Topography Hat Pattern Collection: The Architrave Hat
The first hat pattern release of my new collection is the Architrave hat! Inspired by geological and architectural features, the modern stranded colorwork design uses one skein of worsted weight wool for the body of the hat and less than 3 yards of scrap wool for the colorwork.
Worked from the bottom up starting with 1x1 ribbing, the body of the hat is knit in stockinette working up to a series of simple K2T decreases. With only a few rows of stranded colorwork to knit, the design is easy and approachable for colorwork beginners.
Architrave is a timeless unisex design reminiscent of desert mesas and pyramids built by ancient civilizations. The simple alternating colors create a unique and interesting design that is still neutral and easy to wear.
pattern details:
Yarn
1 skein of worsted weight (category 4) yarn
Suggested: Patons Classic Wool Worsted
Needles
Size US 6 (4mm) circular or double-pointed needles
Tools
Tapestry needle for finishing
Gauge
Work 15 stitches in stockinette over 20 rows
Finished swatch should measure 3.25 x 3.5”
Finished Dimensions
Completed hat measures approximately 9 x 9.5”
introducing the topography hat pattern collection
i am so excited to share with you my new collection of hat patterns, releasing over the course of the month of march! the topography collection is inspired by architectural and geological features around the world and a desire to produce a series of unisex hats that are understated yet visually interesting, and modern yet timeless.
including two simple colorwork designs and two chunky knit hats, all four patterns are perfect for intermediate or adventurous beginners. the patterns are simple and quick to knit and feature techniques such as stranded colorwork, interesting stitch patterns, and cables.
while these hats would look incredible knit up in any kind of yarn, I specifically wanted to utilize high quality natural fiber and natural fiber-blend yarns for the samples that are affordable and widely available at local craft stores. i not only wanted to highlight some really great yarns at really great prices, but also to make these patterns and finished objects even more accessible to everyone. i hope you love these designs as much as i do!
architrave
Introducing the architrave hat! a beanie-style fitted knit with just a little bit of slouch, the pattern features a simple colorwork design influenced by ancient stepped pyramids and desert mesas. worked up in a few yards of contrast colored wool, the design is both subtle and visually interesting.
this pattern calls for one skein of a medium worsted weight/category 4 yarn, and size us 6 (4.0mm) needles. I highly recommend Patons classic wool worsted, the praises of which i have sung before (see my post: the best affordable, natural fiber yarns). This yarn is a workhorse! it is 100% wool, blocks up incredibly soft, and clocks in at around $6-7 a skein at local craft stores. i almost always have a skein of the black or aran colors on hand! for the architrave sample, i used colorway “heath heather.”
the pattern for architrave will be available as a pdf download on friday, march 5th on both elisemade.com and ravelry!
silicate
silicate is the second hat pattern and first chunky knit in the topography collection. using a series of knit and purl stitches to create a stacked chevron pattern this hat is designed to be reversible, with the “knit” side highlighting a neat 4-pointed crown and the “purl” side showcasing the alternating stitches. this hat knits up incredibly fast and could be made in about an hour!
the pattern for silicate calls for one skein of a super bulky/category 6 yarn and size us 13 (9mm) needles. for the sample i used the ubiquitous lion brand wool-ease thick & quick in color kale. the pattern includes both written and charted instructions.
the pattern for silicate will be available as a pdf download on friday, march 15th on both elisemade.com and ravelry!
taiga
Taiga is the third hat in the collection, and the second stranded colorwork design. evocative of chilly winters and traditional nordic sweater patterns, taiga is both unique and classic. Choose a contrasting color to keep the design neutral, or get creative with color combinations!
this pattern calls for a medium worsted weight/category 4 yarn and size us 6 (4.0mm) needles. for this sample i used patons classic wool worsted in color new denim, and color navy for the colorwork design.
the pattern for taiga will be available as a pdf download on friday, march 22nd on both elisemade.com and ravelry!
pylon
The last design in the series is the pylon hat, a slouchy knit worked up in chunky weight yarn. this pattern begins with an off-beat ribbing that works up into tight cables running up to the crown of the hat. Pylon is an easy and repetitive pattern that can be worked up in about an hour!
this pattern calls for a super bulky/category 6 yarn and size us 13 (9mm) needles. i used a new yarn for the first time for this sample, and i was very impressed with the quality and softness! Check out loops & threads lush alpaca (20% alpaca!) in color gray. pattern includes both written and charted instructions.
the pattern for taiga will be available as a pdf download on friday, march 29th on both elisemade.com and ravelry!
many thanks to the fantastic fit model, my long-time and very talented comedian and writer friend wahab shayek, who helped bring this collection to life!
