Completing The Trio

Hat number three,  off the needles. 

 

This is so much fun.  I'm sure I will get bored with it eventually - completing a FO every few days, frequently  having to search for new pattern, new yarn. Sigh!  But for now, after a season of several sweaters,  these quick and easy knits are so  much fun.

Today I have the 1898 Hat.  This one has often caught my eye on ravelry for its seemingly great fit.  And it did not disappoint. Although not as quick a knit as the 1920 Stripes, and not, perhaps, as stylish as either the Downton or the 1920s, it is nonetheless an excellent, warm hat that exudes pioneer practicality.

The unique construction begins with a garter stitch headband with built-in ear flaps.

 

 This piece is knit twice as wide as needed and folded in half to provide  double thickness over the ears.  The fold occurs along  a three-stitch, slip-stitch, line of stockinet stitches in the centre of the garter-stitch width.  Those three stitches, knit on the right side, slipped on the wrong side, form a  fold line  that is a bit tighter than the rest of the head band and therefore  rolls  inwards to hug the head when worn.  Great design.

Once the headband portion is complete, stitches are picked up around the edge and knit upwards to form the crown. Mine was knit with  Patons Classic Wool, left over from My Valentine and with 4.5mm needles.

It might not be the most fashionable but I love its no-nonsense, hats-are-meant- to- keep-your- head-warm style.