I have been making a lot of hats lately. I have liked the feel of knitting in the round, and the satisfaction that comes with the last decrease before the top of the hat is complete.
I really like this hat. I've made these three, plus another that I gave my niece. The pattern is from Cathy Carron's "Hip Knit Hats," and is called the Mari. I absolutely LOVE the yarn used on the two blue ones. It is Bazic Wool by Classic Elite Yarns. The orange one is made from Ella Rae Classic yarn.
These are simple rolled-brim baby hats I made from the most fantastically soft baby alpaca yarn. It is from The Plymouth Yarn Company.
This hat is a variation of the pattern "Kim's Hats" in Joelle Hoverson's "Last-Minute Knitted Gifts." It is made from a Lorna's Hand-Dyed Yarn called Swirl DK in the color Seaside. This yarn was an impulse buy from Metaphor Yarns in Shelburne Falls, MA. I also found the baby alpaca yarn there.
These hats represent a form of knitter's torture to me. I have been trying to work out this pattern for a while. It is the Pagoda Cap from Morehouse Farm, designed by Evi Westmore. I used Ella Rae Classic yarn for both of them. I made the orange one first. My five year old can barely force this onto his head, the patterned band being way too tight. For the pink one, I used a larger size needle and tried to knit loosely. It still feels tight, although my eight year old has stretched it out and claims it fits her fine. I remind you, this is a pattern for an ADULT hat. I am now in the process of trying for a third time. I have the top of the hat to go, but here is what it looks like so far. I so want this to fit a grownup head. I've used some inexpensive acrylic/wool blend by Patons called Shetland Chunky. I'm hoping the thicker yarn will help make this work.
The final hat is from a pattern I found on Soulemama. It is a nice hat for when it is not-too-cold/not-too-hot. I made it with Ecologique Pure Merino Nuance. I love the subtle color change in the yarn. I made it as a gift for my mother-in-law's birthday.
I'm hoping to move away from hats and into socks, fingerless gloves, and some knitted stuffed animals. Winter is coming and there will be ample time to sit in front of the fireplace and pick up my knitting.