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

I 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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I love a good pattern with a bit of whimsy, and luckily for me that’s easy to find when it comes to Easter knitting patterns. Read on for fun patterns with a theme of bunnies, chicks and eggs, perfect to knit for Easter and beyond.

There’s something about the combination of babies and Easter (and knit things, of course) that is just extra cute, so I couldn’t help sharing this bunny ear hat for babies from Catherine Anfield. It’s actually a set that includes a matching romper, but I’m focused on that sweet hat with the droopy bunny ears. It’s worked in worsted weight yarn, sized to fit a newborn and available on Ravelry.

For bigger kids and adults, Amanda Berry has this cute bunny ears headband, which is a free pattern on Ravelry. They call for bulky weight yarn and are worked in garter stitch, so they’re a great project for beginners.

Whether your egg hunt involves real eggs or the candy variety, you might want to knit up something to keep them warm. WarmandKnittedS on Etsy has a cute set of egg warmers with an Easter twist including a little hat, a chick, a bunny, an owl, a carrot and a sheep. The patterns call for sport weight yarn.

The patterns from Wild Welsh Knitting say they are specifically for creme eggs, but they would probably cozy real eggs just fine, too. This set includes a rabbit, hen, chick and piggy all worked in DK weight yarn. These knit up super fast for a fun little addition to your egg hunt or as a fundraiser.

How about eggs that look like bunnies? Amy Gunderson has this cute pattern (with knit and crochet versions) for an egg shaped rabbit that looks like it’s wearing a little ear hat made with a contrasting color. The pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, but try different weights to get different sizes of eggs. You can find the pattern, called Egg-cited, on Ravelry.

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