Master Cables with This Cute Hat

I think sometimes people get intimidated about learning new skills because they don’t want to have to work with something new on a really big project that might be too difficult or frustrating.

(That’s why I really want my next book to be a whole bunch of knitting skills but only scarves, because who’s scared of a scarf?)

That’s also why I like this pattern from Classic Elite Yarns. The Cable Top Cap by Susan Mills is a cute little beret, and it’s worked from the bottom up so it starts out just like any other hat you’ve ever knit.

The cable portion is at the top and helps make the great star/floral motif at the top, but the great thing is it’s only 14 rounds of the project. That’s enough to get comfortable but not too much to get overwhelmed, I think.

And even if you’re totally good with both hats and cables, this would be a great project for fall and winter, or even for gift knitting, don’t you think?

[Photo via Classic Elite Yarns.]

Looking for more Cable-styled knitting patterns? Check out these Cable Knit Patterns on Etsy

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Not too long ago my daughter and I had a discussion about what a chestnut really looks like. The nut itself is small and brown, of course, but on the tree they’re covered with this weird kind of spiky, kind of fuzzy shell. It’s a wonder anyone ever figured out they were edible.

If you didn’t know that, you might wonder why this project is call Chestnut balaclava, but now you know.

This fun design from Yevheniia Pyroh is covered with spikes just like a chestnut shell, and is even the same color, though of course you can make yours whatever color you like. It uses two strands of fingering weight yarn held together (which it says is fingering weight but you could try a light/DK yarn and see if you get gauge with it if you’d rather).

There are two different design options in the pattern. One is a more fitted balaclava style hat (it doesn’t cover the face but does go around the neck) and a looser fit hood.

It’s worked primarily in garter stitch, with shaping done by knitting and purling in the same stitch and through various decreases (including a knit 3 together).

The pattern is charted but also explained in words. It’s worked flat to the size you want, and then joined into a hood shape with ribbing at the neck. The opening for the face is finished with I-cord.

This hood/balaclava would definitely be a conversation starter and in different colors it might read more dinosaur than chestnut, which could also be fun. The sizing is totally custom so you can make it fit whatever head you’re stitching for.

If you want to try it for yourself (and I’d love to hear about it if you do!) you can download the free pattern from Ravelry.

[Photo: Yevheniia Pyroh]

Balaclava Knitting Patterns

Colorwork Balaclava Knitting Pattern [Knitting]

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