pieKnits

Project Path for this hat:

• While thrifting, find and fall in love with fantastic 40′s era reproduction dress
• Decide it needs a hat to go with it (this should surprise no one)
• Troll through Etsy’s vintage hats
• Find inspiration photo
• Find knitting pattern (Deb’s Derby) for jumping off point
• Raid stash for wool yarn (Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool)
• Form a rough plan (slightly smaller around, shorter crown, short rows for asymmetrical brim) and just start knitting
• Felt and shape on styrofoam head block
• Embellish with black grosgrain ribbon and felt swallow cutout
• Put it on and never want to take it off

Detail shot of the felt swallow bird cutout, I really love how it turned out. I wanted a less formal, more day wear look for this and thus no extravagant flowers or feathers. I really like the simplicity.

For my first run at it, I am so stoked with how close to the original inspiration photo this turned out. This is my first time working with Fisherman’s Wool and I have to say it felts beautifully. I may even prefer it to my usual Patons Classic Wool Merino, sadly it has limited colors.

This was a fun, very organic process- although really I probably should have written down my notes/changes to try other variations. You never remember as much as you think you will. But where’s the fun with no experimentation?

Pattern mods added after the jump >>

OK here are the pattern modifications to the best of my knowledge!

CO 80 sts instead of 100. Purled first two rows (this gives it more of a rounded edge). Work for 1.5 inches.
Short rows: (basically two sections worked over 20 sts with alternating plain sections of 20 sts)
Knit
40, Wrap and turn, purl 20, W&t knit back to 2 sts before previous
wrap, w&t; repeat 2 more times then continue around and work same
thing over last 20 sts in the round.
Continue with pattern working another 2 inches.
For the sides of the hat work 5 inches instead of 8.
Follow the rest of the pattern as written (noting your stitch counts will be less).