DIY: "Sammie" Chunky Cable Knit Hat Pattern
Around the end of January 2018 I designed this simple cabled hat for my dear friend Sammie, and posted the pattern for free here on my blog. Since then, it’s become one of my most popular posts! I decided it was time to put together a proper PDF and release it as an official elisemade pattern.
This hat pattern is knit starting with the ribbed brim and working up through 4 rounds of simple cables. And with the bulky sized yarn, it’s a very fast and satisfying project! I recommend using wool and the gang crazy sexy wool, but any comparable bulky weight will work.
Click the button below to download the free pattern PDF!
diy: free chunky cabled hat pattern
when i asked my best friend sammie what she wanted for christmas 2017 (handknit, of course!), she knew her answer right away: a basic black hat. I was more than happy to oblige! wanting to honor her wishes for "basic" but also wanting to make her something special, i knew a hat full of chunky cables was the answer.
since i used a super bulky wool, the hat knit up very fast (aren't quick projects the best?) and the cable pattern is very easy and repetitive. so grab your needles and some chunky yarn and cast on this cozy winter hat!
materials:
US 13 (9mm) double-pointed needles
cable needle, extra dpn, or stitch holder for cabling
yarn: wool and the gang crazy sexy wool in space black or another super bulky yarn
tapestry needle
key:
k - knit
p - purl
c2l - cable two stitches in front, to the left
k2t - knit two stitches together
pattern:
cast on 40 stitches across 4 needles (10 stitches/needle)
alternate K1/p1 ribbing for 6 rows
* P1, K4, p1, k4 across each needle
repeat 4 times
row 5: p1, C2L, p1, c2l across each needle
repeat pattern from * 4 times
to decrease:
R1: P1, k2t, k2t, p1, k2t, k2t across each needle
r2: p1, k2T, p1, k2T across each needle
r3: p1, k2T, p1, k2t
r4: weave end through remaining 8 stitches to bind off
the finished hat is a great winter basic that still has visual interest. if you're into pompoms i think this hat would look super cute with one!
what color chunky cabled hat would you make?
ravelry roundup: selfish knitting
I can count on one hand the handknits I have actually kept for myself, so one of my major goals this year is to do a lot more selfish knitting. Here's 5 patterns I'm itching to make:
1. the weekender sweater by andrea mowry
© Andrea Mowry
i am obsessed with the drop shoulder detailing but overall simplicity of this sweater design. i want to make it in a similar marled gray, because i love gray everything! i love that she offers two design variations, one simply without the sleeves for a fun spring knit.
find the pattern here and follow andrea on instagram here!
2. marled mania leggings by stephen west
© Stephen West
i just love everything stephen west makes, and he's the undeniable king of bright bold color combinations and designs. i've been dying to make a penguono for a few years now, and once i saw these leggings i knew i had to add them to my westknits list.
the best part about this pattern is that it is designed to help use up leftover bits of fingering weight; as someone that definitely needs to destash in 2018, i am excited to try out this pattern. plus, since i've never knit pants before i'm looking forward to learning some new techniques!
find the pattern here.
3. cast away scarf by wool and the gang
© Wool and the Gang
pretty much all of wool and the gang's patterns are killer, and i want to make just about every sweater design that they sell. they also do just the coolest collabs with brands like soludos and really think outside of the box in terms of what knitting can be. i love them so much! i've been really wanting a cool triangle shawl/scarf and the tassels on this one are just perfect. I would probably choose a soft pink or black color in their shiny happy cotton to make this scarf.
find the pattern here.
4. winter honey shawl by andrea mowry
© Andrea Mowry
i've obviously been crushing hard on andrea's incredible designs. i've never made anything with that much cable detail, so i love the idea of this project to really push my boundaries and skills. i can imagine wrapping myself in this shawl in the early mornings when i like to drink tea and knit. i love that mustard color!
find the pattern here.
5. mexican serape blanket by alexandra tavel
© Alexandra Tavel
not only does this blanket look super cute and cozy, $1 from each pattern sale goes to help fund earthquake relief efforts in mexico. alexandra has a few other beautiful blanket patterns that are part of her "purposeful patterns" series; my other favorite is the moroccan wedding blanket!
find the pattern here, and check out her other designs here!
What are your selfish knitting plans for this year?