"December you will love July you"

Hats might be the perfect project. Most hats only take one skein of yarn and they are the perfect travel companion, always fitting into a project bag. The relatively small amount of yarn needed makes hats the perfect place to experiment with wool you might be considering for a fall sweater project. Your hat can function like a swatch for a fetching cable chart or a new colourwork pattern. Lastly, knit on 16” needles hats fly along so feel free to make a few in between other projects all summer, you will be your new favourite person this winter. Here are a few of my favourite hats that I’ve knit in the last few years!

Lucerne by Jared Flood

Knit in Peerie, Lucerne is the best possible way to experiment with this new yarn. Use 2-4 colours to make this hat truly your own. I recommend a high contrast mix of colours and colour value, have as much fun as you want because on such a small surface bold colourwork shines. Forty-five shades and tones wait for you to pick up and knit.

Deer with Tiny Antlers Hat by Tiny Owl Knits

I’m about to cast on another one of these hats for myself, I made one for my sister and it has to be the warmest and cutest accessory ever. The instructions make the knitting friendly and if you have a more recalcitrant partner the plain beanie from this pattern is simple but lovely. Small changes to colour and shades can make this hat a stunner. For a rustic look Lett-Lopi would provide, warmth, structure, and a soft halo or the luxurious Fibre Co. Tundra knit under gauge would provide a dreamy texture and warmth. 

Roku by Olga Buraya-Kefelian

I don’t often say that I have a single favourite but this might be my favourite hat pattern of all time. Simple, utilitarian, smart, and timeless knit in one skein of almost any worsted weight yarn, Roku is beautiful without being ostentatious. One by one ribbing provides a fabric that shows off nearly any skein of yarn and if you have an orphan skein of special worsted weight yarn waiting to become a forever finished object. There is no one who would not appreciate having a Roku in their wardrobe making it a perfect choice if you’re unsure of what to make for that picky but knit-worthy person.

-Ethan Barclay-Ennew