Knit Mushroom Hats for the Whole Family

Last week I told you I was bringing some more whimsy to our knitting pattern experience here at Craft Gossip, and this pattern is the exact pattern that got me thinking about the need to share more fun stuff. Yes, we all love to knit sweaters, socks and hats to keep us warm, but can’t they be a little fun and silly too?

Of course they can.

So I bring you So Mush Room by Ainur Berkimbayeva, which is, in fact, a mushroom hat. Better yet, it’s a mushroom hat that comes in four sizes, so you ca make them for the whole family. (I urge you to click through and see folks in all different sizes and colors of hats, though admittedly one model looks less than thrilled.)

The hat is worked in worsted weight yarn and is inspired by Amanita muscaria, a mushroom that is both poisonous and adorable. The hats are worked in two colors for the base and the top, and bobbles are added to the top of the mushroom as well. The mushroom cap is stuffed to allow it to hold its shape, and there’s cardboard involved for extra support as well.

The sizes are to fit babies, kids and small and larger adults. I envision mushroom family Halloween costumes, or put baby in a onesie and make them a mushroom for Halloween.

My daughter who loves all things fairies and mystical vibes would probably love to have one of these hats, too. Stitch one up for your nature loving friend or for your kid to wear on the inevitable silly hat day. There are so many uses.

You can find the pattern on Ravelry, and there are pay what you can tiers if you need them.

I hope you will believe me that seeing this hat made my whole day, and I hope it does the same for you.

[Photo: Ainur Berkimbayeva]

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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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