Well, I did it. I designed a hat and wrote a knitting pattern.
I had been toying with designing a hat for a while, and I ended up with a pattern that’s warm and appeals to those who think they do not usually look good in hats. It is traditional, but with a twist, and it is oh, so easy for beginners to understand.
And so, The OhSo:
The OhSo Hat: Easy, Warm, Double-Brimmed
Oh, so easy to knit. Even a beginner can knit it in a day or two.
Oh, so warm – Like, really warm.
Oh, so wearable. The Renaissance-style double brim complements any size face, which makes it perfect for anyone, including those who feel they do not look good in hats.
What you need to know before knitting your OhSo:
1- How to cast on using a long-tail cast on (you may also use the Twisted German or Old Norwegian cast on).
2- How to knit in the round on a circular needle. You may convert the pattern to double points, Magic Loop, or the Traveling Method, but the directions are written for two circular needles.
3- How to purl.
4- How to knit two together (K2tog)
5- To finish the top of the hat: How to knit with two circular
needles. Again, you may use double points, Magic Loop, or the Traveling Method.
Supplies needed:
1- 110-120 yards of any chunky (bulky) yarn. Super bulky is also an option.
2- Two 6mm (U.S. 10) circular needles – one with a 16-inch cable. The second size 6mm (U.S. 10) circular can have a cable length of any size. Or, if you prefer to knit on two circular needles from beginning to end, you may use whatever cable lengths work best for you.
3- A ruler and a soft tape measure.
4- A large-eye tapestry needle
5- Optional: Knitting needle tips to protect yarn from coming off the needles as you try on your hat.
Gauge: 3-4 stitches per inch. Because this is a one-size fits all user-friendly pattern, the design allows for flexibility in gauge.
The pattern has no abbreviations, and it is easy to understand. It has been featured as a well-written pattern on the Knitting Pipeline Podcast and The Knit Wits Podcast, and it has been included in the WWKP (Well-Written Knitting Patterns) Group on Ravelry.
If you are a member of the Knitting is Gluten Free Forum on Ravelry, we have a Knit-A-Long for the OhSo Hat there. Here’s the link:
http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/knitting-is-gluten-free—fiber-is-gluten-free/1973453/1-25
If you’d like to purchase the OhSo Hat pattern, it is $4.00 here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ohso-hat-easy-warm-double-brimmed
Or, you may send a check to Lee Bernstein, 1631 Novo Drive, Schererville, Indiana 46375.
Feedback welcome.
Love to all,
Lee
PS: Many thanks to daughter Michelle for modeling the hat.
What do you wish you knew how to knit? Find the BEST, guaranteed knitting and crochet tutorials here. Thank you to Designer Nenah Galati and Knitting Korner for helping support Knitting is Gluten Free.
Find and write to Lee on Ravelry:
User Name: LeeBernstein
Visit the Knitting Is Gluten Free Forum on Ravelry, here: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/knitting-is-gluten-free
Copyright Lee Bernstein, all rights reserved
Hurrah! Congratulations! And welcome to the world of design. The first few patterns are the most challenging / intimidating, I have found. So – go you!
Kathleen,
Glad to know that the first few are the most challenging. As much respect as I’ve always had for those who design and write their own patterns, after doing one, my respect has grown considerably. Even the most simple pattern takes an incredible amount of time, if done right. I never knew just how much until now.
I hope you’re doing well. It’s always a treat to see you here. Thanks for the kind words.
I can’t wait to start mine for the KAL. Now if only the needles I ordered would show up so I can! It’s a great looking hat & the pattern is well written. Thanks so much!
Jenn, it means the world to me that you’re participating in the KAL. Thanks for your kind words. I hope winter is treating you well. Sending a hug.
Hooray for officially publishing it. It’s a great hat!
Andrea,
Thank you . . . and yours was the best yarn EVER to use for the hat. What a treat it was to meet you (and your beautiful hand-spun fiber).
This is a great pattern. I was part of the KAL and love, love, love the way the hat turned out. Even my husband commented on how nice it looked on me. I will definitely be making more of this.
Thank you, Pat. You made my day.
Great job on the hat!! It really looks nice.
Hi, Tory,
I am horribly behind in replying to posts. I had some problems with the site that are now corrected. Thank you most dearly for your kind words. Sending love.