Creative Loops

The Final Week

I had mentioned in my last update that I only had to complete the crown decreases of the hat, and then it was onto editing the pattern to make it legible for other crafters.

The Crown Decreases

I knit hats using circular needles. These are fine when doing the main part of a hat, but when it comes to the top shaping, it becomes problematic. I can’t use double pointed needles, I’m just not comfortable, so I use the two circular needle method. With this method, I don’t have to worry whether I have a long enough cable for magic loop or have long cables to worry about.

The decreases are easy to finish once the math is sorted out. I decided to add a non-decrease row in between to give the hat a more gentle slope. This turned out fine for the Simple Hat, but it is worth noting that I did have to factor this into the sizing of the main body as I did not want it too slouchy.

Finishing Touches

I am one of those people who like pom pom’s on their hats, so whilst the hat was on the blocking boards, I rustled one up using leftovers.

I love Stylecraft Highland Heathers, especially for hats. The colours are amazing, and the Aran yarn is so soft once it’s washed and blocked. The pom pom shows off the lovely heathered effect of the yarn and suits the hat very well.

Pom pom’s are really easy to make, whether using the homemade method of two cardboard circles or by purchasing a pom pom maker. I have a Clover Pom-Pom maker set. I just find them easier to use. You can get them in most craft shops and on Amazon. Pom-pom’s can also be purchased from any craft shop in various colours and sizes. Some have ribbons to attach to the hat. This is definitely an advantage when you wish to wash the hat and remove the pom-pom.

The Pattern

Writing out the pattern has become the most challenging part of this process for me. I was worried about how easy it would be for others to understand it. Moreover, I had to ensure that I provided all the necessary information to make the hat, and make the pattern look well-presented.

I worked hard to pull all the information together. Hopefully, you will enjoy making the hat. I look forward to any feedback.