My lovely friend Mel, who I designed the first Devra hat for, was definitely one of the most enthusiastic recipients of a hand knit I've made. So when she requested another version in a darker color, slouchy style, with a little longer brim to switch up with her other one, I was only too happy to comply!
Thus what I'm dubbing "Devra 2.5", heh.
The yarn, Bernat Alpaca Natural Blends, has come out with some new lovely colors and this one is a near black (color: Stone) which I thought lets the cables show through nicely. I did an extra repeat on my slouch version (Devra 2) to make it "extra slouchy" as she has such amazingly thick hair that the original was more "slightly loose" that full bodied. On me it looks close to a dread tam (can't really see all of it here), which I like just as much actually.
On the original design I kept the brim short as I think it's cute but also because while plastic mesh canvas (wonderful cheap stuff) works well as a brim stiffener it isn't the most shapable material on its own. It can tend to come out rather flat, which is more noticeable on a larger bill. Again I took some inspiration from my dabbling into millinery and wire reinforced the edge. It turned out simple to do. I wish I had done this for all my past hats! Take any gauge wire that's easy enough to shape and form it to the outside edge of your canvas. Then using a thread and needle whip stitch it into place. Doesn't have to be perfect, you won't see it once it's inside the knitting. Now it's easy to form into a shape that's to your liking.
The yarn, Bernat Alpaca Natural Blends, has come out with some new lovely colors and this one is a near black (color: Stone) which I thought lets the cables show through nicely. I did an extra repeat on my slouch version (Devra 2) to make it "extra slouchy" as she has such amazingly thick hair that the original was more "slightly loose" that full bodied. On me it looks close to a dread tam (can't really see all of it here), which I like just as much actually.
On the original design I kept the brim short as I think it's cute but also because while plastic mesh canvas (wonderful cheap stuff) works well as a brim stiffener it isn't the most shapable material on its own. It can tend to come out rather flat, which is more noticeable on a larger bill. Again I took some inspiration from my dabbling into millinery and wire reinforced the edge. It turned out simple to do. I wish I had done this for all my past hats! Take any gauge wire that's easy enough to shape and form it to the outside edge of your canvas. Then using a thread and needle whip stitch it into place. Doesn't have to be perfect, you won't see it once it's inside the knitting. Now it's easy to form into a shape that's to your liking.
Oooh.. I love that hat! I thank you for that millinery tip about the brim.. I have a slouchy rasta hat that I made for sale who's brim has given me FITS. Next time.. I will definitely try your idea.
Thanks for this! I'm finishing up Morgan for my brother-in-law and I've been dithering about how to tackle the brim. This couldn't have come at a better time!
Thanks again!
katie
Generally I do not post on blogs, but I would like to say that this post really forced me to do so! really nice post.