This photos is of how far I got with the Beloved Baby Bonnet, a pattern I've really wanted to knit for months. Isn't it funny how sometimes something you're really excited about just doesn't work out? It's like coveting an expensive dress in a store window, and you walk by and fantisize about how great you'd look in it, how happy and confident you'd feel. Only weeks later, when you finally decide to go try it on, it looks terrble on you and the spell is broken. That's pretty much what happened here. I loved the bonnet so much, I thought it could do no wrong, so I ignored that it is knitted with laceweight yarn on 2mm (US 0) needles. Or that there are large chunks of moss stitch, which is a slow stitch to knit. Or that because my wee one is 8 months and I'd like it to fit the rest of the winter, I was knitting the largest size. Did I mention the laceweight, on 2mm needles? My tapestry needle is bigger than that.
I frogged it. I wasn't even that crazy about the yarn I chose (Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud, in raspberry). The fuzziness wasn't doing anyone any favours.
If I knit this again (and I'm feeling a little crazy when it comes to this bonnet, I just might) I would go up to 3mm needles and fingering weight yarn. I'm not sure I'd keep the moss stitch, it's a slow stitch to knit and my knitting time is at a premium, so I might do reverse stockinette, which would still have lots of texture (but I'm open to suggestions!). I need a bit of a break from it, but I'm hoping to tackle it again.
18 comments:
I know how you feel about those teensy tiny needles! You may want to try to learn Turkish Purling for the moss stitch. Once you get the hang of it, the k1p1 goes A LOT faster!
Give it another go in fingering weight! It's such a cute pattern, Lila needs that bonnet!
There was a time when I loved knitting on size 0 needles. That was back in college where I had a boring desk job and plenty of time to spare. Now, I have a toddler and another baby on the way and I can't even think about size 0 needles.
Definitely do it with fingering weight yarn! I think it might even look better with a thicker weight.
Definitely try it in fingering weight. Such a cute bonnet but US 0 needles? OW!
Hate when that happens with a project! But I also vote for fingering weight and ditching the moss stitch -- the bonnet would be so cute on Lila!
I personally love knitting with itty bitty needles, I don't know why! I do get that itch though, that "this is taking too long, why did I pick this size" itch.
If it's any consolation, what you had done looked really nice :)
You describe this experience perfectly. I have a feeling that you're going to enjoy knitting your bonnet the second time around!
i love the picot edging! and, honestly, i think this might look great in a slightly chunkier yarn. maybe of the kettle dyed variety. and with a reverse stockinette base! (although, i do really like the moss texture. but i don't think reverse stockinette would detract)
Are there any super soft wools agreeable to a baby's skin that you could use along with, say, size 6 U.S. needles?
:( But yeah, I probably would have ripped it, too. With precious knitting time, why work on something you're not enjoying?
I think the fuzziness is what really does it for me - you're doing all that hard work for seed stitch, and you're not even seeing the texture because it's lost in the fuzz. I agree that a slightly larger (even sock weight) yarn and bigger needles will do well. Something with good stitch definition.
We have all been in that frog pond at some point. In fact I was in that very same pond just before Christmas. And, I expect to be there sometime in the future. I think that pond gets many a visit. And as for the teeny needles- OY!! They can produce some really magical things but boy it can be really tedious getting there. Have a good one!
It is a very lovely pattern! It's sad when that happens. But you know, stepping back from a failed knit for a few weeks (months, and in my case, sometimes years) heals the frustration and it suddenly becomes "well, why didn't I knit this earlier! This is great!"
Uuuuh I can feel your pain! I hate frogging!
And for the moss stitch...it's so pretty but so slow! When I design something and I want it to have that kind of texture I usually use double moss stitch (I think it's called that way), I feel like it's faster even though I'm not sure that's scientifically proven!
That is such a cute pattern, but I completely understand the frustration! It's happened to me a bunch of times. I actually just completed this cowl pattern, and I love it! http://www.knittingtoknowewe.com/patterns/blue-sky-royal-petites-pattern-kits/
Sometimes, it's just not meant to be. I totally know that feeling! Lila would look awfully cute in it, though...
If I were you I would just make the smallest size and bump it up with a thicker yarn and bigger needles.
I have knit a vintage kitten bonnet over and over for babies and even bumped it up to a tween size for my niece but using bigger needles and a different yarn than called for by the pattern. And if you don't have the time to do moss stitch then don't ; ) afterall you are the queen of improv.
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