Cavalcade of Hats

There was a time on this here ol' blog that I would never have dreamed of posting six projects at once. Blow my blogging wad on six-at-a-time? Heaven forbid! But since I have a big time back log of projects to try like hell to remember the details of talk about, here is your cavalcade of hats!

First up: Empire hat, or What Gavroche Might Wear on the Barricades

Specs: Empire Hat by Kirsten Kapur
Yarn: Briar Rose "Fourth of July" in unknown mystery only-they-know colorway
Needles: size 8
Size: Adult

This is the second one of these that I've made and I just love it! I think that seeing 'Les Mis' on Xmess day put the idea for this hat back in my brain. Doesn't it just scream Victor Hugo's 19th century Paris? Aux armes! The pattern recommends a size 7 needle, but I knew from the experience of having a Gargantuan ( French lit is my life, yo) head that size 8s would be more appropriate--and they were!

The yarn is a dream for sure. I bought this at Rhinebeck 2011 with my girl Babs and Earthchick and have only just now gotten around to finding a good project for it. Imagine that! What should that tell you? Wait, don't answer that... The only down side to this yarn was that it comes in such a giant skein that you are bound to muff up the winding, especially if you have a naughty kitten in the house. This is exactly what happened to me, and it was a major CATastrophe that required three evenings of hand winding and pet shaming.

Verdict: A great hat to wear to a failed revolution!

Next we have: Peerie Flooers, or Fair Isle Frolic!

Specs: Peerie Flooers by Kate Davies
Yarn: Rowan Fine Tweed in the colors called for, see my project page for the deets.
Needles: size three

As you might know, I basically make every tam pattern that Kate designs. I mean she could make a Motorhead tam and I would be completely on it, and I hate Motorhead! There is something about Fair Isle knitting that engages my brain and hands in the most pleasurable combination imaginable. I think it is my most favorite knitting of all the knittings. And Kate's designs are peerless!

When this pattern came out, I believe it was one of the first ones to use Rowan Fine Tweed and you had better believe that I was all over it. Sadly about seven minutes after ordering it, Rowan recalled the yarn due to breakage issues (!), so I had to sit tight for a while. When it did finally arrive I was just thrilled by the colors. So bright! Not dowdy! This made for a truly cheerful knit.

Verdict: Kate is the Boss of my Applesauce!

Ensuite--> Clancy, or A Hat for Nutty Socialites Everywhere!
Specs: Clancy by Craig Rosenfeld
Yarn: Tosh Merino DK in 'Grey Gardens', .65 of a skein
Needles: size 7

I was in Philly for a conference last month and neglected to bring knitting to work on during the ZZzzzZZzZZzzzz plenary session, so you best believe I ditched the cold salad lunch for a nip out to Loop. Saved! The sometimes surly ladies there were über helpful and suggested not only this pattern but also the Grey Gardens colorway which it turns out was a special, limited edition THING and I got it without realizing that it was the object of much desire. Because you know that if I had known it was a thing I would have expended many hours and dollars on obtaining in. So--score!

The pattern produces a nice slouchy knit, but I must say that even for my big head this hat is a titch too big. It feels somewhat pancake-y, or like having a placenta on your head that could blow away at any time. I do some light felting is in order!

Verdict: Go down a needle size or prepare fry this thing up and eat it, hippie style!

And next we have--> Irving hat, or Just a Really Great Hat
Pecs: Irving Hat by Melissa LaBarre
Yarn: Shelter in Plume, one skein
Needles: size 8

Per Melissa's norm, this pattern is easy, clear and has a pleasing leaf pattern. I first saw it posted in the Plucky Knitter Facebook group featuring one oh the PK yarns (which at some point we will talk about because OMFG), but because there is a long wait (as in 3-5 weeks) and you have to be at your computer when the update goes down (I'm getting too old for this shit btw), I opted to do it in the yarn that I actually already owned. Yes, the Shelter. And it is a perfectly adequate sub, but alas is a totally different vibe that TPK.  But I love this hat because it is quite vibrant and fits perfectly!

Verdict-->Irving Hat, It's no Slouch!

 This brings us to--> Irving Number 2!

Specs: Irving by Jared Flood
Yarn: Shelter in Faded Quilt, one skein
Needles: Sizes 5 and 8

Another Irving! Hey, it's a winning name for Jewish grandpas AND handknits, ok? This one was a super fast knit that I did on a whim for a colleague. Because this person is a very sweet but super ultra shy reserved guy that I am working on a project with (meaning that he hasn't seen the full rollout of me), I felt that he would be weirded out if I asked him "Hey can you wear this hat you didn't ask me to knit for you and let me take your picture and post it on the Internet?" but luckily that's where grad students come in. You can ask them to do anything and they'll do it because they're nice like that! The pattern is a winner if you're in the mood to get some cables going, and believe me, Jared knows from cables. I think I knit this hat in two days. A cinch!

Verdict-->A Fun, Fast Gift that Rivals Irving #1!

Lastly-->Sea Beanie!

Specs: Sea Beanie by Elena Nodel
Yarn: Tosh Merino DK in Stovepipe
Needles: Size 6

This was a fast and furious knit as the recipient (this time my #1 guypal at work who absolutely refused I mean REFUSED to let me take his picture in it) was leaving for France in only a few days. Sometimes I work best under pressure, because this beanie is a real gem. I mean we are talking stitch definition for days and a fetching combo of ribs and cables. My only minor complaint is that the hat seems wider than it is long, if that makes sense. This hat is also being modeled by a grad student. Aren't I abusive?

Verdict-->Check it out, it's See Worthy!