Seeking Perfection
Yes...
Seeking the path of perfection can lead you right into a trap.
I'm sure you know what I mean...
I've been trapped trying to complete my cardigan over and over again - that certain brown Aran that refuses to be completed (3 seems to be a magic number for this sweater - 3 times reworking the arms, 3 times reworking the shoulders AND NOW the third reworking of the border).
Someday, I will live that dream and
Someday…
~
Instead of talking about my someday and chasing that illusive joy, I wanted to post about a more accessible kind of joy - the joy that is attained by just the right combination of elements...
A brilliantly designed hat paired with the warmth and softness of Merino & Alpaca:
And the excitement that comes with completing a small project - that 'charge' of instant gratification:
This project is exactly what I needed to refresh my spirits again.
I can't tell you how wonderful it was to work on something that I didn't want to re-design or alter. In fact, I didn't feel the need to change anything. The Habitat pattern is perfection from beginning to end (well written, easy to follow, beautiful charts / fonts / photography & presentation).
And if you happened to be stuck in a difficult knitting 'patch' or dilemma like me, I would prescribe this pattern as the antidote immediately!
However, I did change something minor - the recommended needle size for both the cast on and ribbing. Since I chose a yarn that was an alpaca / merino blend and not 100% wool, I wanted to ensure the ribbing was going to have enough memory (I cast on with size 6 DPNS and went down to size 4s for the ribbing).
What more can I say?
I love the style of this hat, how it fits perfectly in all the right places and the luxurious warmth it's going to provide in the dead of Winter:
~
In case anyone was wondering where I've been all these months or how I spent my Summer, I've been going to the gym with Gary non-stop, trying to get back into shape.
Ever since we moved to Seattle many years ago, the pounds having just been piling & piling on. I'm not sure if it's the weather that caused it (that perfect nesting weather that makes you want to eat lots of comfort food, cuddle up on the sofa with your knitting and fall deeply into hibernation)?
Hopefully you can forgive my blog absence. I haven't had as much time to knit, blog or fuss with the camera as I would have liked. I'm just happy to complete a small project and share it with you.
I guess it's back to that cardigan border for me
The hat, as I've already said, looks amazing on you. I love the yarn & the self portrait :) If only I could take such amazing self portraits :P
You really should try koolhaas, it's brilliant, amazing, best looking hat I've knit. :)
Preita said...
October 6, 2008 4:17 PM
Hmm.. we know that bit about perfection alright. Maybe that's why Mum never got around to finish any decent piece of knitting! We're till waiting for our socks, eh?
Love your photos and your knits!
We like orange!
Ginger said...
October 7, 2008 12:47 AM
well, the hat is surely perfection. Also a perfect photo. And advice from one who knows: why try to finish a project if you don't like knitting it? remember: there is no knitting police or mafia. (so you wil not be found with concret socks if you frog your knitting)
happy knitting!
astrid said...
October 7, 2008 6:42 AM
it is great and a lovely dusky orange. i like that a lot. and i agree on every word you said about the pattern.
knititch said...
October 7, 2008 6:50 AM
Welcome back dear fellow. Lovely, lovely hat!
Knitty Pilgrim said...
October 8, 2008 9:08 AM
Don't forget the dividing when you have conquered it, it's a cardigan after all. ;-)
projektleiterin said...
October 8, 2008 2:10 PM
Ah Kent, we need help! We keep seeing updated posts from your Blog on our summary but when we click on the link the page keeps showing the last post on 'Seeking Perfection'. How do we fix this? Maybe we got your link wrong now :( Mum is upset with us for playing about with her bookmarks... eeee....
Ginger said...
October 10, 2008 6:26 PM
Kent it looks fantastic! Love the profile photo too. If I get one on my needles, and I think I will, I'll let you know.
tonya
Tonya Doughty said...
October 23, 2008 8:19 AM
Oh wow! Beautiful work as usual (great photos as well).
When I 'hit the wall' with a project I always find something easy/inspiring to do until I'm ready to pick up the problem again. I just came back for a knitting retreat and learning different knitting methods with the Yarn Harlot. We were getting stressed out and she said "do you want to do a few lines (she meant using our usual method)? You know, to take the edge off?"
Mo said...
November 10, 2008 10:48 PM
Gorgeous hat and your photos are KILLING ME!
Adrian said...
November 15, 2008 2:56 PM
Waiting patiently for a new post! :)
MC said...
December 17, 2008 6:51 AM
Beautiful hat. I love the second photo, the colours, and the texture. Think I'm going to try to get a hold of that yarn and try to make one for my beloved. Beautiful knitting!
life in yonder said...
January 26, 2009 8:17 AM
Hi Kent,
I love your beret and am making it, but need to make it larger. I've tried upping the needle size, but also think I need to increase the actual stitch count. So if I increase the bottom band to 110, what would you consider to be the correct number of increases to be on he pancake section? Also, what do you suggest on the decreases.
I am making it first in the size you recommend, and I love the way you have stitched the provisional stitches with the knitting stitches to create the thicker, more refined headband portion.
It's beautiful beret with very clear instructions.
Thank you for posting it - and I hope you can help me (the knitting kneophyte) figure this sizing issue.
Regards,
Elaine in Colorado
Anonymous said...
July 12, 2009 6:07 PM