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Could This Be the Perfect Hat Knitting Pattern?

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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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Bucket Hat Knitting Patterns

As I was starting to write this post I thought that it was true that I’d never done a roundup of bucket hat knitting patterns before. But then I looked, and I actually did one last year (which you can find here) but there are plenty of cute bucket hats to do another post about, right? 

The one that made me want to write about this (again) is the Red Heart Knit Fanfare Bucket Hat from Yarnspirations. This cute striped hat can be worked in team colors, and while I might prefer a non-acrylic yarn for a summer hat, it would be fine when it’s not too hot outside (or try a cotton yarn instead). 

Claire Slade’s Sunlit Bucket Hat has an angled brim to help keep the sun out of your eyes. It’s worked from the bottom up using worsted weight cotton yarn, and comes in three sizes. You can find the pattern on Ravelry. 

Get a little air flow in your bucket hat with the Shady Bucket Hat from Wool & Beyond. This one uses DK weight yarn and an eyelet pattern throughout the body to keep it cool. It comes in sizes ranging from newborn to adult large, and is worked in one piece from the top down. You can grab the pattern (in English or Swedish) on Ravelry. 

If you’re looking for a fun, floppy sun hat for kids or adults, this pattern from Muki Crafts is a little more slouchy than a traditional bucket hat but it’s super cute. It comes in baby, toddler and bigger kid sizes and adult. I uses worsted weight yarn and is worked from the bottom up. 

Another variation on the classic bucket is this one that’s more of a cloche style. Made by branda, it uses bulky yarn so it’s more of a winter bucket hat, but now’s a fine time to knit it if you live somewhere that’s warm right now (or even more so if you live somewhere that’s cold right now). 

Another one to get you ready for colder weather is Tirmety, a two-layer bucket hat from ViTalina Craft, which has a textured stitch pattern on one side and stockinette on the other. You can wear either side out or even make them different colors if you want. The pattern is sized for toddlers, kids and adults. 

And if you want to add some extra cuteness to your bucket hat, I love this (of course totally optional but also totally adorable) embroidered deatila on the New York Bucket Hat from Pauline Fanguin. It uses two strands of DK weight yarn held together for extra sturdiness, and uses changes in needle size to shape the hat. Of course you could also knit stripes or use different textures of yarn to change up the look. This pattern is made to fit your head and is available in French and English.