It's hat knitting season!

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The Fiber Cooperative: the online fiber festival

November 12, 2010

It's Hat Knitting Season!


Brattleboro Hat by Melissa LeBarre

Hats are so fun to knit. They're short projects, and they usually just take one skein—always a bonus.

I recently knit a fun pattern from the fantastic book New England Knits by Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre. The pattern is the Brattleboro Hat, and I love it so much I can see myself making it for all of my friends with winter birthdays! (Not to mention adding one to my grab bag Christmas plans.)

This little hat packs a big punch. Let me count the reasons:

1. It uses just one skein of Malabrigo Worsted, which is softy-mcsofterson and so great to knit with!

2. The ribbed band stretches quite a bit vertically, which I love—so easy to pull down over your ears!

3. The hat gives you a great opportunity to go through your button jar!

4. The moss-stitch crown is really pretty, especially with a lightly variegated yarn.


	Kathleen's Brattleboro Hat

5. Brattleboro is a really fast knit—mine took about five hours. How's that for instant gratification?

I did make a couple of modifications (photo at right). I knit the moss stitch portion for an extra inch before I started the crown shaping. I have a big head (runs in the family; we take turns calling each other "basketball head"), so I usually do need to add an inch or so in length.

I also skipped the buttonholes and just attached one button through the tab and the brim. I figured I wouldn't need to actually use the buttons, so why bother with the buttonholes?

I love my hat! I'm keeping this one for myself—after all, if I start now, I can make another one by the end of the day.

It swims with the fishes...the Whale Watch Hat

The Whale Watch Hat is the second hat from New England Knits that's on my list. Designer Kate Gagnon Osborn's inspiration was the outrageous whale-embroidered khakis worn by Martha's Vineyard vacationers and the enduring combination of navy and white.


Whale Watching Hat by Kate Gagnon Osborn

What I thought about when I saw this design was a pod of whales I saw frolicking off the coast of Honolulu. What a magical moment that was; I can't wait to knit a hat to commemorate that memory.

The Whale Watch Hat isn't going to be a super fast knit like the Brattleboro—it's stranded knitting, which takes longer—but it'll be an enjoyable knit. I get sort of addicted to stranded knitting in the round; it's so fun to see the pattern emerge.

This one will be for me, too. I'm kind of greedy lately with the hats, aren't I?

I think you should get greedy with me! Grab your copy of New England Knits now and get going on your hats—just scroll down for a rebate coupon to use in your LYS for any Interweave product or get New England Knits at InterweaveStore.com and we’ll ship it right to your doorstep!

Cheers,

Kathleen Cubley
is the editor of
Knitting Daily.

Kathleen's Knit-Along
(a.k.a. The Knit-Ball Knit-Along!!)
The winner for the next KAL is the Caftan Pullover! It's so beautiful—I can't wait to get started. I'll be using Sublime Merino Silk Aran in a light green. The pattern is available as a download in our pattern store. Come join the KAL in the official forum.

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Imagine Yourself in New England

warm up with beautiful hats, mittens, scarves, and sweaters

New England Knits

Timeless Knitwear with a Modern Twist
Cecily Glowik MacDonald
and Melissa LaBarre
160 pages, 25 projects

Cherish the gorgeous knitting traditions of New England with New England Knits: Timeless Knitwear with a Modern Twist. New England residents Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre offer 25 stunning accessories and sweaters inspired by the distinct weather, colors, and culture of the region they so love.

Going beyond the cabled sweater, Cecily and Melissa's patterns offer classic wearability with fresh contemporary style that will have you reaching in your closet for these pieces every fall. The hats, scarves, and mittens are stylish and perfect for pulling on as you head out the door. You don't have to live in New England to enjoy these timeless designs that will take you through autumn, winter, and spring.

New England Knits is divided into three sections, each evoking a different characteristic of the American northeast.

Hampton Cardigan

Groveland Satchel

Around the Town

Spend a day strolling through quaint, historic towns, casually exploring New England’s cobblestone streets. These designs—a cabled messenger bag, a chic beaded neckerchief, and a cardigan with delicate button details at the neck—are clean and polished, and can easily take you from a day of seeing the sights and shopping at local boutiques to romantic dinner and night out on the town.

Fall on the Farm

Imagine lush green fields, bright blue skies, and rich red barns and apples. The pieces in this section are deeply inspired by the colors of autumn and the working farms that are scattered across New England. Interesting textures and stitch patterns—knit in warm wool, of course!—combine to create cozy, easy-to-wear garments that are perfect for spending a fall afternoon outdoors. The Brattleboro Hat that Kathleen featured paired with thick mittens will ward off the fall chill.

Providence Hoodie

Portland Mittens

Windsor Warmer

Montague Bulky Lace Vest

Along the Coast

Take a walk along the sandy, rocky beaches that New England is known for. These garments are perfect for cool hazy mornings, or for the last nights of summer spent on the beach, with a versatile scarf that will keep the coastal winds at bay while you take in the view and warm, close-fitting wool vests and sweaters. And even if you don't live on the coast, these transitional-weather sweaters will still keep you cozy through the seasons.

Add a touch of New England to your wardrobe with New England Knits.

Click here for the $5 rebate coupon!