Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No
It seemed like a good plan at the time. It really did. The lovely Lauren, she who is kind enough to model for me so often, needs a hat. We discussed hats and the colors and shapes in which hats can be made. We measured. I marveled at the size of her head (really, it’s 2 inches smaller than mine, I’m so jealous). I swatched. I cast on. I knit.
Then…then I realized that the thing on my needles sucked. It wasn’t ‘a little rough.’ It wouldn’t ‘all come out when blocked.’ It didn’t need ‘just a few more rows to look right.’ It just wasn’t good. At all. I was going to just rip and pretend it never happened. I was, in fact, quite proud of myself for deciding to rip now rather than after doing another five or six rows just to make sure. Then I remembered that total and complete failure makes fine blog fodder. Shameless I know, but that’s how it is. So, without further ado…the first two inches of a really crappy hat.
Don’t worry Lauren, it’s getting ripped, I wouldn’t do that to you!
Now this is actually an instructive example. There is nothing wrong with the yarn. There is nothing wrong with that cable. It’s just that the two together don’t work (at least not on that needle size). The yarn is a bit too fuzzy and rustic and thick to work with that cable. It just doesn’t look polished. It doesn’t have the drape I want. It’s clunky.
I’m not tossing the yarn. It’s a perfectly fine yarn and will look good if used with a different stitch. I actually have a plan for it that I will reveal later. I’m just ditching this combo.
Actually, I’m not even ditching the cable. I kind of love the cable. It just needed a different yarn. I’m thinking this one. Isn’t that better?
Pretty cable in the second yarn! What yarn is that?
I just did an audible “Ooooo!” when I saw the blue-grey version, so I’m thinking you’re on the right track…
PS: love the grey wool, but again, your instinct was correct on the combo! Can’t wait to see what you do use it for!
I agree that the second hat shows off the cable much more, but I sorta liked the first one. ; )
Suggestion/request – I would love to see you design a hat or two with fold up brims. I look better in a hat that has more substance around the face. I know that I can add on a ribbing or something, but you have such a good eye for matching patterns that I’d like to see what you would do to add ‘more’ around the face. Sometimes a 2 x 2 ribbing is the right thing, but other times a smaller (or larger) ribbing might be better or a different variety of ribbing would suit. Just a thought …
Maybe I don’t know anything but I liked the first one. I like chunky! I trust you completely though hunter. Whatever you come up with will be stunning! Can’t wait!
I want something all light and sproingy and with good drape. That one would have just sat there, sullenly, like a dead frog. Plan 3 (or 4 or 5 or whatever we’re up to now) will be much better!