In Law Chaser Hat Knitting Pattern

I know you’re probably wondering where in the world the name for this hat knitting pattern from Jennifer Berg came from. You know when it looks like it’s going to rain or snow, but you end up only getting a few drops? This has been our life where I live lately — so many days of rain on the radar and very little actually falling.

The Navajo call that kind of weather “the in law chaser.” Maybe because it’s the kind of weather that keeps your in-laws from visiting? I don’t really know.

In any case, this sweet colorwork hat pattern is also inspired by the simple repeating patterns found on Navajo rugs. The original is worked in three colors of DK weight yarn, but you could just use two if you want to make it even simpler (or a multicolored yarn as the contrast to make it look more complex).

However many colors you choose, you can stitch it up in four different sizes, from child-sized to large adult, so everyone can have their own in law chaser, even if they don’t have in laws!

You can grab this pattern on Ravelry.

Just for fun I was looking around for more knit hat patterns on the site, and it looks like it’s been a while since I’ve done a good hat roundup. There’s a nice collection of easy, warm hat knitting patterns from way back in 2014 (!) and another knit hat collection from 2015. I have hats inspired by the hat Chloe Kim wore at the 2018 Olympics (which, let’s be honest, I didn’t even remember, but it is super cute).

And there’s a collection full of heart-themed hat knitting patterns, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any other time you want to spread a little love.

Looking for a particular kind of hat pattern? Let me know and I’ll see what I can find!

[Photo: Jennifer Berg]

Generally I like knitting patterns where I feel like you can use whatever yarn you have (because my stash is big enough and I want to use it, thanks) and make a successful project. This is one of those times when a special yarn makes the process that much easier.

The Floral Bouquet Shawl from Xandy Peters uses a specific extended color pooling yarn from Feisty Fibers, which allows you to place the bobble flowers with increasing frequency as you knit the project.

It starts with a solid color yarn, then the two color yarn is added in, and you make a bobble whenever you encounter the color pops. This would be hard to replicate with other yarn that doesn’t have the extended color pooling built in.

The background of the shawl is ribbed, making the project reversible.

The shawl uses fingering/sock yarn and comes out to be an asymmetrical triangle that’s 54 inches/137 cm long and 36 inches/ 90 cm deep and 60 inches/150 cm across the top edge.

Xandy says the pattern is for intermediate to advanced knitters. Knowing how to work traditional bobbles would probably help, but there’s a great video tutorial for how to work the floral bobbles so you can practice on other yarn or even incorporate the bobbles into other projects.

The bobbles are five-petaled flowers but they also kind of look like starfish to me, which could be fun on a child’s cardigan or other pattern. They’d also be fun on the leg of a sock or around the brim of a hat for extra whimsy.

The pattern includes photo and video tutorials, and written and charted instructions. It also includes tips on what to look for if you choose to use different yarn for the project, and instructions on how to dye your own yarn to use in the project.

If you want to give it a try, you can find the pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: Xandy Peters]

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