What size was that?

I have had a very interesting adventure this week. I like to knit. I have had some kind of project going during most of our time here. You'd think that I had ventured into the French knitting world based on that last statement. NOT SO! I have purchased all of my yarn and needles in the US and imported them. It hasn't really crossed my mind to even look for stuff here ... until this week.

I recently finished a baby blanket for Dig's Whoopsie. She was so thrilled with it, and so bummed about the lack of fun choices for baby hats here, that he asked me to make a hat for her to tke to the hospital for Whoopsie's soon-to-be-born head. No problem, I said, thinknig that Icould run out to the fabric store and find a wealth of yarn and needles.

There I go thinking again.

I did find some fun yarn. I did not find the needles that I needed. The selectino was not great, and I had no idea what I was looking for. In the US, the needles are generally marked with the American size as well as the metric size. Here it is all metric. Again, no problem, right?

NO! I had patterns that gave only the American size of needles. I bought some that I thought would work, and was wrong. I hit the Internet to figure out what I did need. Then I sent an e-mail to a local knitter that I know. Between those 2 resources, I was armed and ready to go.

Today, I went to a store that specializes in yarn and sewing supplies, but NOT fabric. The lovely ladies in the store took a look at my notes,and helped me find the exact needles that I wanted. We had a little trouble with the crochet hook though. Evidently the French do not use the size noted in the pattern. I chose a size larger and will make it work.

I am psyched to get started on the hats for Whoopsie! I am exicted that I found what I wanted. And I am bummed that I didn't go looking for French knitting needles 2 years ago. Imagine what kinds of projects I could have done if I had shopped local!