Thank you so very much for your insightful comments about YarnCo - you've just taken over a special place in my heart ;o) (seriously) ... while I live "around the corner" from them, I categorically REFUSE to give them any of my business.

oh, and, um, the BVH will definitely be adorable on wee one!
garsh - am I first?

I used to shop at the Yarn Company years ago when it was owned by Melissa Mathay. I had to gird myself to go in there because the atmosphere was so unfriendly. Sorry to hear that it hasn't changed. As an aside, I do find it more expensive than average, so that's another reason to avoid buying something there. Enjoy the hat. I'm sure it will be adorable.

What is your knittable projects quota? Thanks!

I share your feelings about yarn kits -- 'specially when the yarn is widely available like Aurora 8, and one might want to substitute colors, yarns, find it for a better price, etc. Perhaps different to kit it when the yarn is rare, imported, etc., or where the seller breaks up a lot of different skeins for you so you don't have to buy extra of a gazillion skeins, like the baby Tulip pattern, but even then I'd prefer CHOICE, to buy the yarn or just to buy the pattern!
Does look like fun, though -- especially given that I live in Da Midwest -- lots o' Viking heritage around here, ya hey!

If you didn't make the hair with the blonde and used red, then it could be a little Ginny Weasley hat to go with her brothers.

I love the hat, but I am not a kit person. It is just too much fun to change the yarn (though the Mermaid jacket is still a huge temptation).

That looks like so much fun!

That viking hat is hilarious! She will look darling in it. :)

Seanna Lea, that is an awesome idea!

And I totally agree, Cathy-Cate, when the kit has small amounts of lots of colors (like in the adorable baby Flore hat), it is a help to buy it like that instead of getting 6 skeins.

Hmmm, Johanna, for me to buy a pattern book I need to see at least three or four patterns that I could totally see myself knitting and then maybe a couple more that are interesting or intriguing possibilities. Sometimes I buy books that are full of inspiring patterns that I'll probably never knit (like Loop-d-Loop) but usually I've got to see some things in there that could really make it on my to-knit list.

That hat is going to be super cute. I think we'll have a penguin, a robot and an Ohm (bug-like creature from the movie Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind). Subject to change anytime until the fabric is cut, of course. :)

When the book comes out in your local library really stick it to them and borrow it!

When I was at their stitches west booth, they were happily selling patterns without the kit. Did you try and email them?

some great ideas! although I have been told the best fancy dress ever was a nightstand. cut out one head hole from a card board box. Paint up as a chest of drawers. Glue an alarm clock on one shoulder and a cup and saucer on the other and place one lamp shade on head. I was always terible at fancy dress.

I just adore the Viking hat! And minus the braids it's a hat for the winter...or even WITH the braids (if wee one is indeed challenged in the hair department!) And I'm with you. I detest kits. Let me make my own choices. I also quilt and sometimes a pattern is available with and without fabric so a person can have a choice. Can't wait to see the hat in use.

Like your philosophy when it comes to knitting shops and patterns. To my mind, knitting is not an elite activity. Knitters and knitting purveyors should be friendly, enabling, and a welcome spot of warmth and sanity in the world. (Having adorable children doesn't hurt, either.) Stick to your guns.

Like your philosophy when it comes to knitting shops and patterns. To my mind, knitting is not an elite activity. Knitters and knitting purveyors should be friendly, enabling, and a welcome spot of warmth and sanity in the world. (Having adorable children doesn't hurt, either.) Stick to your guns.

liam is too old to go trick or treating (he just turned 15), but he likes to dress up to hand out candy. he hasn't decided yet. he's too tall for his ring wraith costume any more, lol (last year you could see 3 inches of ankle, so it's definitely not going to work this year). sean keeps changing his mind. this is his last year (he just t urned 13). he wants to be harry potter. then not. then he wants to be some nutty video game character. then harry. then something else. i told him he needs to decide soon. (of course, it will help if i get my machine fixed! it's running, but just barely)

Oh that's so good to hear Christa! All of my visits to the store were before they had done their books. Maybe they had a different attitude about their patterns then.

you are a better person than i am...i haven't purchased anything of "theirs" since i was so poorly treated at their store.

