Monday, January 25, 2010

My First Hats (for myself).

I am a knitter without a hat. I have never been a hat wearer. Growing up in New England, we drove every where so we spent more time in the car than outside. The other reason is a vain one. First, I think I look dorky in a hat and second is that wearing hats will flatten my hair.In the beginning of January, the temperature in NYC dropped drastically. Friends and strangers on the street would ask me where my hat was. Finally after one night of running errands in my neighborhood during that cold spell, I went home and casted on for a hat. I couldn't take it anymore. It has been over 10 years that I have lived here and it felt time for a hat.I knew that I wanted a slouchy beret after trying on different hats that my knitting friends have made. So, I used a fairly simple pattern that I saw my friend, Penelope, had used recently.

My gauge is off because I had to go up a needle size to use the handspun yarn. It came up much bigger than it was suppose to be so it's extra slouchy, but I don't mind at all. I like that I can pull it over my ears on a extra windy day. This hat is so warm and I love how it looks.

Pattern: Tweed Beret (Ravelry Link) by Kristen TenDyke. I used the pattern from Interweave Knits, Accessories 2009
Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm
Yarn: Pigeonroof Studios "Hydrangea" handspun BFL yarn, used 177 yards
Size: Small size


After I finished the beret, I got a bit absorbed with looking at hat patterns on Ravelry. Maybe even a little obsessed. I saw this pattern knit with a handspun yarn and I fell in love. I have been saving the yarn that Micki had spun for me for a extra special project and this was it.The yarn was a pleasure to knit with, soft and springy. The yarn is a bit thinner than what is called for, so I re-casted on for the Large Size. I love the folded hem on the hat. It's a detail that makes the hat so much more special. If I were to make this hat again, I probably would do a provisional cast on to avoid picking up the stitches. But even that part didn't take too long and made such a nice sturdy hem.And the color! Oh how I just love this color!

Pattern: Wurm (free PDF pattern via Ravelry)
Needles: US 4 / 3.5 mm and US 6 / 4.0 mm
Yarn: "Jealousy" Handspun by Micki, used 294 yards, Fiber: Crown Mountain Farms superwash merino, "Out of Time" (overdyed with green)
Size: Large size
Mods: I knitted 9 pattern repeats, then one purl section, and then started the decrease according to the pattern.

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So this month, I feel very indulgent because I have knit more for myself than for others. You know what? It felt great. My birthday is tomorrow so I don't feel guilty at all for all the nice presents that I made for myself. As soon as I get the time, I will post the other projects I have made for myself this month. I just need to take pictures. Don't worry, there has been gift knitting, too, because first and foremost, I am a gift knitter at heart.

28 comments:

Tamara said...

The hats looks great and I'm glad you got to knit for YOU. I have no qualms that 99% of my crafting is for me or someone OTHER than a family member. None whatsoever. ;)

Happy Birthday! You share a BD with my big girl!! :)

LittleCanoe said...

I LOVE the colors so much. you did a great job of picking colors that look great on you. I can't believe you're wearing hats. Congrats!

knithound brooklyn said...

You look very chic in the hats, especially the green one! Happy Birthday and welcome to hat wearing! You won't go back now!

Jackie said...

you should have knit hat long ago as you look fantastic good wearing them, and it sutis the weather there.

any mother-daughter pair hat coming along? Melody look cute wearing too.

love the slouchy style, nice green bet it get lots of attention on the street.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Bless your heart, I know just what you mean. I have a hard time making a quilt just for me, but I surely do enjoy the one that I DID make for me! You did such a beautiful job on both those hats. I know you'll enjoy wearing them. Good for you!

MarieR said...

Happy Birthday, Oiyi!! And a belated Happy Birthday to your little Melody!! The hats look great on you...you don't look dorky at all. We're always so hard on ourselves. Enjoy your day tomorrow!

Micki said...

Spectacular hats! (I am partial to the green one, of course.) I love hats for the warmth, but I have yet to find a hat that actually looks good on me. So you're not the only one!

Happy birthday tomorrow! I hope your special day is full of fibery goodness.

Unknown said...

Both hats look very nice on you. Great job!
Happy Birthday tomorrow!

Sayschnicklefritz said...

Go on, girl! It's high time you knit a little something for yourself. Practical and cute!

caitlyn said...

Early happy birthday!! I hope it's a great one.
Both hats look spectacular on you!

opportunityknits said...

Both hats look good on you. Have a happy birthday and may your wishes come true!

Sue said...

Happy Birthday to you! I love both your hats, and totally agree that the green one looks wonderful on you.

Rima said...

You definitely have a lot of hats now! Wurm turned out real good!

Jennie said...

Love both the hats, the purple one matches my scarf =D, the green one is fun.
Seeing as it's already the 26th for me, Happy Birthday Oiyi!!! =)

Allegra said...

Happy Birthday Oiyi! Your hats look great!

Erin Joy said...

Happy Birthday! You deserve some personal knitting - at least a few. Love the green hat - it's Mahvelous!

CelticCastOn said...

First off HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Now you definitely do NOT look dorky in hats they both look great on you. I love slouchy berets and that handspun is a delicious colour, great pattern choice!

hetty said...

Happy Birthday Oiyi! I love the hats you have made, especially the first one. I love slouchy berets! And the colour is wonderful! Good for you for knitting stuff for yourself. And BTW, you don't look dorky at all!

Rebekah said...

Happy Birthday Angela!

I think both hats look great on you! Love the purple handspun in the first hat and the fun pattern in the second. Beautiful job!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! Great looking hats. I can't believe you waited so long to knit some for yourself. These both look lovely...that color green is just fantastic!

Natalie said...

Happy Birthday, Oiyi!! Hope you get spoiled silly. Those hats are fabulous. I've got the wurm on my queue for me as well!

Hannah said...

Ah, so lovely- both your knitting projects and you! :)

And seriously, you shouldn't feel the least bit guilty. You deserve some lovingly hand-crafted goods, too.

Happy birthday!

kim said...

The hats look wonderful on you. And if they keep your head warm, bonus.

I especially love the Wurm hat. The color is fantastic.

Happy early birthday!

Jeanne said...

Great hats - I especially like the green one - very pretty!

Happy Belated Birthday - hope it was wonderful!

frances said...

Happy Birthday to you !! Love your blog and your lovely knitting projects. (beautiful yarns that i bought from your etsy shop, thanks!)

nova said...

I am trying to rethink my philosophy of knitting for myself, I would prefer to knit for others...but I have come to the conclusion that noone will appreciate my energy and effort more than I will, really. I love both of these hats, and I am not much of a hat wearer (for the same reasons you are not, actually); but I have been eyeing Wurm for a while, and yours looks fabulous. And I want one.

Corrie said...

gorgeous! every mummy needs some time to knit things for herself! good to see you in front of the camera and love the hats! very beautiful

Corrie:)

LadyTr0uble said...

Happy belated birthday to you! I can't get over your lack of a hat all this time; i almost never venture out without a hat once the temperature hits 35--you are one big trooper.