i still knit...
...not often, but sometimes. Especially when my lovely knitting group of women get together. And so the last time we gathered, I dug around my pattern and yarn stash for the makings of this hat. It's been months since I've completed any knitting project, and there are about 4 projects in progress that I have no desire to work on--all on size 2's and 3's. Ick. So a simple - but not boring - baby hat was the perfect fix.
The pattern is the aptly named Baby Hat from One Skein. I knit it up (in the larger size) with a yummy white Classic Elite Miracle, and threw in some leftover pink Rowan Kidsilk from the stash (again, thank you blog for providing a record of these things! How else would I ever know what that random ball of fuzzy pink yarn was?). It knit up quite nicely, and though the umbrella pattern prevented me from actually knitting it AT my knitting group, it did make for an interesting knit once I was at home. And since this is the third pattern I've completed from the book (the others being the felted bowl, and the baby bolero), that officially makes it a 'successful knitting book purchase' in my mind.
Speaking of knitting books and wanting to make another 'successful knitting book purchase' (ha!), does anyone recommend Knitting Nature? It sounds lovely, but I haven't seen it yet, and since a trip to the yarn store is not in my immediate future, I thought I'd ask you before buying it. Anyone?
So I guess it wasn't very nice of me to ask her to model this on an 80 degree day? Let's hope she forgets about this in the fall when I actually want her to keep it on her head (I'm dreadfully afraid that she's turning into one of those babies that doesn't like hats. So very very sad.)
never fear!
i must have knit 15 hats by now for my daughter, who is now 2 1/2.
she was unhat-able for about 8 months (once she learned she could pull them off) but quickly became a knit hat lover (once she learned she could put them on herself).
now, in the mid summer heat, she sometimes insists on wearing a wool knit hat out to play.
don't give up!
keep knitting hats!
liz
p.s. the hat is super-cute!
Posted by: liz | July 13, 2006 at 07:59 AM
Very nice hat. Glad to hear that book has some good things in it - might need to get a copy.
Posted by: Kate | July 13, 2006 at 08:21 AM
That hat on that little head is SOOOOO cute!! And Amanda, she looks JUST LIKE YOU!
Posted by: 3 to get ready | July 13, 2006 at 08:23 AM
Sad maybe, but in the meantime, so very very cute!
Posted by: katharine | July 13, 2006 at 09:03 AM
you always have such sweet pictures of those children of yours! she has the cutest cheeks I have seen in a long time! I always got blurry pictures of my kids when they were babies because they wouldn't sit still!
Posted by: jenn | July 13, 2006 at 09:08 AM
she looks sooooo cute!
adorable...
Posted by: Verónica | July 13, 2006 at 10:13 AM
Knitting nature is a gorgeous book, and I recommend having it even if it's only for inspiration. But I buy books just to have books, so maybe I should keep my mouth shut. I will say that there are a variety of projects including the shawl/blanket on the front and they are all very pretty designs. Complicated, but pretty.
Is that at all helpful!!??
:)
ps-great hat. I keep meaning to knit up the little purple handbag from that book.
Posted by: angharad | July 13, 2006 at 10:34 AM
Adelaide gets more and more adorable - and the hat's lovely too.
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 13, 2006 at 10:36 AM
I love that hat!
Posted by: Valerie | July 13, 2006 at 11:11 AM
My daughter was great with hats until about 9 months, but she hasn't tolerated them for the past 4 months. I hope the hat love comes back! Liz's comment up there is encouraging.
Posted by: amy h | July 13, 2006 at 11:13 AM
I love the hat. It makes her look like she has hair ;-)
I would highly recommend the Knitting Nature book. The projects are not for beginners, but they are truly beautiful creations and look well worth the effort. I think you would enjoy the book. There is also a knitalong now.
Posted by: Niki | July 13, 2006 at 12:58 PM
Very cute! I want that One Skein book.
Posted by: Kelli | July 13, 2006 at 12:59 PM
I've drooled over Knitting Nature in the store - I say YAY to the purchase!
Posted by: Sarah | July 13, 2006 at 02:47 PM
Hi, just delurking (I don't think I've commented here before). I'm taking part in the current Secret Pal swaps and my Secret Pal highly recommends it.
Love your blog!
Posted by: Katherine | July 13, 2006 at 03:32 PM
Knitting Nature is a lovely book and very inspirational. The art direction of the book is exceptional. I am glad to have borrowed it from the public library first, though, as it's a hefty investment and the projects and techniques are quite specific and (in my case, anyway) challenging.
