence, and returning after a few months, you will probably just leave most of your things in your PERMANANT home, and just take the things you need for the trip. But if you are gone for longer and are renting or selling your house… you will need to figure out storage options.

If you are NOT moving back into your Home — I strongly suggest one of the POD companies. I have used them twice. They deliver the PODS to your address, and you fill them. Then they pick them up and hold them for you, until you are ready to have them delivered to the next address. In the meantime, they hold them in a temperature controlled warehouse. And without much notice, you can go get things out of them. Best part — you don’t have to even have the second address secured to get started. Storage fees were quite reasonable.

The second option would be traditional storage. Reasonable monthly fees, and you have more access.

Third option — a rented (or relative’s) garage. Works well if you have a vehicle you want stored… along with other things.

Option 4 — Just get rid of it. Sell, donate, bequeath. The Jumbo Purge is both liberating and scary.

I confess I did a hybrid. I have some treasures and seasonal things stored in a relative’s garage, but I also did the Jumbo Purge.

2. Clothes — you don’t need as much as you think.

I guarantee you… most people pact too manny clothes. The length of you stay, and the location(s) will play a big part in what you tea with you. I have my clothes divided — current season and next season. The next season clothes live in securely locking tubs that are kept on the back rack of my 24′ class c. But whether you store them on a rack, or in undercarriage storage, it helps to keep only the current season’s clothes in the drawers & closet

It’s summer, and I am in the Pacific Northwest where there are huge temperature changes. So… I layer. I have my basic layer “uniform” — t-shirt, waffleknit, oversized button-down (some flannel, some cotton), a lightweight and a bulky sweater, vest (favorite one is the jean vest) and rain jacket. Bottoms are either shorts, capris, or jeans

Everything is interchangeable. For slightly dressier… I have linen — shirts, capris and dresses, which I pair with the different elements of my “uniform”

Top it off with sandals, tennis shoes, water shoes, and a pair of rubber shot boots and I am all set for footwear. Lastly, undies, socks and a couple of bathing suits, hats and light weight scarves… and I am ready for about anything.

I tend to get most of my clothes at the GAP — so they are all interchangeable. 10 pieces and you have 40 possible outfits. And I wear most things more than once (except underwater). I buy linen or cotton, and can wash them out in the sink and dry in the shower. But then… I don’t mind wrinkles.

3. The kitchen

The kitchen is important, especially if you cook a lot. As far as dishes and silverware.. no more than 2 per person — with a minimum of 4each. I use melamine dishware: saves both space and weight. — 12 pc set includes a shallow bowl and 3 sizes of plates — for 4 people, retro aluminum tumblers, insulated travel cups , Nalgene water bottles (gets rid of single use bottles), a melamine garbage bowl doubles as a salad bowl, and measuring cups that double as prep bowls. I love these evo 24 oz bowls — and eat most of my meals on them I use three bamboo cutting boards one for food prep, and one for a cheese board, and one for small prep. In addition, I have:

**NOTE: I saved a ton of room switching from paper towels and napkins to cloth napkins, and Swedish dishcloths.

And by using silicone storage bags, I got rid of boxes of single-use plastic.

Silicone bakeware also saves not only space, but weight… which helps gas mileage.

4. The linen closet

Ok… I don’t really have a linen closet in my rig. It all goes under the couch. For each person pack: 1 bath towel, 1 beach towel, 2 washcloths. Throw in an extra towel for the dog.

Get a pack of 12 bar mops for cleaning, and cotton dishtowels for dishes. I use an over the sink dish drainer.

Also handy — a collapsible washtub. You will be surprised how much you use this. From rinsing out clothes to rinsing sand off feet after a walk on the beach.

5. RV tools and supplies

You should pack a basic tool kit. Even if you don’t know how to use them, someone else might. But don’t go overboard. Include, a hammer, a crescent wrench, pliers, a wire cutter, a screwdriver set, a socket set, a rubber mallet, vice grips, zip ties, duct tape, a flashlight, and extra batteries.

Let’s keep it on the level– literally. Being out of level is really hard on your rig, especially your refrigerator. You should always pack a level, leveling blocks, and tire hocks.

In addition, you will need a fresh water hose, pressure regulator, and inline water filter, a sewer hose set up, sewer hose support system, and either a 30 amp power cord or a 50 amp power cord

****DO NOT USE A REGULAR EXTENTION CORD!! They will get way too hot, If you are unsure, talk to an RV Professional.

I also have a cleanout hose— so I don’t have to use my freshwater hose to flush out my tanks. Yuk.

And I have a hitch mounted folding cargo carrier so I can bring my bicycle, surfboard, and locking, stacking utility tubs.

6. Making it homey

Everyone has their own style. It is hard… but the best advice I can give is to keep it simple and try to minimize clutter. Everyone will need blankets and pillows, and maybe a throw to wrap up in. More than likely, you will have an outside area to decorate as well

I use a patio mat to keep the dirt out of the house and define the patio area, and a foldable camp table for my plants… and for serving food, a couple of zero gravity chairs to sit in around the fire pit.

Even though I have an awning, I also have a popup. Works great over the picnic table, and lets you spread out. I also have a great, lightweight, freestanding folding hammock.

7. Hobbies and toys

This is the fun part — and all up to you. I personally have a lot of fun: guitars, ukuleles, music stands, knitting things, and yarn, art supplies, books, travel scrabble and cards.

