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Review: Margeau Chapeau: A New Perspective on Classic Knit Hats

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Margeau Chapeau book reviewI really love knitting hats. I don’t wear hats enough to justify how much I love knitting hats, but at least every year I have to knit myself a new one.

hat knitting patterns called Margeau Chapeau

They’re a lot of fun because you can use all sorts of different techniques on them, they feel a little more sophisticated skill-wise than scarves because there’s usually a little shaping, but they are relatively small projects that you can finish faster than a shawl or sweater. And because they’re an accessory, you can get a little wild with color and style in a way you might not with something you wear more often.

Margeau Soboti loves hats, too, especially in classic shapes with a twist. Her book has 14 patterns, 7 each rated easy and intermediate. There are cables, brioche, ribbing, simple colorwork and easy shapes using bulky yarn for projects that are fun to knit and finished in a flash. All are sized for women, with one also having an option for men.

I love Optical, a two-color beanie sized for women that uses a simple stitch pattern and is highlighted by a giant pompom; Twist Turban, a super simple project that is just what it sounds like; Charlie Chevron, a slouchy hat worked in one color with a textured zig-zag pattern; and the Ombre Hat, worked in two colors that shift through the knitting for a look that’s more fun than basic stripes. You can check out all the projects on Ravelry.

This book offers a lot of great basic hats you’ll want to knit and wear every day. That makes it sound boring, but it’s really not. These patterns are a great combination of luxury and simplicity, ease and style you’re sure to love for yourself and for any gift knitting you might want to do. Those turbans could be my go-to gift knit this year.

About the Book: 78 pages, paperback, 14 patterns. Published by Dover Publications, March 2016. Suggested retail $16.95.

 

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Summer T-Shirt Knitting Patterns

Knitters are always looking for ways to continue to knit and to wear their knits even when it’s hot outside, so there are tots of great T0shirt knitting patterns to choose from. I love knitting short-sleeved shirts because they feel so much faster than sweaters, and you can wear them on top of dresses or even longer-sleeved items when it gets cooler.

There are lots of different styles of knit tops, from the basic to the more detailed. On the more basic side are things like the Perfect T-Shirt from Originally Lovely, a basic raglan tee with nine sizes and worked in worsted weight yarn; Paper Bloom by Yvonne Hugo (free on Ravelry), available in six sizes and worked with cotton and silk yarn for extra coolness; or Iris H’s Amelia Top, also on Ravelry, a slim fit, DK weight top with nine size.

Jazz it up with a bit of lace like on the Athens Lace Hem top by Sarah Hatton (Ravelry). This otherwise simple project has a bit of lace at the bottom, which is an easy way to make a project more interesting without a ton of work. This one uses fingering weight yarn and comes in nine sizes.

Another simple embellishment is to emphasize the lines of your top with different stitches. The Spring Lines top uses twisted ribbing at the center front and V-neck and along the raglan lines to give it a slimmer fit and more interest. This design from Turquoise Toque Designs has 11 size options and is available on Ravelry.

Silfurberg by Joji Locatelli uses both of these elements, with lace panels at the center front and back and purl ridges throughout to make it a little more fun to knit and to wear. The pattern uses fingering weight yarn and comes in 10 sizes. Learn more on Ravelry.

Keep it simple or add puffed sleeves (and/or long sleeves) to the slim fit Knitty Committee top by Lily Kate France. This one has two length options, waist shaping and optional bust darts to fulfill all your curvy top dreams, and it comes in nine sizes. You’ll find it on Ravelry.

Take it even more romantic with the Daphne Top from Friday Knits, which has puffed sleeves and applied I-cord to emphasize the bust and sweetheart neckline. It comes in eight sizes and uses DK weight yarn.

Or add some sweet flowers with the Gigio pattern from Emilie Luis. This pretty pattern found on Ravelry has cable panels running up the front with the option for adding sweet embroidered flowers. You can also add decorative buttons if you like. It comes in 11 sizes and calls for sport weight yarn.