Hats Off to Unoriginality

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, The Yarn Harlot
Blue Moon Fiber Arts
Knit Picks
Skacel Addi Needles

November 30, 2007

Dear Sirs and Mesdames,

I thought I would be finished making An Unoriginal Hat, this morning. Blocking and posing it so I could snap some pictures and show it off before it goes to its intended recipient for Chanukah next week. And just as the finish line came into sight, with only the final decreasing rows to complete, I realized this wasn't going to work, and I must start over. Though I am currently hatless, I was, nevertheless, delighted with most of the process and since I will be waiting a few days for my new needles to arrive I would like to take this opportunity to write to you, who all play such a vital role in this project, and share my thoughts on the process.

To Ms. Pearl-McPhee, our favorite harlot and knitting hero, I say thank you. Thank you for your words, thank you for your humor and thank you for your "go to it"ness which brought me this fun and funky pattern right to my Bloglines doorstep (Bloorstep?) In an effort to retain its unoriginalness, (and because I had nary a bulky bit of yarn in my stash) I even used the same yarn and color way as you. You are the best.

To Blue Moon Fiber Arts I also say thank you. You are artists, indeed. I have been lusting after your yarns for some time now and the aforementioned Harlot's pattern finally pushed me over the edge. Not only is the Leticia lovely to knit with and the Rooster Rock colorway divine, I am practically swooning over the STR lightweight I allowed myself in the Nodding Violet colorway. I am now looking for that perfect pattern which will do it justice.

To Knit Picks, my main source for needle goodness, I say I'm so sorry. You let me down. I can, and do, wax poetic over your needles. Your Nickel Plated, Harmonies, Options and Fixed are all amazing. The tips, slicks and joins can't be beat. Your cables, to die for. Without you I would never haven taken the sock knitting plunge. Two socks on a pair of circs? True Magic. And when, occasionally, the cables have failed me, you have sent me out replacements quickly and with a virtual smile. But your sizing, oh your sizing... I sent you an email just recently requesting you give millimeter sizing along with your US sizing, but alas. The US sizing is so arbitrary and though this is NOT YOUR FAULT, you do perpetuate the problem by sticking with it. Imagine my surprise when the pattern was printed, the yarn balled and I check my needles for the requisite 7mm and the were NONE TO BE FOUND. Oh, I tried to make it in the 6.5mm but I am not a loose knitter nor a tight one, as you will soon understand. Just a knitter who knits to gauge. Woe is me. At about 6 rows in I knew that the 6.5mm needles would never work. So off I frogged and tried the next needle size up. 8mm! Why on earth do needles sizes jump from 6.5 to 8mm in on fell swoop. So I thought, I can knit tight. But I can't and the hat was too big. And thus I was forced to defect to the Addi side.

And finally to Skacel, I'm counting on you. I just ordered a pair of 7mm, 40cm (16") Addi circulars and they weren't cheap. But that won't matter if they live up to their reputation. I hope they come soon, for all our sakes.

Best regards,

Tante J