I am covering two topics in this post:
- How the knitted hat I made from yarn I discovered in my stash turned out too small (follow up to blog post Hot Mess of Yummy Yarn); and
- The two awesome packages I discovered in my mail upon returning from vacation in Northern California.
THE ITTY-BITTY HAT
It been a while since I’ve knitted a hat and I appeared to have forgotten that I have to alter the pattern I use in order to accommodate my head (I have a lot of hair and perhaps a larger than average head).
Here’s the yarn I started with that I re-discovered while tidying up my yarn stash (two skeins intertwined):

Here is the hat in progress – I love getting to the double point needles section of knitting the hat:

And here is the itty-bitty hat (too small for my head):
The hat is cute and I guess will be enjoyed someday by someone with a smaller head!
I do have leftover yarn from the first skein and I’ve already began knitting another hat (this time with the pattern modified for my head) with the end of the first skein and then into the second skein. So I’ll see how that one comes out and if I can model it for you (or if it will also become a gift…).
FUN SURPRISES IN THE MAIL
Speaking of gifts, I recently returned from a long weekend visiting friends in Northern California (and while I was there I nearly finished knitting the first too small hat). When I picked up my mail on return to Denver, I discovered not one but TWO awesome surprises in the mail!
SURPRISE ONE was from my blogging buddy in the Netherlands Emmely @Infectious Stitches filled with delicious Dutch treats:

She also included a handmade artist roll for my colored pencils – I can do some coloring on the go!

Emmely recently released/published a new foundation paper piecing pincushion pattern and I got to be a pattern-tester on it. You can check out her blog post about it – New Directions: Pattern tester makes!. I did not post about it because I was not over excited about the boring version I made of the pincushion and I want to make a better version before I post about it. I do not like foundation paper piecing so we thought I would be a good tester. Turned out it was easy (and a very well written pattern) and I whipped through making a (boring color choice) pincushion. The other pattern tester and Emmely made beautiful pincushions (as you will see if you check out her post I have linked above).
Oh and in case you are curious, I’ve already opened some of the Dutch treats (yum).
SURPRISE TWO in the mail was a wonderful collection of fabric scraps from my blogging buddy Chela @Chela’s Colchas y Mas.

I know I will figure something fun to make with these fabric someday!
It was a nice way to return from “holiday”. I will share some of my adventures in Northern California in a future post or two.
That hat is sooooo cute!
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Thanks so much!
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I hope you enjoy everything, it was fun to think of what items to send you! With my pencils I found that I could fit 2 per slot so you can bring up to 24 colours on a trip if you want a lot of choice.
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Oh! I was filling the slots and I did not realize – yay! Now I will have lots of choices! Going to bring it with me on a little upcoming road trip :-). I will report back on my coloring activities!
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I am already looking forward to it!
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Ooh lovely surprises. Pretty hat, I hope the second one fits.
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Thanks so much and I am now knitting the modified pattern so fingers crossed 🙂
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It’s a lovely hat, maybe a nice Christmas present for a child or teenager
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Thanks Helen and that is a great idea, I know someone will enjoy it 🙂
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I also have a big head and lots of hair. I had the same issue with my first hats. I hope your next hat fits and that you will model it for us!
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Thank you so much larger head/hair sister :-).
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Always fun to receive such yummy treats in a surprise snail mail package – both literally and not! BTW: I recognize the last fabric on the right from Chela’s gift…
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It is and we do have some generous blogging sisters!
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Amen to that!
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The hat looks amazing, wish I knew how to Knit. and what great gifts you received, love the pencil holder.
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Thank you and trust me if I can learn to knit, you can learn to knit! It is very fun and perhaps someday I will expand to other patterns, ha! 🙂
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What a sweet little hat! It will be perfect for a wee little.
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It will be, I know there are a lot of heads out there it would work for 🙂
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Those colors are beautiful and so vibrant in your hat, I love color! What good friends to send so many goodies.
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Thanks so much!
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The colors of the hat screams happy. It will be loved and enjoyed I am sure by someone soon. And how sweet to receive such lovely gifts from your friend in the Netherlands. You are so loved my friend. 🙂
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Thanks so much! I feel pretty blessed, hugs!
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That is a really pretty hat – so bright and cheery! Sorry it doesn’t fit, but as you say it will be enjoyed by someone. Is your new one the same yarn? Yay for happy surprise mail!
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Thanks so much! Yes my new one is with the same yarn and I am using the rest of the first skein (just a little left) and the second skein. 🙂
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Can’t wait to see it!
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What a rich and colourfuil post.
The hat is gorgeous. I hope you weren’t too disappointed that it did not fit — lucky you can knit another one.
With all those yummy Dutch treats and gorgeous fabrics you are in for stitching-feasting time.
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I am and I’ve already nibbled on several of the treats and I’ve played with the fabrics. I am working on a bigger hat now, thanks 🙂
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I read your words on “hat too small” and then looked at it and said to myself “tea cosy” 🙂
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Tea Cosy! Perfect!!! 🙂
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How awesome! Coming home to treats and Fabric. A great Day!
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Well, the hat is beautiful, just not yours 😀
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Thanks so much 🙂
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