It was the second hat pattern I ever tried. I had trouble with it at first. I was a new knitter and made a lot of mistakes. Most notably, I would have the stitches twisted when I joined the cast on to begin knitting in the round. Often I wouldn't figure out what was going on until I had knit two or three rounds. Eventually I got to the point to where I knew what the cast on should look like before I joined and now it's almost second nature. My joins are never twisted anymore. :-)
The other mistake I would make was loosing count on the stitch pattern for the hat band. Yes, K2, P1 is a very easy pattern, but I was still learning what these stitches looked like and lost count. A lot.
I kept track of every round on a scrap of paper and wouldn't let my husband speak to me until I reached the end of the round. My most popular response to any question became, "As soon as I finish this row."
(of course I meant round, I've since learned that round is for knitting in the round and row is for knitting flat)
I remember Hubba saying something to me about how his grandmother never kept track of what she was knitting like I was doing. I told him certainly she was better at it that I was.
Now a couple of years later, I do keep track of rows/rounds for more complicated patterns. But in the case of this London Beanie, I reviewed the pattern, set a couple of milestones and just knit the whole hat in a several hours over a week.
I've come a long way baby. ;-)
Be sure to check out what everyone else is doing for Fiber Arts Friday over at the Wonder Why Blog.
PS: I gave the Boy Beanie and Two Hats for Twin Girls to our friends when they came over to meet Apple earlier this week. He was very excited about the hat, and his parents were very appreciative. Which makes me very happy... It's fun to give home made gifts to people who enjoy them. :-)
8 comments:
What a wonderful experience to go back to your beginning! I wonder how fast I could knit the mittens I struggled with as my first project.
You have come far! Wonderful hat! (And I love the ones you just gave away, too)
Oh yes, I remember struggling to keep track of each stitch. It is amazing how with a little practice, those things that at the beginning seemed hard, don't even take a second glance.
Cara
Doesn't it feel great to finally conquer a pattern that troubled you in the beginning! Great job.
@Inspiration Fibers - your first project was mittens?? I haven't tried mittens yet, but they are on my list.
Isn't it amazing when you go back to a pattern from the beginning of your knitting, remembering how hard it was then and how easy it is now?
I understand your sense of accomplishment at knitting the hat without much attention to the pattern. I felt the same way when I could knit an entire sock without a pattern. If it is a long time between socks I have to look at my notes when I get to the heel turn but that's it...all in my head. I believe this makes any project more enjoyable. Your hat is lovely. Happy Fiber Arts Friday!
I totally remember when knitting anything was like that! You captured it so well. You have come a long way!
That was my first hat. KnitWithSnot called it my Confidence Hat and it sure was and is. I've knitted a bunch since then and I love that I don't have to think...that's the best type of knitting.
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