Beanies, Balaclavas, Berets.. this week is all about hats.
Mostly using no more than 100g of yarn, and stretchy enough to be a bit casual with sizing, hats are fun to make, quick to finish, super to give and most importantly, great at keeping heads (also ears) and the rest of us warm. Here’s our shortlist of 9 toppers, with a few extras added in the notes because well, 9 was just too few. Needless to say there are lots more that we love, so if you fancy a chat about our long list, pop in and we can talk hats with you for as the hind legs last on your donkey.
St. James by Frankie Hughes We love most things that Frankie designs but we especially love this hat for how easy it is to make and how well it suits so many heads. Choose a standard DK like Bo Peep or WYS BFL or fluff it up by doing a Guernsey+mohair comboGarter Ear Flap Hat by Purl Soho A total favourite amongst Clapton knitters – super fun to knit and takes care of ear warming as well has head covering, and that pointy bit on the top – too delicious! Yarn-wise, try the WYS BFL, the Dehesa or 2 strands of Penelope.ToUka by Noriko Ichikawa The latest addition to my hat repertoire and perfectly suited to our lovely new Dehesa wool from Spain which somehow makes those cables almost shine. My only suggested ammend would be to take your needle size down a bit extra for the ribbing. But Oh My, What a Great Hat!Best Beret by James N Watts Pictured here in its smaller circumference version, James has handily also included instructions for a more head-and-ears-inclusive fit. A classic beret, beautifully shaped and a doddle to make. This one’s done in worsted weight. For a lighter but equally nicely constructed beret, we recommend MFT’s 4ply Beret No. 1 Lewsky by Kiyomi and Sachiko Burgin. Part balaclava, part hood, this snuggly topper is a kind of sweater for your head and also slightly reminds me of olden days deep sea diving helmets, in a good way. Pick an aran or heavy worsted like Croft, WYS BFL or Rauwerk, or add some mohair to a regular worsted like Gilliatt or Dehesa. For more of a snug sock-ish hood for your head, we love the new Foster Hood by Fabienne Gassmann Flower Power by Ann Squire Things I love about this hat: * excellent for using up small scraps of chunky wool (including thinner yarns held double) * It takes not much more than an hour to make. * The babies I’ve made it for. All total chuchkis. *That Flower!Pat Hat by Renee Callahan This pattern is so great, I’ve returned to it 3 times (2 of which are pictured here). Elegant diagonal, travelling stitches, beautifully integrated decreases. On the yarn front, it has to be Cyrano – smooth and round – it was made for The Pat.Mawson by Jared Flood This is Brontë’s go-to beanie. Like a Delia Smith cake it works and fits every time. Tightly knit, you’ll be safe with any of our worsted faves like Gilliatt, Dehesa, Rauwerk or Dlana. For a similar fit in a lighter weight yarn try Purl Soho’s Boyfriend Hat or MFT’s Beanie No. 2 or chunky it up for speed and warmth with Veera Valimaki’s Viima in Fonty Pole.Seaworthy Cap by Churchmouse Yarns Some people’s heads, mine included, struggle to carry off a beanie shaped hat. For me, the more fez-like shape of the seaworthy cap is perfect. Add with its beautiful guernsey patterning, obviously it’s got to Guernsey 5 ply. Just make sure you get it really nice and tight gauge-wise.
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