Over the last few months I’ve been busy knitting hats for Christmas.  I’m finding it almost addictive.  I bought a couple of balls of Garnstudio ‘Eskimo’ a few months ago and think it is the best yarn for winter hats.  It is supersoft with no tickle and reasonably priced.  I think it would not be durable enough for a larger piece like a jumper but for hats it’s just right.  If you have any super bulky yarn that knits up to the same gauge you can easily substitute it also.

I started playing around with hats a little bit – all my hats for the last few months have been top down.  It’s a a fun way of doing it as you can decide on the size as you go and can try it on before you put the edging on to make sure it is the right size for you.  I used slip stitch colour patterns rather than fair isle knitting as they are so quick to do (and they can be used by even a beginner knitter without too much difficulty).

I have put the hats together as a pattern, although it is really more of a booklet and called it Pick ‘n Mix.

The way it is laid out is as follows:

1. Choose your increase method

This hat is knitted form the top down so you must first decide on the type of increase that you want to use. Here are a few different examples that you can try to see which you like best – or if you have your own favorite by all means use it!

2. Choose your slip stitch pattern

Slip stitch patterns can give you the apparent complexity of intricate color work but with almost the same speed as knitting in plain stockinette st. Pick your pattern from the four below (Note: All slipped sts are slipped purl-wise and when knitting in the round the yarn is held at the back of work when stitches are slipped.)

3. Choose your hat edging

Details of the different edging methods are given in the pattern.

A: Ruffle edging

Nice and feminine.

B: Straight edging

Works well for male and female.

C: No edging

Creates a ‘pillbox’ hat effect.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Slip st pattern A : 18 [20, 22, 24] inches diameter

Slip st pattern B : 19.5 [21.75, 24, 26] inches diameter

Slip st pattern C and D: 18.6 [20, 22.6, 24] inches diameter

Yarn and Needles:

[MC] Garnstudio Eskimo [100% wool; 54 yd/50 m per 50g skein]; color: Light blue (shade 12); 1 [2, 2, 3] skeins

[CC] Garnstudio Eskimo [100% wool; 54 yd/50 m per 50g skein]; color: Light blue (shade 12); 1 [1, 1, 2] skeins

1 set US 13/9 mm double-pointed needles
16-inch/41 cm US 13/9 mm circular needle