A Simple Hat to Knit with Colorful Yarn

I don’t know why this time of year feels like a time for simple knitting, but it does. Maybe it’s because after the rush of the holidays it’s nice to slow down with something a little mindless, or the cold weather in the Northern Hemisphere makes me want to knit something simple and cozy.

Whatever the reason, I’m drawn to easy projects like QueerJoe’s Simple Hat. It really is a simple hat, worked in multicolored worsted weight yarn (this would be a great one for using leftovers from last year’s projects, too). It uses smaller needles for the ribbing and a spiral decrease for the top, but is otherwise smooth Stockinette knitting.

The pattern is one size and uses just 220 yards of yarn. It may just become your new go-to for charity knitting or gift giving.

Grab the free pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: DoublePointed Designs.]

Looking for more Knitted Beanie patterns? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time.

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring.

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn.

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row.

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves.

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body.

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy.

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn.

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]

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