Could This Be the Perfect Hat Knitting Pattern?

It takes a certain something to declare that a particular pattern is perfect. I’ve made things that I thought were perfect for me, but I wouldn’t call them perfect necessarily because different people have different wants and needs and ideas of what perfect would be for them.

But having said that, Celia Llopis-Jepsen, who designed the Perfect Stocking Cap, may yet be on to something giving her design that name.

I mean, first off, take a look at that shaping on the top of the hat. That is actually pretty darn perfect and satisfying to look at.

The hat is worked with two strands of sock yarn (the designer used Malabrigo sock, which I can tell you from experience is pretty perfect), which makes it warm but not too hot. It also gives you the opportunity to use some yarn you might have bought with the intention of making socks but you and I both know that’s not going to happen. You can use two strands of the same yarn, two shades of the same color, or even mix it up with two different colors for a fun marled look.

If there’s anything that keeps it from being totally perfect, it’s that it only comes in one size, but it’s stretchy, so it should be good for teens through medium and large adults. It’s long enough that you can fold over the brim if you like, or keep it slouchy.

The other great thing about this pattern? It’s a free Ravelry download. So go check it out for yourself and let me know if you think it’s perfect.

And if you’re in the market for more patterns that use two strands of yarn at once, check out my roundup of patterns that call for two yarns being held together throughout. It’s the perfect technique for using your stash that much faster!

[Photo: Celia Llopis-Jepsen]

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Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four.

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

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