Get Ahead, Knit a Hat
Posted on February 19 2020
In this part of North Yorkshire, we have been lucky enough to escape the worst of the flooding brought on by the recent storms. I thought you may be interested in some hat projects which knit up quickly and which will keep you and your family warm and cosy during the chilly days ahead.
Before I show you the various head wear options, I mentioned that I was trying to do a bit of decluttering and during the process I have come across a number of unfinished knitting projects including a grey and white striped sweater finished and waiting to be sewn up. The pattern is 'Marina' by Patricia Roberts and I have clearly knitted it without checking the tension first as I have finished up with a sweater which has a chest width of 28in. Whilst I am definitely not well endowed , it is tiny even for me! I could have added the side pieces (as the original pattern) but even so, there was no point sewing it all together as the sleeves did not fit either!
I was just about to return the sweater to the plastic bag where it would probably have lain for another 10 years when I decided to have a go at converting it to a cushion cover and here is the finished result. Sorry I did not take a 'before' photo.
I am really pleased that all the work that went into the beautiful cable pattern was not wasted and I now have a functional piece of knitting. With hindsight, because the pattern had so many cables, I should have reduced the number of stitches before knitting the ribbed top with buttonholes. However, I am not going to undo - it is one of those knitting mistakes we can all make and this one I can live with!
I am now in the process of reassessing my other 'failed' projects to see what can be redeemed. In addition, I need to work through my excess balls of wool that have also lain around for years. Louise Tilbrook recently tweeted about '10 uses for scrap yarn - that don't involve knitting a blanket' which you can read here.
Everyone needs warm headgear in the winter and they make great gifts especially for walkers, skiers and golfers. Here are some stylish hat ideas which are quick to knit. If you want to top your project with a pom pom, then we have pom pom makers for sale in various sizes, some ready-made pom poms in Mrs Moon yarn and the beautiful vegan pom poms by Rowan. Both the Mrs Moon and Rowan pom poms are attached by ribbon so that they can be changed around or removed if required.
Striped beanies in Mrs Moon Plump DK topped with Mrs Moon pom poms and Rowan vegan pom pom
Rowan Big Wool hat and cowl kit topped with vegan pom pom
The Knitter's Yarn Wagtail Beret knitted in Puddle
The Knitter's Yarn Flamborough beanie knitted in Puddle and topped with a vegan pompom
The Knitter's Yarn Dunlin Bucket hat knitted in Puddle
Of course, not everyone likes a hat so a warm headband is a great alternative.
Fingerless Mitts knitted in Puddle
The Knitter's Yarn Headband and Fingerless Mitts knitted in Rowan Cocoon
Happy Knitting.