I was knitting a hat today (surprise! surprise!) and wondering about how it was going to turn out. Then I got the idea to write a (perhaps) informative post on how I come up with a hat pattern.
I like knitting hats because they go quickly, don't really require too much measurement and take a surprising amount of improvisation very well. You can start off with a conventional pattern and then go off the beaten path if you so choose. Perhaps you can do that with a sock or a sweater, but I'm not there yet. I tend to forget to write stuff down and when you have to do a right and left of something, a pattern or notes really are to your benefit.
I have some constants. I tend to like that fluffy unspun yarn. Whatsit called? It makes for a light and lofty hat that keeps you warm but doesn't make you a big ole sweaty-head. Well, not me, anyway. I also like acrylic for hats because they can take a beating in the washer and it doesn't pull my hair out as much as wool does (it's a sistah thing). They also don't felt and since I tend to wash hats quite a bit, that is a very good thing.
I like a certain band. Mostly an odd/even-long/short ribbed band or garter-stitch. A rolled hem is okay, but it tends to make my forehead sweat and doesn't do well to keep fab hat on my fab head.
I started my first hat by using the beginning of a pattern I found in a book. It gave me a standard hat measurement and a picture of how the band would fit. In a worsted weight yarn and size 6-8 needles you will probably be casting on about 80-90 stitches. Keep track of that number. It will help you decrease later.
If I'm doing a ribbed band, I like to have a wide knit portion. I will do either a K4, P2 or a K3, P2 band. I like the way it looks and I'm always going to choose the more knit, less purl option anyway. The band needs to be stretch to fit your head, otherwise it will just flop around and generally get on your nerves. Sort of like a lazy teen.
Work the headband for the length you like. At least an inch is my guideline. Erm, for hats.
Here's the hat I'm currently working on. I did the band in straight garter stitch, then joined after about an inch for stockinette. I'll seam up the garter edges when the hat is complete. What can I say? I really dislike purling! BUT, there's the added bonus of being able to make sure the band fits as it's supposed to, so don't dis me on the purling thing, 'kay?
The yarn looks pretty but it's a pain in the patoot to work with. It's the extra cheapy from Jo-Ann's. I liked the color and I had a coupon.
I want a slouchy hat so I increased after the band, K1, M1 all the way round. Then about an inch about that increase I K5, M1. I think it's going to mushroom nicely which is what I was going for.
I'm seeing the end of the skein more rapidly than I would have liked, so I'm starting my decreases. It was my plan from the beginning to close the hat with a kind of drawstring.
Next time I'll show you my more conventional hat I'm making from some Noro Kureyon I got at a garage sale for $1. Right now I'm a little stumped on the design. But sometimes, if you just keep knitting, inspiration comes to you.
