Here in Vancouver it takes a little longer to get properly cold. November is usually coat weather, umbrellas are definitely in use, but it’s not REALLY properly cold. December is when it when winter shows itself here on the west coast. I find the holidays and ‘quick, it’s cold and I need a hat!’ seasons are one and the same! Suddenly everyone is begging for a warm woolly to get them through, and you know me, happy to oblige any knitterly request! Here are a few of my favourite fast hats, in case this happens to you too.
Snap
First up is Snap, this is my favourite at this time of year for 2 reasons:
1. It is FAST, knit up on US 10.5 / 6.5mm needles.
2. It is an excellent use for those tiny little balls left over from other projects.
Snap is a perfect playground for experimentation with marling and fades. If you haven’t tried holding yarns together before we have a tutorial for that here, check it out! I’ve been so smitten with mohair this year (Em really convinced me with the Love Note sweater), I’ll definitely be using up those tiny leftover balls from my various sweaters in a Snap!
Northward
Next is the Northward. I have been working on a number of these this year. This hat is also worked on big needles (US 10.5 / 6.5mm), I used Brooklyn Tweed Quarry for these woolly delights! Northward is a free pattern and a great introduction to cables if you haven’t tried them yet (and there is a cable tutorial here to help you along!).
Honeypie
For the bulkiest of hats I always enjoy Honeypie. With bulky yarn (these ones were knit up in Julie Asselin Yotta), AND cables, AND a super ginormous pompom, it’s the perfect ‘too much’ hat. I love a little over-the-top’ when I can get it, as you probably know!
So, what are you knitting up for the winter ahead? Are you whipping up quick hats? Or do you slow down and start on a sweater? Perhaps some woolly mittens?
Are you knitting up some hats? Share your progress with us on Instagram with #TinCanKnits #HoneypieHat #NorthwardHat or #SnapHat
December 16, 2019 @ 5:59 am
All the hats are awesome!
December 16, 2019 @ 2:21 am
Bulky hats…nope! Two days at 40 degrees C or above this week in Melbourne, so I’m thinking it’s time to cast on in lace-weight. Your Estuary pattern is looking the goods for that, and going down a few needle sizes. 😊
December 16, 2019 @ 1:40 pm
Oh my, lace weight sounds like the right choice for the weather in the Southern Hemisphere!!
December 14, 2019 @ 6:43 am
ooops should have said I was referring to the Northwoods hat. thanks Linda
December 14, 2019 @ 6:42 am
question if you don’t have any chunky yarn on hand and want to use four ply could you do it with this pattern or would you have to change it some how?
December 16, 2019 @ 1:42 pm
I’ve successfully knit this hat with 2 strands of worsted held together, I think for 4 ply you might try 3 strands together, or 4 depending on how dense you like your hat fabric.