My newest project was making a baby hat for Jack. I had never knit in the round before and needed some needles as well as 100% cotton yarn. For knitters who have never been to a yarn store and always go to your local craft store, you have got to try it at least once. You will pay more for the yarn, but the selection and quality is well worth it. I figured that moving to the suburbs from the city would mean great yarn stores all over the place, but I am not so sure that is the case. My first step to locate a yarn store was an obvious one: Google. I did a search and found 2 stores within 25 minutes of me. One didn't have a website, the other's site was as blog and I wanted a little more info before going on a 25 minute journey. I found one other store that did have a website, looked promising, but was 30 minutes away.

So then I start thinking, maybe I just go to my trusted yarn store in the city, Knitorious, which is 45 minutes away. I might as well go the little extra and know that I will walk away with what I want. I was going to the city on Sunday anyway, so I decided to wait until then. In the mean time, I wanted to get some practice yarn and needles to get used to the pattern. Local hostpitals take baby hats for donations and I figured I could contribute to the cause.

I make my way to Michaels only to find that out of two huge walls full of yarn, they have ONE that is 100% cotton. (it is recommended that things made for babies are 100% cotton). A little frustrating, but at least they have some. I chose my yarn and make my way over to the needles, where more frustration awaited me. They only have two sizes in the double pointed needles. ARGH. Since neither is even close the size needle I need, I make the dreadful decision to go to Walmart, and on a Saturday no less. So after parking in the back of the packed parking lot and waddling my way in (can't help but waddle at 8 1/2 months pregnant), I find that they also do not carry the needles I need. They have one size, it is aluminum (I wanted wood or bamboo) and it is the wrong size. ARGH again. I still bought them though, because at this point, I just wanted to work on my project.

I am happy to say that despite the fact that I couldn't find what I needed, The hats turned out pretty cute and I am happy that I can put them to use. I did go to Knitorious on Sunday and found exactly what I wanted, and even stocked up a little while I was there. I have yet to visit any of the stores that are close to me- maybe I am afraid of the disappointment that may follow. Regardless, I will make a trip to them soon and report what I find.