Coif

February 2007

This is the perfect way to combine ponytails with warmth. Yet another Knitty pattern: Shocking pink coif. I used a 50% wool, 50% soysilk yarn called Gianna (by South West Trading Company; colour 048), which is soft and warm but had lots of knots. The main part was knit on a 5.5mm needle; the i-cord on a 4.5mm needle. The pattern has two st. st. straps that tie under the chin. On one side, I changed the st. st. to a 2-stitch i-cord and sewed the end into a loop; on the other side, I sewed on a button. And I love it.

(Additional photos at the original post.)

Soy ribs toque

June 2006

Based on a free pattern online (Crumpart's "That chocolate's gone straight to your ribs" hat), I knit this fancy toque with Karaoke soy silk (#278; less than 2 balls) on 4mm needles. I made it longer than the pattern called for, so I could fold up more -- that double layer over the ears is going to be important in the winter!

We Call Them Pirates hat

January/February 2006

This is the best part about being a knitter: making something that you really like and couldn't have had otherwise.

Pattern: We Call Them Pirates (designed by Adrian at Hello Yarn)
Needles: 3.25mm (a circ and then dpns)
Yarn: two 50-gram balls of Knit Picks Andean Treasure (100% baby alpaca): "Woods" (MC) and "Sunset" (CC)

I'd definitely recommend alpaca for a hat, as it's very soft and warm, yet light: zero itch factor. This was my first attempt at Fair Isle, and it really wasn't difficult -- I held the yarns quite loosely and made sure to always have the MC above the CC. Perhaps some Fair Isle mittens next?

Eleanore's earflap hat

March 2004

This wee hat was knit from the Kittyville Lil' Devil Baby Hat pattern. I used Bernat Denim Style yarn (a very soft worsted weight acrylic/cotton blend) and a 5mm circular needle. The bottom edge and earflaps are done in garter stitch, and the ties are three-stitch i-cord. I added a pompom instead of devil horns.

Bill's woolly hat

January 2004

The Chinese New Year holiday was ridiculously cold, so I whipped up this warm and woolly hat for Bill in a few hours. One strand bulky black wool (Soft Feather Maxi) and one strand of light worsted oatmeal wool (Zebra) held together on a 9mm circular needle: 3 rounds garter stitch; 15 rounds stockinette; begin decreases. Bill says, "This is the first hat I've ever worn in my life that's looked good on me." Thank you. Thankyouverymuch.

Kittyville hat

January 2004

I love my Kittyville hat. I used a worsted weight acrylic/wool/mohair blend and 5mm needles. The bottom edge, earflaps, and kitty ears are done in seed stitch, and the ties are three-stitch i-cord.

Tom's Marsan watchcap

November 2003

This was a Christmas present for my brother, made from a free pattern at redlipstick.net. I used a wool-acrylic blend (Australian Cable brand) and cast on 112 sts in red before joining the charcoal. This is a stretchy, comfy hat -- and where I come from, it's called a toque!

Apple hat

March 2003

This is an absurdly adorable hat. I used a free Apple Hat pattern and soft, sport-weight merino wool. The pattern calls for two leaves; I only used one.

Crazy hats

January 2003 & February 2003

These light and stretchy adult-sized toques were made with sport-weight merino wool on a 4.5 mm circular needle (my first in-the-round projects). The free pattern is called Crazy Hat.

Black chunky toque

January 2003

Second hat, same as the first!

Colourful chunky toque

December 2002

This was my first hat. The Rebecca pattern is a free PDF online. Knit flat on 10 mm needles with Soft Feather Maxi wool.