I feel like it’s been forever, but I won’t let that stop me from making this a juicy update packed with knitting goodness! First off, FO #2, a child’s rollbrim hat in two delightful colors of Lamb’s Pride Superwash Chunky for our local charity project. 
This marks my first successful use of DPNs, and you know, they’re not so bad, despite my Fear of the Felted Bag. I really love the Brittany Birch 7″ needles – they feel both delicate and strong, and they keep me from gripping so tightly – a big plus.
I KIP’ed all over NYC last week with this hat, just hoping some knitblogger would stop in his/her tracks and say “Me too!” The NYC SnB was not to be, alas, but I did have a very satisfyting trip to The Yarn Connection at Madison and 36th – where I encountered an interesting variety of knitter, the Knitting Groupie. There was one studiously disaffected young woman picking stuff out and her friend was following along behind saying things like “Oh, that would be good! That would look great! Are you going to go next door to Starbucks and start that right now? I can’t wait to see how that looks knitted up!” I was tired just listening to her.
I walked away from The Yarn Connection minus the needles I had been hoping for, but with an additional ball of Zara for my tri-color stocking caps, the 20th anniversary issue of Vogue Knitting (I know, so fashionable to loathe VK, but this issue had a pattern I needed to see), and a copy of The Purl Stitch. I was so excited at the book purchase that I saved it for the plane ride home, savoring the anticipation…and I was underwhelmed.
There were a few items I would be interested in making (Not Your Mother’s Jacket), and the techniques were more than sound, but I actualy found more to like in the VK 20th anniversary issue.
Is there something wrong with me?! Why didn’t I looove this book like everyone else (send hate mail to youreanidiotdonna@knitonepurltoo.com)?
Sweatering along, and almost ready to join and knit in the round, after which I think this will just zoom along, really. Woohoo! Bonus link: using your electric mixer as a ball winder – really!
9 Responses to “Hats off!”
Hat is looking very good, Donna! How did you find working with dpns? I don’t like it very much, and do it only when I really, really have to. I even prefer seaming up a hat to knitting it in the round.
(Wish I had been there so I could knit in public with ya!)
if it makes you feel any better, i didn’t find the purl stitch very exciting either. i was all psyched to see what was inside, and i just kept turning pages waiting for a mindblowing design. didn’t find one. alas.
Can I tell you I wasn’t all too thrilled with The Knit Stitch? I felt the same way.. none of the patterns really did it for me, though I can see how the pictures and tips could be very useful.
Bleh.. I’m so conflicted as to whether to return it or chalk it up as a $14 reference book.
Hat looks great, btw!
The encounter with the Knitting Groupie is hilarious…I wish I had been there to watch and listen too!
Good lookin’ hat!
Hi Donna. Nice hat! Hey, could you update the URL for your brainylady link? Thanks!
I agree w/being underwhelmed about both book #1 & 2. Thought there was something weird about me…I also made the Tote Around at the end of summer and did a crochet cast-on as well to overcome the problem of huge dpn’s and very few sts. I had to felt it a LONG time to get it to a size to match my short frame (5’3″) – it started out huge. If I ever do it again, I’d use a lot less sts. and likewise a lot less yarn. Can’t wait to see your’s.
Nice hat Donna – I like the colors. And congratulations on your first project with dpns. I like the Brittany needles as well although I break them in smaller sizes.
That pinky hat is so adorable. Really great work! :^)
I loved The Knit Stitch and was looking forward to buying The Purl Stitch when it came out. Once I saw it in person, I realized there wasn’t much there to interest me and opted to buy a couple more skeins of yarn instead.