Pour tricoter un beret...

I drove all around L.A. today in search of a new knitting project, but I didn't have much luck. I was looking for the new Rowan Ribbon Twist pattern book and yarn because I saw pictures of the collection online and it is absolutely gorgeous. Also, I've been hearing about all the chic and trendy knitting stores around the city, but I had yet to visit them. So I thought, what better way to spend a rainy day then in knitting stores!

I first went to Wild Fiber in Santa Monica where they had the book and the yarn, but it was fairly overpriced. It was fun to browse the store though, since they had an extensive selection of yarns. My mom would have really enjoyed it. She was the one who taught me to knit and got me hooked. It's such a relaxing yet fulfilling way to pass the time. I can't even watch television anymore without knitting because otherwise I feel like I'm being completely unproductive.

My second stop was Knit Cafe in Melrose. I'd been meaning to check it out because I read in a few magazines that it's supposed to be a really fun store where people can relax, socialize and knit. I'll admit the store was very quaint, with sofa chairs and a coffee bar, but they didn't have much stock. I guess it's more of a venue for knitting as opposed to a place to shop.

So after a long afternoon of battling LA traffic to get to only two stores, I came out with nothing. At least I was able to see up close the yarn I wanted, and now I can order it online for cheaper. There's so many projects in the book I want to make, but I think I will start with the Mercy beret:


Photo from Rowan's Ribbon Twist Collection by Kim Hargreaves.

It seems pretty simple, and if this weather keeps up I'll definitely need a hat. The yarn is a beautiful wool twisted with acrylic "ribbon" (hence the name Ribbon Twist). I want to use the Rabble 118 color which is a deep brown with silver and blue ribbon.

I should probably finish the projects I'm currently working on, though, before I begin a new one. I'm almost finished with the Halle dress from Rowan's The Next Big Thing, and I also started making a scarf out of this beautiful Adrienne Vittadini mohair blend, called Fiora. It won't take long at all because it's just garter stitch the whole way, but the yarn gives the illusion that it is much more elaborate.