Posted by: christine | July 13, 2006 at 03:58 PM
what a lovely hat! And I'm sure Adelaide will come around to wearing them... maybe when it gets colder!?
Posted by: melissa | July 13, 2006 at 04:17 PM
That baby is adorable. I think she's a true "dumpling!" I just want to cuddle her every time I see her picture!!
Your knitting inspired me to try...the felted bowl from One Skein. I'm still not brave enough to knit in the round yet. Getting closer.
Posted by: Meredith | July 13, 2006 at 05:07 PM
I don't ever want her to grow up! Is that selfish of me? I'm new to your blog but now I check it every day to see your fun world and your WAYCOOL kids. I stayed a spinster but I love kids and your daughter is just such a cherub!
Posted by: Miss Pink Ponsonby | July 13, 2006 at 05:55 PM
Those photos are adorable!! Great job on the hat.
Posted by: Veronica TM | July 13, 2006 at 06:33 PM
Ooooh, Adelaide is way too cute. I just want to squish her little cheeks everytime I see her smiley face. My little babe didn't like hats until she reached 2yo, thankfully she is happy to sport her knitted hats as we venture in winter down under.
Posted by: Kikimiss | July 13, 2006 at 07:03 PM
very cute Amanda. I had one of those babies who refused to wear hats. I was bitterly disappointed at the lack of enthusiasm he had over all those cute toppers I'd made. what's a knitter to do?
Posted by: Blair | July 13, 2006 at 07:37 PM
re the hair thing, can I suggest adding two long plaits of wool to each side of the hat? then she would look like she really has hair? I bought one for my niece once and somebody actually stole it off her head in the supermarket when he mum wasn't looking!!! Your kids are too cute and your pics are always fantastic.
Posted by: Miss Dot | July 13, 2006 at 09:00 PM
Knitting Nature is absolutely exquisite. But I've heard there are problems with the patterns. Editing problems. So I would search the net for errata before you knit anything up. And you will want to. Oh you will want to.
P.S. I LOVE your blog. Absolutely love it. It's been so inspirational. Why I've fallen in love with sewing again - www.jacquieknits.com
Posted by: Jacquie | July 13, 2006 at 09:54 PM
Knitting Nature is wonderful. But, sort of the polar opposite of One Skein. These are not quick projects. Lots of paying attention, cabling type stuff. I'm not at all saying too hard for you, just maybe not until Adelaide is older and you get more focused time for knitting.
Posted by: aimee | July 13, 2006 at 10:33 PM
Check out the Knitting Nature knitalong (google it)- there's some great info there and real knitters making the projects!
Posted by: JulieFrick | July 13, 2006 at 10:59 PM
What a yummy baby! So is the hat!
Posted by: Birdypups | July 14, 2006 at 12:07 AM
Again, I find your first photography unbelievable. You catch incredible things. All this Mummy Love in her eyes. So emotionnal.
In the mean time, she takes off this pretty hat. It makes me laugh ;)
Posted by: Christelle | July 14, 2006 at 04:11 AM
oh no! super cute baby alarm! major cuddling urge!
Posted by: Julia | July 14, 2006 at 05:26 AM
Adorable babba ~ nice hat too!
Posted by: kali | July 14, 2006 at 06:19 AM
The patterns in Knitting Nature are gorgeous, but I was disappointed that there weren't really any small/quick projects--mostly sweaters. I almost wanted to try the "nature patterns" as swatches (separate from the sweaters) and do something else with them. It's at least worth a look-through.
Posted by: sarahjane | July 14, 2006 at 07:52 AM
knitting nature is very visually interesting - along the lines of "loop d loop" if you've seen that one - but not necessarily things real people wear (i think i would actually WEAR maybe 4 or 5 of them? altho there are others i enjoy looking at).
but so far i've seen a lot of comments on several blogs about errors in the patterns. and as someone's already told you - it's all pretty big projects. big shawl/blanket type things and adult tanks/sweaters.
Posted by: carolyn | July 14, 2006 at 08:57 AM
wow...she looks like ezra!
Posted by: Katie | July 14, 2006 at 10:33 AM
I made that hat, too! I'm on my 3rd one. I also love the clutch in One Skein and have made 2 of them. You can make it in one day. I blogged about both patterns last week:
http://starlitnest.blogspot.com
One of my customers who bought Knitting Nature from me also said there were errors. It's such a beautiful book though, I can't keep in the shop. There's a wrap that is incredible. I like the idea of using proprotions from nature to design knitwear. Somehow it really makes sense to my inner knitter... thanks for your blog! I'm really enjoying the inspiration!
Posted by: Alison | July 15, 2006 at 01:33 PM