I also have an Amazon ECHO — so I can listen to music, the news, set alarms, ask questions, and find out the weather. I can even ask it to call people, or look up recipies. Best of all… I play audio books on it. So I knit and listen to books, or play guitar to music… or just keep current on what is happening in the world.

So have fun. Save space and weight making smart choices, and you will have more room for fishing poles, golfclubs, tennis rackets, kayaaks…. or what ever else floats your boat!

Happy Camping.

Tracy

ball winder

by Tracy Wright | May 24, 2020 | gypsy wagon knits

I have been PINING over one of these super cool wooden ball winders…thought it would be a real tree-t. All puns aside… What would be better, I ash you?

So I ordered one — DETAILS HERE

And honestly, it exceeded my expectations.

I had been using a rather old, rather jerky, and rather squeaky plastic model. the kind with plastic gears that grind off with use. And I can’t tell you how many times my yarn slipped off the guide and got wrapped up on the greasy gears. Oh brother. That was a nightmare!

So made a couple of videos — one showing it in use… and actually I did it on a recent Virtual Knitting Circle.

**NOTE – I actually thought that the video was paused for a bit — didn’t want to have people sit through winding the entire 100gr skein. Sort of like watching paint dry or grass grow.

But, as luck would have it, the video didn’t pause… so you get some very honest commentary on the ball winder — between me and my mom. And by the way — mom DOES knit — but I think she meant that she wasn’t knitting as much as she used to. She has a huge background in fiber arts — knitting, spinning, weaving — not to mention raising prize-winning Romney sheep. And — I made a second video showing how to assemble… which was pretty easy.

Why spend time untangling yarn when you should be spending that time knitting!

The Fabulous Ball Winder

I was super pleased, especially with how quiet it is, and how smooth. I had no problem with the yarn tangling, and my maiden “wind” went very well.

I think if I was going to change anything, it would be to put a larger knob on for turning the handle. It would make it easier to grip when turning and would be a simple modification, involving just one screw. A nice little ceramic knob — like a drawer pull or small doorknob would be great.

Yarn wound is from Barnyardknits.com, fingering yarn in winterberry. (All of their yarn is gorgeous, tell them GypsyRambler1 told you!!)

And the little peanut of a dog that video bombs me is Rainey!

HOW TO ASSEMBLE THE BALL WINDER

Unfortunately, this ball winder did not come with any instructions for use — or DIRECTIONS for assembly. Luckily, there were only 6 parts, and it went together pretty easily. But, I made a video, so you could see how it is done.

TO ORDER YOU OWN BALL WINDER — GO HERE!

HOPE YOU ENJOYED MY BALL WINDER POST!

bulldog rescue: finding rainey

by Tracy Wright | May 13, 2020 | blog, Dogs

This is Rainey, bulldog rescue and — Queen of Everything.

She is a special needs pup that we recently adopted through an incredible organization: Lily’s Pad Rescue.

Rainey is a petite bulldog — about 30 lbs, with Spina Bifida. Although she is fully mobile, she wears diapers to handle incontinence issues. (I’ve raised 4 kids… and diapering a dog is a piece of cake compared to a baby!)

This sweet girl has captured our hearts!! Rainey is super affectionate, and a total love bug. She is a little uncoordinated — so we probably won’t be attending agility competitions — but is eager to learn new things. But mostly, she just wants to be loved on and snuggled. Almost completely different than her Brother-Dog, Dude — who is a cattle dog/terrier mix. Quick and nimble, he is happiest when he is working. Give him a job, and he’s a satisfied boy. Together, they make quite a pair.

Here are a series of videos that I made of our special day.

I never considered BULLDOG RESCUE until I ran across a photograph of Rainey online. And her story touched me. I thought about it for a few days, and I felt compelled to call.

Although I have had bulldogs before, I have never had a special needs dogs — especially with Spina Bifida. And I had never gone through bulldog rescue and gotten an older dog (She will be 1 later this month.) So I had my concerns — would the dog come with bad behaviors, would there be increased medical cost, would she not live as long as other dogs? And what would happen if I had an emergency, or needed to go out of town? But after thinking about all the possibilities, I knew it was the right thing to do to give this sweet girl a forever home.

At first, I wasn’t sure if I could handle the whole diaper thing. But I talked a lot with Rachel from Lily’sPadRescue, and she told me about the ongoing assistance and resources available. I am not in this alone, there is a whole family of special needs dog moms and dads behind me. And since this is my first special needs dog, I found that very reassuring.

And When I picked her up, Candace gave me some very through hands-on training. And really — it was a lot easier than I originally thought.

And LilysPadRescue set me up with all the supplies that I would need to take care of her for the first few weeks and to help ease her transition into a new home— including a bed and toys!!

Special needs dogs are not right for everybody, but they might be right for you.

If you think you might find it in y our heart to open your home to a special needs bulldog rescue pup, please contact LilysPadRescue, — the link is below. And reach out to me, I will be happy to give you honest facts about our experiences.

Click HERE for more info about Bulldog Rescue through Lily’sPadRescue.

Rainey likes to sit right next to me while I knit… and we have had to have some firm discussions about yarn and needles not being chew toys. But, she will get the hang of it. She has, after all a big brother to show her the ropes.

At 8, the Dude has mastered the art of aloofness. He is not sure what to think about this rambunctious little ball of fluff that he now shares me… and his space with. Give it a month, and they will be curled up together, I am sure.

AND — I think I will knit some up for a favorite Charity: Lily’sPadRescue, who helps find forever homes for medically fragile bulldogs. They have an auction/fundraiser coming up this summer. Maybe pair it up with dog soap for them!!