Hi Knitters,The Monster Hat is a success. I ordered the kit here. The designer is Insubordiknit. She needle felted the monster and the yarn is her original hand spun. It is beautiful yarn. (Sorry about that weird cord sticking out on my neck. What's a 42 year old to do? Just keep your eyes on the hat.)
I used her pattern but changed it here and there. Her needle suggestions are a little vague, to get the gauge of 3.5 stitches per inch she suggests needles anywhere between US size 10-15. I grabbed my size eleven 16-inch circulars and started in. I started with the medium size hat and I first used a seed stitch border. I quickly noticed that it was waaay too big. I was knitting at about 3 1/4 stitches per inch. I pulled it out and dropped down to the smallest size. This size required 10 less stitches than the medium size. This is a much better result. I switched to a 2x2 rib for the brim so it would be a little tighter as well.
I have to warn you that if you get this kit pay close attention to the amount of yarn you have left while you are knitting. I actually ran out of yarn before I finished my decrease rounds. The kit says it has enough yarn to complete a large size hat and I made the small size. I am not sure about this and when I make the other hat I will let you know if I end up with enough yarn. I switched to dpns for the top section. After I discovered that I didn't have enough yarn to finish the hat I ripped back and did a quicker decrease (every row instead of every other) to get down to 8 remaining stitches. I ended up with about 2 inches of yarn left.One thing you can't see in the photos is that every once in awhile there is some coppery tinsel thrown into the yarn. I love this surprise so much. Insubordiknit yarns often have crazy stuff thrown in and I think that is so great. I sewed on the monster patch with red thread and it's ready to go. The hat is actually for my daughter and she is thrilled about it. She wore it all morning even though it is 87 degrees today. I love the finished result just as much as my daughter.
Cheers!
best,
susie
p.s. I still haven't received my beard yarn.
That is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO cute!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove it - I am still waiting for my kit.
ReplyDeleteGreat job
Your hat is so darling - and fast!!
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog and am obsessed with the SK magazine. I'm originally from England and much prefer the UK knitting mags. I couldn't get the last issue because B&N had sold out (my store only orders 3 copies a month and I can't place a hold on it!) I had no idea there was a SK book out with tons of patterns in, and I love the gnomes. I will be making a trip to the book store to see if they have it, or searching on line. Thanks for the great info. Oh and I can't wait for your new book to come out in Sept. I love knitting baby stuff and can't wait to try the teapot and paci holders I on the cover and in your previous post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
I ran right out to Barnes and Noble after reading your gnome post and they did not have the book. I have sent out an knit emergency APB to all my out of town/state/country friends to see if they can find it.
ReplyDeleteI really think I need a gnome.
Love the hat btw, and your felted bag is too cute. Looking forward to your next book.
Ha! Like minds again. Right after I finished my new post today I checked your blog and there you were with your mug in front of a tree bark background. I am not as brave as you as I hid my 42 year old face! :)
ReplyDeleteYour monster came out so cute. Great job. Thanks for the pattern problem notes.
ReplyDeleteMy two sons would think those monster hats are fantastic. Maybe by Christmas I'll be good enough for that?
ReplyDeleteOh, and I made one of your Ribbons hats (in white, with various red ribbons) for a friend's baby shower, and it was the hit of the party! Cute, cute, cute! I'm going to have to make another one for my daughter!!