FO

Finished Object, that is!

I finished these baby items over a week ago, but I wanted to wait until they were delivered before I posted.

Last year, I knitted a tomato beanie hat for Anna. I found the pattern on Knitchicks and got all excited because it was free. I was pleased with it, but it didn't look like the photo on the site (pic on left is from the pattern) and I couldn't work out why. The decrease sloped the wrong way, but it was the first time I'd tried SSK, so I thought it was me.

Having made my socks, I now know my SSK was correct, so I decided since Eleanor and Bruce had arrived, to try again.

Here is my first effort (right) - again, following the pattern exactly but not looking like the photo. Can you see how the slope is in the wrong direction? On closer examination, I realised that the photo didn't match the instructions at all. the instructions generated a pattern based on right-angled triangles (with the right angle top right) while the photo they posted was more like inverted isosceles triangles.

I realised I needed to introduce the colour changes at a different spot and also start the SSK decreases further down towards the point of the leaf. Anyway, the upshot was I tried a third hat, changing the pattern, to include my modifications. Et voilà!

OK, so it's not EXACTLY like the picture in the pattern but it's a lot closer than when I followed the pattern stitch for stitch. Because I started the decrease earlier though, it's not quite as long as the original. Good job Bruce has a small head, that's all I can say!

Of course, I couldn't leave it so close to perfection (ha ha), so I ripped the top off of the second hat and reknit it, with a few extra red rows to get the height back. (remodeled second hat on left, prototype third hat on right) .

I am really really really pleased with this - I feel now like a knitter, since I've been able to alter a pattern to make it fit the photo (but why oh why was it wrong to start with?!)

Details:
Pattern: Tomato Baby Beanie from Knitchicks
Yarn: RYC Cashsoft Aran in Poppy (010) and Bud (006) (one 50g ball of Poppy is not enough to do two hats (that's another story), but two balls is enough for 3)
Needles: 4.5mm DPNs (Addi Turbos - I love 'em!)
Modifications: Yes! I can remember though, and have written them down.

The other items are some socks for Bruce made with leftover yarn from my own socks. My hand is in there for scale! Aren't they cute?


Details:
Pattern: Megan Humprey's Nate
Yarn: Opal Hundertwasser 1432
Needles: 2.5mm DPNs
Modifications: None

And, although I haven't finished the blanket (I know, I know...) I couldn't resist last night and cast on for my first ever Monkey sock. The colours look awful, because I took this with my phone (no flash) but I'm really enjoying the pattern!