Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Knit a Fun Hat with Tons of Colorful Brioche

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We have established that I’m trying to bring more whimsy into the world with my work and my life and the things that I share here. I know not everyone goes for the wild or offbeat designs, but I hope you can still appreciate the beauty and craft that goes into them, even if it’s not something you’d ever knit yourself. 

Example: the BriocheCrown Hat form Raina K. The sample hat is bright and looks pretty wild and tall and has a pompom. It also looks like a lot of fun, even if it’s maybe not something you would knit for yourself. And maybe I’ve just introduced you to your new favorite hat; who can say?

The hat uses two-color brioche and is worked in the the round from the bottom up. It uses DK weight yarn and can be made with or without stripes, so you can use as few as two or as many colors as you like. The projects section on Ravelry can show you lots of different versions with more or less striking color changes.

The bottom edge is zig-zaggy and meant to be folded up into a brim, and thanks to the stitch pattern the hat is reversible. The pattern includes two versions but the pattern notes don’t really indicate what the difference is. The hat fits an average adult and you can make it longer or shorter depending on how you feel about brims and/or slouchiness.

The designer says the pattern is suited for an adventurous beginner, and once you get the hang of brioche knitting it’s not any harder than regular ribbing (and working with two colors actually makes it easier to see what’s going on). Increasing and decreasing can be a little tricky, but practice your skills on a swatch if you haven’t done these things before and you’ll be ready to go in no time. 

You can grab the pattern on Ravelry. 

[Photo: Raina K]

 

Have you read?

Totoro Knitting Patterns

We’re a big Studio Ghibli household, and while they are sometimes very protective of their copyrights (as evidenced by the number of patterns on Ravelry that were removed from the service when it received a takedown notice back in 2021), there are still a fair number of Totoro knitting patterns (as well as other designs I’m sure we’ll get to someday). Let’s check them out!

Yaya Labs has a cute plush Totoro that looks like it might stand up on its own. The pattern is available on LoveCrafts, and it calls for DK or light worsted weight yarn in four colors. The pattern is considered advanced but it does include a photo tutorial. It stands 10.6 inches or 27 cm tall.

A similar pattern can be found a Shino Craft, which doesn’t have the leaf hat but does include little hands, and the legs aren’t as separate from the body. This one calls for sport weight yarn and is knit flat on two needles. 

All Made Here has a Totoro pouch that is super cute and looks pretty easy to knit. It measures 14 by 18 cm and is rated for advanced beginners. You can get the pattern when you subscribe to updates or follow the designer on Instagram. 

Stitch Totoro on a sweater with the Totorogenseren sweater from Anna-Sofia Vintersol. This free download on Ravelry uses worsted/aran weight yarn in two or three colors. The pattern comes in nine sizes, with a chest measurement ranging from 77 to 149 cm. 

The Forest Spirit Fair Isle Jumper from Kraft with Kindrex features a row of Totoros on the circular yoke, along with other little colorwork designs. The design includes three sizes, with chest measurements ranging from 91 to 101 cm. It calls for 4 ply (that’s fingering/sock weight in other parts of the world). 

Or you can stitch Totoro as part of a project with more Ghibli characters, as on the Magical Anime Knit Sweater (a longtime bucket list item for me) from The Bearded Sewist. This on has a circular yoke and rows of different characters including Totoro, Ponyo, soot sprites, Calcifer and more. The pattern comes in four sizes and is rated intermediate/advanced. It calls for DK weight yarn and you can grab a copy on Ravelry. 

Or try Katharina Kuntz’s Anime Scarf, also on Ravelry. This one is a double knit scarf worked in fingering weight yarn in two colors, with allover designs from Studio Ghibli movies. She started by knitting the movies in chronological order but gave that up after she realized all her favorites would be in the middle and therefore not visible when worn. You can probably rearrange the motifs further somewhat if you want to showcase your favorites.