first FO of 2009

I finished one of my WIPs!!!

No, it's not the blanket. Ha!

It is the hat.


Here are the specs:

Pattern: Selbu Modern by Zeitgeist Yarns
Yarn: Regia 4 ply
Needles: US1 and US2

Not quite big enough on me to be slouchy and beret-ish but cute all the same. The top of this is my favorite part.
I must say, not bad for my first real attempt at fair isle. I am giving myself a pat on the back. :)

attempting fair isle

I have started a new project. I went to Gauge Thursday night for a knitting group. I bought yarn and started a hat. A very cute hat that requires me to do fair isle. I have only done this, kind of, on Knitty's Center Square.

So, this hat is knit on US2's and I am using 4 ply yarn. It may take me awhile. I am also worried that it will be small despite the fact that I got gauge. I have a big head and I seem to knit tight when knitting fair isle. I love the colors I am using and would hate to have to give this away. Is that wrong? :)

Anyway, question.

How do you hold your yarn when you knit fair isle? Do you pick up and drop the yarn with each color change? Do you hold both strands on one hand? Or do you knit English and continental with your two yarns?

Which is the best way to keep tension even?