** WE HAVE A WINNER! IT'S ARIADNESTHREAD - CONGRATS! **
I'm excited to review the new book by Kate Atherley - Custom Fit Hats. Not a standard pattern book, this is a complete recipe for making your own custom-fit hats, for any head, with any yarn. With directions for many types of hats, sizing information, and tutorials added for decorative flourishes like different edge finishes and pom-poms and tassels, this book has everything you’ll ever need to support your hat knitting.
Kate is a knitwear designer, teacher, and the author of the fabulous Custom Socks book, and the Knit Mitts book.
I have knitted out of these books and the results were much loved by their recipients.
Now she has brought her precise, clear, and comprehensive approach to the category of knitted hats.
Just looking at the Table of Contents tells you how complete and how methodical her approach is. She includes worksheets to customize the fit of any type of hat.
Kate provides a basic pattern that you can use as a starting point. There's detailed discussion of fitting, gauge, and a method to extract your own set of numbers.
Some of the special topics included are, chemo caps, various types of brims, slouch hats, and more. Interestingly enough, her method calls for a top-down approach. Just as with top down sweaters, this method lets you try it on as you go, and get both the width and the length just right for you.
A gauge swatch may not be required because you can measure the gauge as you knit.
She discusses the beanie, the toque, and the slouch hat. She reviews the types of yarn, and a types of needles you can use. Kate discusses how to add color, for example with stripes, and how to change the look of the crown.
Also covered: changing the brim, and cute add-ons such as pom poms and tassels. Several appropriate bind offs are also described.
If you like knitting hats, or if you've ever had trouble getting the fit right, or if you knit for a wide variety of head sizes, you'll get lots of benefit from this book. I highly recommend this book if you do any knitting of hats at all. It's a great jumping-off point for your own creativity too. You can buy it here. Custom Fit Hats
GIVEAWAY
I am also running a giveaway for a copy of Kate's book. Just comment on the blog that you are interested in winning the book, and say why you'd like to win. Contest ends on May 6th.
Make sure to provide a Ravelry ID, email, or cell phone, so I can reach you if you win! Good luck to everyone.
OTHER STUFF
While I have your attention I'd like to show you my newest pattern, the Color-Pop Houndstooth scarf. The classic houndstooth pattern gets an update with a pop of color in this modern scarf. Check it out here on Ravelry, or on Lovecrafts, if you prefer.
I have two new items added to my Etsy store, a
project bag with this cute sheep print,
and a
bag featuring a sheet music print, for all the music lovers you know.
Remember Mother's Day is just around the corner! And I'm having a Mother's Day sale right now.