Just to clarify - I believe Christa was talking about the Bella Knitting kit not Yarn Co.

Oh, darn. I was hoping that the Yarn Co had changed its ways. Well, it's nice to know that the Bella folks are willing to sell the patterns. Cause that baby viking pattern is very sweet, but toooo expensive!

I just about jumped out of my seat with excitement when I saw the photo -- Alison from the Blue Blog is knitting the hat I designed! This is so cool! And just so you know, we are happy to sell just the pattern, we are going to have a new website soon and many of the projects will be available as pattern-only. In the meantime, any requests like that can be made by contacting bella@bellaknitting -- we are very accommodating! :)

This free pattern is similiar, you'd just need to add in the braids. http://rsveverka.com/chileconyarne/?p=7
I just can't believe how rude some of the knitting shop owners can be. But then I guess sometimes there are rude knitting shoppers to deal with too. It's good to hear about the ones you find.

Hey thanks Sarah! The pattern really is great - very well written and funny too! I'm looking forward to knitting the hat. It's just tooo cute. And I'm so glad that you all will sell the patterns on their own too. It makes things much more accessible for everyone and cuts down on people photocopying patterns. Thanks for stopping by and saying hi - and thanks for the awesome pattern! :)

Absolutely, Lisa, there are definitely rude shoppers out there. And you never know if you might have just met up with a very nice shop owner who just had to deal with a very rude shopper before you. But I've heard the same complaints about Yarn Co. from many, many folks, so I don't think it was just an off day for them when I was there. Maybe someday they'll sell enough patterns in their books to change things in the store.

It's funny, because as I've been reading The Friday Night Knitting Club, all I can picture in my head is that Yarn Co. store upstairs uptown. And the people were so not like those women in the book that it sort of cracks me up!

Normally I just lurk here, but I had to comment on this post. :)

I loooove Vikings, and I think it's so cute that wee one is going to be a baby Viking! I can't wait to see her all dressed up come Halloween!

Like you, I had bookmarked the viking hat and tried VERY HARD to convince my kids to be a pair of vikings (1 girl, 1 boy). But they insist on being pirates. Oh well, at least I can knit eye patches, right?

That will be a very funny Halloween group, by the way. SpongeBob, ghost, and Viking! Do you dress up? My husband and I were told we had to be pirates, but I made us both Jolly Roger shirts (black shirt and I ironed on the skull and crossbones) and told them we'd be their flags!!

Besides being expensive, not terribly helpful and sort of snooty? The last time I walked into YarnCo I was looking for some 0s for sock needles. I'd broken one and didn't realize that they replaced them for free (wood - brittany). I asked the woman behind the counter because I couldn't find any 0s and she looked at me with this slightly scornful face and said "Zeros? They don't *make* needles in that size." and then turned away. Right. :) Thanks for your help. Luckily someone much nicer somewhere else let me know I could just email Brittany.

On a cheerier note that hat is adorable. I've been planning exciting ways to decorate/embarass-for-future/cute-ify (is that a word? definitely should be) my almost here baby.... now I've got one more way ;)

I'm sure the Viking Hat ensemble will be adorable, but as far as I'm concerned, ANY excuse to use Aurora 8 is a good one! (but sorry about the snooty salesfolk) have fun.

I'm sure the Viking Hat ensemble will be adorable, but as far as I'm concerned, ANY excuse to use Aurora 8 is a good one! (but sorry about the snooty salesfolk) have fun.

omg. she is gonna look so hilarious/adorable with those knitted braids. what a good idea!

Please, please, please tell me you're going to post pics!

I just have to see your little viking.

I want that hat!

When I first started knitting (Jan 2006) everything I read, and everyone I met, told me knitters are the friendliest most welcoming people you'll ever meet. And every time I have been in our LYS they have gone out of their way to help me.

I am sorry to hear Yarn Co doesn't employ these true knitters I have come across. Or for that matter, any of these commenters.

As someone addicted to baby hats...THIS IS SO CUTE! I haven't ever seen it before. The wee one will look adorable.

