Well, Starting up again ....Adventures in Hat-Making

It's a sunny Tuesday morning in T-Town (but cold) and I'm back to blogging again. I'm in a much better place than I was a year ago. I’m still unemployed, and it's looking likely that it isn't going to change. I'm considered too old, you see. But that's OK, as long as I have my knitting, I'll be fine.

I've been making hats, and trying out several versions of Newsboy caps in knitted and crocheted versions. The thing is, I've found little issues with each one, so I'm using the best features from each of the three I like best, and adding little tweaks of my own, to make something I like. I’ve included a photo of my first completed hat, in crochet below. I still don't like it, but it's starting to get to where I want it to be.  

That said, I'll publish the finished pattern here, when I'm satisfied. I’m a lefty – so in deference for any right-handed readers, there will be two versions posted.

As for some of the patterns I'm testing:

·         On the Berocco.com website, there are patterns knit and crochet patterns available. You can reach the free knit version, KAP, by clicking here.  If you don't want to use a chunky yarn as they did, you can use double strands of worsted weight to get the same gauge, but your cap will be stiffer and heavier. Berocco’s crochet version is included in one of their booklets for purchase: #233 - the cap is called Newsgirl. I've knitted the sweater (shown with Newsgirl) in a slightly longer length than it was designed for – but I LOVE that one!

·         Here's another nice knitted newsboy cap at suite101.com . I didn’t like it at all when I finished it; I’m not sure if it was the yarn, or if I just need be certain that I changed some things in the directions correctly – I’m left-handed, and I have to remember to switch how dec and inc, cables, etc. are made to get the same outcome, because all published patterns are right-handed. It took a while for me to get that, which was not until I made a one-way patterned sweater that was very specific about which sleeve (both unique) went where. the sleeves were knitted in the round, which meant I couldn't just swap them; I had to re-knit them,

·         There's a cool-looking crochet hat on the Lionbrand.com website: pattern #50768, also in a chunky weight yarn. You'll have to register, first, on their site to see it. You'll not regret registering, however, because there are some wonderful patterns - free - on their website.  Lionbrand doesn't take down patterns for which the original yarn has been discontinued, either - something I love. I like to modify the patterns to expand the size range, or adapt for figure flaws/details anyway, so yarn substitution is a piece of cake. I use a lot of Lionbrand's patterns, and have never had an issue substituting other yarns for theirs if I wished, therefore. Sometimes, I want to use bamboo, corn, silk, or hemp yarns that Lionbrand doesn't carry. 

·         Finally, this is the pattern I started off working with, at Hook, Yarn, and Needles (HY & N). I'm a tight crocheter, so it took a lot of trial and error (and another new ball of yarn) before I found the right combination to get that look.  Even then, I didn't quite like how it turned out, so I've developed my own design, working from that base. I've given the second generation hat away, so no pic, but here's the original from the HY & N pattern, as written, after I got the gauge and sizing 'right'. I'll make another Gen2 with the changes I've made and post it.  Below is the hat made from the HY & N pattern, without the ridges.

I can share these changes incorporated in this hat: 

• Instead of using cardboard for the hat brim, I tested buckram (traditionally used to make and stiffen hats), Peltex Ultra interfacing, and plastic canvas. Plastic canvas or cardboard are the preferred stiffener in most patterns, but these are problematic for washing your hat or dry-cleaning. The buckram made for a nicely shaped, flexible hat brim, but it can lose its shape if washed. The Peltex is thicker and stiffer than the buckram, but is washable, and takes dryer heat well. The drawback there is that the brim is thicker that I had anticipated, so I'm reshaping the brim to accommodate it. That’s all for now, but there’s more to come. Stay tuned!