Easy Eight Hour* Hat

Looking for a simple hat that will keep you warm this winter? Here's an idea for an easy eight-hour project. The pattern is called Elizabeth, and it features a straightforward rib and cable design. The hat can be worn slouchy, or, with the ribbing folded up, in a more traditional, fitted style. It can be made with or without a pompom and is designed for a woman, but would fit most men as well.

I've knitted two of these hats in two lovely, bulky yarns that we stock at close knit. The first with Rowan Cocoon, in the Crag colorway:

Rowan Cocoon is a lovely, lovely yarn spun of 80% merino wool and 20% mohair and comes in many gorgeous colorways. The Rowan website describes it as "rugged and luxurious", which is an apt description, I think. This yarn is sturdy, yet the mohair gives it a soft glow. Best of all, you need only one ball.

I made my second Elizabeth with Malabrigo Chunky, a wonderfully squishy, kettle-dyed three-ply superfine Merino wool.

I know that many of you are Malabrigo fans, and I must say that this is my favorite Malabrigo yet. I used about 1.25 skeins for my hat. With two skeins, you will have a bit of yarn left over for a small project, and with its incredible softness, it would be suitable for a baby hat or booties.

The designer of Elizabeth is Jane Richmond and you can purchase and download the hat at Jane's Etsy site or on Ravelry. The pattern consists of a large band of ribbing, followed by a simple cable design and calls for US11 needles, but I used 10.5. Please do a gauge swatch! Even with a hat project, a gauge swatch can make the difference between a hat for your grandpa and a hat for your newborn. Different yarns (even yarns that are listed as having the same gauge) will knit up differently, depending on fiber content, loft or how tightly you knit.

This hat is a great project for beginners and seasoned knitters alike and would be a fabulous first cable project. I highly recommend this pattern and both of these yarns. It is a fast, straightforward knit - perfect for a last-minute gift for yourself or someone special.

*estimate only...actual knitting times may vary