Saturday, December 13, 2008
So I've been kinda busy and thangs, along with having no blogging energy
But I have been knitting and still reading other blogs while staying in the knitting spirit and all!
I did finish up a really cute hat last week and wanted to show y'all sooner but it was either dark outside, no one around to take pics of me, or the weather just dreary. So I had to make do
and yep resorted to taking the pictures myself in the car! Haha!
Pattern: Lady Detective Hat by Tracey Ullman and Mel Clark published in the Knit 2 Together book.
I just love this book! There are SO many tags in my copy that it is looking a bit crazy!! The book was ridiculously cheap and I originally only bought it for one particular pattern that I just had to have, and yet to knit up. ;op
This is the 1st pattern out of the book I've made and I really loved doing it! Such an easy one and what another chic accessory!
Size: There really is only one size indicated in the pattern, and in reading some other knitter notes on Ravelry there were a few who had to go back and do alterations to make it bigger.
When I first started knitting up on this hat I was very concerned that it would be too small as well.
You begin this project from the crown and knit it down. It was looking really tight to me, but my knitting Purl friends kept encouraging me (thank you!!) to keep at it and that it would turn out to fit just right!!! :o)
Time: I started at the end of November wanting it to be another NOROvember project, and I will still count it as one! But once I realized I wouldn't get it done by the end of the month I didn't press myself on it anymore.
This is another fast knit (can do in about 1-2 days), even though the stitch pattern is a PITA (as others expressed in their Ravelry notes, and I absolutely agree!! )
But I find it intriguing that the stitch pattern looks crocheted! :o) And it actually would have been much faster crocheted too! Haha!
Needles: I used US 10.5 and went down only 1/2 the recommended size, b/c I always need to go down at least one size in general with my knitting, but knew it was important to try and maintain the "big" look.
I think I used a 32" cord, and really should have used a 40" for MLing as some of my stitches in the back look slightly laddered, but thank goodness the variegation and stitch pattern hides it.
I also used another cable to do a "provisional hold" on my stitches right before increasing for the brim. I did this so when I would need to come back to BO them off together I could do it without having to go back and painfully pick them up
Can you see the extra cord (with the end caps) placing my stitches on hold?? It worked out beautifully!!
There is truly something to be said about reading ahead in a pattern and thinking through it!!
Yarn: Okay I am still on my Noro binge! :oD
I never knitted with Noro Iro and it was divine!! Always had my eyes on this Noro line too and finally found a project that would justify the cost.
The colors are simply gorgeous to me as the purple drew me in from the start!! It also has swirls of burgundy, gold, black, and green.
This is colorway #57, and if you haven't tried Iro you must!! I believe this is my favorite Noro line to date!!
I only used 1.25 on the hat and have plenty leftover for a matching neckwarmer! ;op
Cost: As I mentioned above I really had to justify the cost on making a project with this yarn, as it is typically $20 a hank. And also knew it would need to be a small 1-2 skein project! LOL
So when I saw it for 40% off online back in March I jumped on it!! I spent only $16 per hank.
I agree with others that it bites big time you only need about .25 more of the 2nd hank to finish off the hat!! Sigh....so this really is not a 1 skein project with the Iro. Be on the lookout for my matching neckwarmer Haha!
I got the buckle back in May when I went to ATL and met Adrienne for the first time! It was $3.00 and I knew then I was getting it for this project. At first I couldn't decided on the black or brown but you can see which one I settled on. :o)
What I learned: The Better Bucket Hat really prepared me for this knit, so if I had not done this pattern prior to that project I would have been a little bit up in arms.
But since I was seasoned in knitting bucket hats this one was smooth sailing.
The Better Bucket Hat was also knitted from the bottom up and in doing Lady Detective hat I realized how much I really like knitting hats from the top down! This was my 1st one and it was a breeze.
Modifications: None really other than using an extra cord mentioned above for the "provisional hold". Indeed one smart move!
I did slightly block it by placing it on a tupperware bowl that is shaped like a bucket and lightly sprayed it with water letting it dry over night. That was was it!
Verdict: The morning I wore my new hat into work I was walking on the street and the 1st person who saw me (a lady of course) said, "I love your hat!" And I said, "I do too! I made it!!" and she exclaimed back, "OOOO that is great! It is even more super cute!!" :oD
That made me feel all warm and fuzzy! :o) Haha!
Now....what I do not recommend is taking all of your F.O. pics 
while zoomin' along in morning rush hour traffic ;op
Until life slows down a bit! See you next blog time!! :o)
Patricia
I love your use of Noro. I found a knitting shop close to where I was working and they had so much Noro. I thought about you! LOL!
Keep up the good work!
I've knit the baby baseball sweater from k2together...love that book!
Love the hat!!!
glad you didn't crash. crazy butt.
adrienne's comment is hilarious. keep your eyes on the road. ;)
nikki
I've not got this book and think that I'm going to go right over and add it to my wish list - I've a friend who has been asking me to knit a hat for her for-EVER. I resist because she is not easy to please. I think this hat is just the thing to do for her!
Thanks so much!!!
ps: stroke of GENIUS - your provisional hold!!!
and your hat is soooo cute! you know i have that book. :)
I too am reading but not blogging, although hoping to at some point this weekend, life is just flying along at the moment, time of year I suppose!
Have a great christmas. x
PS why is your steering wheel on the wrong side????????! x
Love that hat! I have been looking for a winter hat shaped like that! Hmmm....