What’s forgiving of size, fun to create, (relatively) inexpensive to ship, hella useful, and offers endless variations? The beloved winter toque, of course!
I find making hats to be so satisfying and an excellent project to try out new or more challenging techniques. Plus, they only require one skein or less, which makes them perfect for that special yarn you’ve been hoarding or for using your beautiful leftovers.
This Christmas included hats for two of my nieces, one nephew, one sister-in-law, and one of my besties.
Snowflakes Toque
This pretty fella came from a kit I ordered at a super Black Friday discount price from Bluprint (formerly Craftsy). I made it for Rosa, a beautiful blue-eyed country girl and RN, who has four horses and a full complement of dogs and cats as well. She likes pretty things, but has no time for fuss.
The well-written pattern, Knit Frozen Snowflakes Beanie, is also available for purchase on Ravelry. I used Sprightly Yarns Acrylic Worsted in Misty Blue and White. I liked that the yarn allows for machine washing and drying (keeping it real, yo), and it has a nice hand feel as well.
Winter Moose Hat
These yarns are a true mystery as they came from a pop-up swap shop at work. The idea was for everyone to bring in good quality items that they don’t want anymore and to take home anything they would use. I brought in a pile of outgrown kids’ clothes and brought home four skeins of yarn with no labels. It’s acrylic for sure, and I guessed that it is a DK weight.
Anyhow, it was perfect for this Winter Moose Hat for my nephew, Ian. I really enjoy how the lime green really makes the trees pop. (The bunching of the yarn because I didn’t leave enough allowance behind the trees also make them pop, but let’s call that a feature, shall we?)
The actual pattern name is Sarah’s Hat and it’s free, making this a very thrifty gift indeed.
Fresh Scallop Hat
This combo of pattern, yarn, and colours pleases me to no end. I hope my niece Sophie likes it! The free Fresh Scallop Hat pattern was created by Maritime Family Fiber, a family-run yarn store founded by a woman who grew up on a sheep farm that supplied fleece to Briggs & Little. Briggs & Little makes down-home tough-but-beautiful wool that I absolutely adore.
This hat contains three colourways of Briggs & Little Heritage 100% wool Aran-eight yarn, and one colourway of Bernat Super Value Solids, which is 100% acrylic. Was I worried about blending these yarn types? A little, but look at how great they look together. The pattern calls for each of the scallops to have the same number of rows, but I didn’t have the same amount of each colour so I worked with what I had. I think it turned out fab! What a happy way to use the last bits of these yarns.
From bottom to top the colourways are Evergreen, Grey Heather, Teal Heather, and Grape. And since it fortunately doesn’t look super-obvious, I’ll point out that the Teal Heather is the Bernat yarn.
Molly Hat
I had this gorgeous skein for ages, just waiting for the right project to beckon for it. It is CACTUS Yarn Studio Worsted Weight 100% merino wool in the colourway petite poussière. Strangely, the colour name translates to something like “little dust” or “little dirt.” I think nuance gets lost in the translation there! Maybe it also means speckles? Anyhow… it’s so pretty and so delicious to handle. I think it’s best that I didn’t tell my sister-in-law that I made her a dirt hat.
The Molly pattern, free on Ravelry, was a delightful simple knit that looks more complex than it is. The cable is faux, but the glamour is real. It used every last metre of yarn too. I had maybe 10cm after I cast off. Winning at yarn chicken is winning at life!
Snowtracks Cap
The Snowtracks Cap pattern is also free via Yarnspirations. It will quench your hankering for some interesting cables, and it really makes the most of a solid, strong colour yarn. Love the stitch definition in this toque. `
This last toque in the parade also used the Bernat Super Value Solids in Teal Heather. I really got a lot of mileage from that skein, given that I made a Christmas gift cowl out of it last year too. I can’t remember when or why I bought it – maybe for something specific? – but I’d definitely recommend it as a particularly nice versatile acrylic at a good price when you’re looking for one. When you’re knitting for an 11 year old – even a super smart one! (hi Cameron) – you don’t necessarily want to use boutique yarns. Every day is a new adventure. Who knows what might happen to a hat or mitts along the way?
I hope your holidays have been wonderful and all of your handmade gifts were received in love!