I'm so glad to hear that I'm not the only one who had a negative experience with Yarn Co. -- I usually have to have a very clear idea of exactly what I want before I go in, dash in, grab it, and pay, because I feel so unwelcome when I'm there! It's too bad, because they sell beautiful yarn and some great patterns.

I second the Aurora 8 fans, though, and all the people who can't wait to see the finished product. I so greatly admire your work and am jealous that you have three kids who are so eager for you to knit for them (or two who are eager and one who can't protest yet...)!!

I too had to make the Viking hat when I saw another wee one wearing it on another blog. I made the hat and it is awesome. I don't have anyone to give it to presently so it sits happily in my craft room for my enjoyment. Please post a picture of your little one wearing it when you are done.

When you said you were making a viking hat for the wee one I immediately thought you were making the chicken viking hat http://alohamedia.net/sarah/hats/chicken-viking ! Yours will be much cuter, if not as hilarious.

That hat is so funny, Ellen! :0D

That is a hilarious and perfect hat for wee one.

I loved your title today, oh, clever one.

Yes, YarnCo has a reputation as the one store you don't want to go to. You have to wonder how they're still in business, when they are consistently rude to everyone. They act as though they don't want to deal with 'ordinary' people (like me), and would prefer if only extremely 'monied' people patronized their store. I will gladly drive to New Jersey if I had to, not to shop in their store.

Yes, YarnCo has a reputation as the one store you don't want to go to. You have to wonder how they're still in business, when they are consistently rude to everyone. They act as though they don't want to deal with 'ordinary' people (like me), and would prefer if only extremely 'monied' people patronized their store. I will gladly drive to New Jersey if I had to, not to shop in their store.

I can't believe I have to wait 2 months to see this! Now all I hear in my head is Elmer Fudd singing...kill the wabbit...kill the wabbit...I'm not even sure if that is the same cartoon as the Bugs Bunny opera one, but whenever I see vikings, I think of that. Ok. Enough rambling.

Just make sure you check on errata on Yarn Co. patterns--there's been a few.

I have a problem with Kim Hargreaves for the same reason! I wish she just sold her patterns, especially since the yarn is only Rowan.

Oh, I'm with ya Carol. Love the Kim Hargreaves designs, but there's no way I'm gonna buy the yarn too. And from England! I have that yarn in my stash!

I bought both the boy and girl versions of the Viking hat kits for my twins. I just finished the boy version and it was an easy knit. Though I do agree that it would be nice if they give you the option of buying the kit or the pattern.

While the yarn is nice and all, I could have easily used some of my handspun. They did include a extended pattern sheet for larger sizes (adult) with the two kits I bought which was nice...but something I could do on my own as it is an easy pattern to size up.

As for the Yarn Co. I have a funny story about my visits there. The first time I went in I was in jeans and a t-shirt having just spent the day tooling around the city with a friend. I was ignored and when I asked a question about a yarn and suitable pattern I was actually looked up and down and given the shortest answer possible.

The second time I went in (I figured I would give them another shot at my business) I was on my way to my husbands office Christmas party and dressed very nicely...with my best jewlery on :o) I was given the best service I could have asked for. Having remembered my first visit I decided not to buy anything and left.

Makes me sad to think that there are knitters out there who own a business and treat other knitters like that.

The first and last time I went to Yarn Co, I watched a manager (owner?) chew out an employee -- at the register, in front of several customers. It was in such poor taste I haven't been able to set foot there again.

(Not quite as bad as my experience with Downtown Yarns -- a store whose selection is quite excellent, for the size! -- while shopping there, I saw a yarn I didn't recognize. I took out my notebook to jot down the specs, figuring I could compare it to some projects I had filed away before I came back to make my purchase. As I scribbled, the store's proprietor stormed up to me and demanded to know what I was writing down. When I told her I was just writing down some information about the yarn so I could check it against patterns, she told me she "didn't allow" notetaking of that sort. I guess she thought maybe I was the competition? Nope -- just an ex-customer.)

Gil likes Spongebob too, ALAS, I don't know how he discovered him. We don't watch him at home and I do not encourage it. I'm encouraging instead Boots the Monkey which he likes also, so then I can dress up my little girl who should be about 2 month old as Dora...I'm due in January and Purim is often in March. Love the viking hat!!!