My Homemade Hat

If you read my earlier post called 'The Joy Of Needle Crafts', then you know that I absolutely love crocheting (crow-shay-ing) and knitting. (And don't forget sewing!) If you haven't read it, I'd recommend doing that before you read this post. Click here to go to 'The Joy Of Needle Crafts'.

This project was my 2nd project. Technically, it's 3rd, considering I finished it third, but I started it second so I call it second. My first knitting project wasn't very good. It was all ragged on the edges, and some places it was wide, some places it wasn't, and the worst part I hate, it has this enormous knot on one side of it. I accidentally got the yarn tangled and ended up with a big fat knot. It's so poofy! But that's ok. It's not supposed to be perfect! Just a first project so I can get the hang of it.

Before I get to talking about the hat, let me tell you some previous projects I've done. Trust me, they're not bad at all. In fact, I'm very proud of myself. :-) It's a good feeling to say that you made the scarf that you're wearing, and the hat.

My third project was a red fluffy scarf for my dad, Erik Heels. (He has his own blog, www.erikjheels.com) I made it for him for Christmas! Red is his favorite color, and like I said, it is very poofy. Just take some poofy yarn, knit it together into tight stitches- now you've got ultimate fluffiness! Perfect for those cold winter days.

I just finished a blue scarf for my mother, and she says she's going to wear it to my brother, Sam, his band concerts. Well, not really concerts, they're often parades. Once more, I made it pretty long, so you can wear it multiple different ways. Unlike my first scarf, I ran out of yarn.. yeah. Bummer. Note for future reference: Always buy more yarn than you think you need so you don't run out!

Back to the hat. This hat was extremely hard to make. First, I had to cast on approx. 70 stitches onto these needles that have a cord that connect them together, so when you knit, it will form a circular shape. If I wanted to make a headband or an ear warmer, I'd just cast of after several rows. But this is a hat, so that means I need to decrease my stitches. Decreasing means to take away stitches, and when you get down to about 10, the stitches are very hard to work with. That's where the 3 double-sided needles come in. What I would do was put a couple on each needle, except for one. That would be my free needle so I can knit. I would keep decreasing until there is no more! Which was very hard, because the needles I was using were very thin, and the stitches were very tight. But I managed. It took a little while to make.. but I like knitting! It's fun, relaxing, and you can talk and socialize while you do it, that is, if you can knit with out looking, or with your eyes closed. Take a look at the picture at the top of this post! :-)

If you ever want to knit, go for it! It's a great skill to have, and once you get the hang of it, they make great gifts, or keep them for yourself! When someone asks who made it, you'll feel proud to say that you did. Knit away! :-) Be on the lookout for my latest project- a book bag! Coming soon, in June!