Last year I set out to create a hat that truly fit my head. This came about after realizing how many hats I have knit for myself over the years that are too big. For a hat to properly fit, negative ease is necessary. And the only way to ensure you will have the proper fit is to knit a gauge swatch! We all know this is true, but can resist this all important step anyway.
Well, I lost the hat I knit myself last year during the Knitbot Simple Hat KAL.
As sad as I am, as it was my most perfect hat, it is always nice to have a fresh hat for a fresh season! So I am resurrecting the Knitbot Simple Hat KAL, for myself and for you. Here's what will happen:
Now through the end of the month you can gather supplies.
1. Patterns: choose either the Simple Beret or Knitbot Simple Hat. Buy either pattern through Ravelry and choose one Knitbot pattern FREE with coupon code knitbot hat. (Offer good thru 11/30/14 midnight EST) If you have a different hat pattern, well, you're still welcome in the KAL! The community and I can aim to help you knit a perfectly fitting hat, whatever the pattern might be.
2. Choose your yarn. A hat pattern can be a great stash buster! But we won't judge you if you want to go out and purchase a pretty new skein. The great thing about Simple Beret and Knitbot Simple Hat patterns is that they each include instructions for multiple gauges, and Simple Hat includes multiple sizes!
average head circumferences
Baby 16” (Toddler 18”, Child 20”, Adult 22”, XL Adult 24”)
version a: bulky weight
finished circumference: 15 (17, 19, 21, 23)” / 38 (43, 48, 53, 58) cm
finished height: 6 (6.75, 7.75, 8.75, 9.75)” /15.25 (17, 19.5, 22.25, 24.75) cm
yarn: Quince & Co Osprey (100% American wool, 170 yds / 155m, 100 g) 1 skein Peaks Ferry #132 OR 45 (56, 70, 88, 110) yds / 41 (51, 64, 80, 100)m of bulky weight yarn
gauge: 14 sts and 20 rows = 4” / 10 cm in St st
NOTE: in my opinion this bulky version is the best bang for your buck. One skein of Osprey, and I only used about 60% of it to knit the largest hat, which allows plenty of extra to knit your gauge swatch. Just sayin’.
version b: worsted weight
finished circumference: 14.5 (16.75, 19.25, 20.75, 22.5)” / 37 (42.5, 49, 52.75, 57.25) cm
finished height: 5.5 (6.25, 7.25, 8.5, 9.75)” / 14 (15.75, 18.25, 21.5, 24.75) cm
yarn: Quince & Co Lark (100% American wool, 134 yds / 123m, 50g) 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) skeins Clay #113 OR 75 (95, 115, 140, 170) yds / 69 (87, 105, 125, 155) of worsted weight yarn
gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows = 4” / 10 cm in St st
version c: dk weight
finished circumference: 15 (16.25, 18.75, 21, 22.75)” / 38 (41.25, 47.75, 53, 57.75) cm
finished height: 5.75 (7, 7.25, 8.5, 9.5)” / 14.5 (17.75, 18.25, 21.5, 24) cm
yarn: Quince & Co Chickadee (100% American wool, 170 yds / 155m, 100 g) 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) skeins OR 92 (116, 144, 180, 215) / 84 (106, 132, 165, 197)m of dk weight yarn
gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows = 4” / 10 cm in St st
finished measurements
Brim circumference: approx. 17.5”
Widest point circumference: approx. 26”
Height: approx. 8.5”
fingering weight
YARN: 1 skein The Fibre Company Canopy Fingering (50% Baby Alpaca, 30% Merino Wool, 20% Bamboo; 200 yd per 50 g skein) in Obsidian OR 200 yd of fingering weight yarn
NEEDLES: US1 / 2.25 mm 16” circular needle; US2 / 2.75 mm 16” circular needle and set of dpns NOTIONS: Tapestry needle, 10 markers
GAUGE: 28 sts and 40 rnds = 4” / 10 cm in St st
dk weight
YARN: 2 skeins The Fibre Company Acadia
(60% Merino Wool, 20% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk; 145 yd per 50 g skein) in Bog OR 200 yd of DK weight yarn
NEEDLES: US3 / 3.25 mm 16” circular needle; US5 / 3.75 mm 16” circular needle and set of dpns NOTIONS: Tapestry needle, 10 markers
GAUGE: 23 sts and 32 rnds = 4” / 10 cm in St st
worsted weight
YARN: 1 skein The Fibre Company Canopy Worsted (50% Baby Alpaca, 30% Merino Wool, 20% Bamboo; 200 yds per 100 g skein) in River Dolphin OR 200 yd of worsted weight yarn
NEEDLES: US5 / 3.75 mm 16” circular needle; US7 / 4.5 mm 16” circular needle and set of dpns NOTIONS: Tapestry needle, 11 markers
GAUGE: 20 sts and 28 rnds = 4” / 10 cm in St st
bulky weight
YARN: 1 skein The Fibre Company Tundra
(60% Baby Alpaca, 30% Merino Wool, 10% Silk; 120 yd per 100 g skein) in Taiga OR 120 yd of bulky weight yarn
NEEDLES: US9 / 5.5 mm 16” circular needle; US10.5 / 6.5 mm 16” circular needle and set
of dpns
NOTIONS: Tapestry needle, 10 markers
GAUGE: 14 sts and 18 rnds = 4” / 10 cm in St st
Monday I'll follow up with a post on yarn and color ideas! If you want to get started today you can read through last years KAL threads. We'll all join you there soon with fresh content!