Pattern Scout
We Interrupt This Knitalong
Dear Ann,
Over the holiday weekend, I was minding my own business, knitting sock number 3 of my entire life as an enthusiastic participant in our MDK Wandering Socks Knitalong. Once in a while, I’d take a break to eat, hang my giant flag quilt, make a giant flag cake, or go on a little scroll through Instagram.
That’s when I slipped and fell into another dimension. Or at least, another knitalong.
Denise Bayron had declared a fast and furious long-weekend knitalong for her Hatdana pattern. For those unfamiliar with this hybrid accessory on the borderline between hat and cowl, here it is:
I’m not a hat or headscarf person in general, but I love a scarf. Even in summer, I don’t want my neck to be lonely.
I immediately realized Hatdana’s potential as a perfect little summer shmattah, for style and to keep the AC at bay. I wanted to knit it in different yarns: Sylph, Rowan Denim, and Euroflax linen—o, the possibilities! I bought the pattern, and carried it around with me with a hank of Sylph. For weeks. Weeks in which I didn’t knit it.
When Denise declared this speedy knitalong, I felt like it was time to do this thing. I no longer had my Sylph with me, but I scrounged up some Rowan Denim that I’d unraveled from a big floppy sweater I’d bought on eBay, back when I used to buy stuff like that on eBay.
I cast on, using long straight size 5 needles because that was what I had. I hadn’t knit with long straight needles in dog’s years, but I made it work.
And I fell in love. Hatdana is one of those patterns that feels just right, from the git-go. It hits the sweet spot of being easy to memorize but keeping your attention. The 3-stitch center cable is perfection, and the eyelets that frame it give you an anchor in each row. Slipped stitches and k1, p1 rib make a neat, smooth edge. Denise’s videos, linked in the pattern itself, provide support just when you need it. (My moment of greatest need was the sewn bind-off, an elegant touch that was totally worth the effort.)
Things I thought about while I was knitting my Hatdana:
How cute a tiny Hatdana would be for a small dog, and how easy, since you can simply stop when you get to the length you want and then join in the round to do the ribbing: presto! Dog scarf!
How nice it might be to just keep going on the main part of Hatdana, until you had a big triangle of a scarf/shawl, and how maybe you’d have to add extra increases on the “wings” so that it would not get too long before it got wide enough.
How knitting Hatdana gave me the same soothing endorphins as my beloved Ballband Dishcloths.
How cute a Hatdana would look on many people in my life.
How glad I was that I had cast on my second sock before casting on Hatdana, so that I don’t fall prey to Second Sock Syndrome so early in my sock-knitting career.
Optional Styling Suggestions
Queenie walking the corgis-style.
Robbing a small western bank-style.
Me-style.
Conclusion: Hatdana is a great one. Find you some DK, worsted, or fingering weight, and whip one up.
Love,
Kay
You are STYLIN’!
You made me tear up a little. Thank you for sharing!!
A perfect weekend pattern. I can’t wait to cast on. Of course, in my mind’s eye, it’s already knit. Thanks!
Oh, Queenie-style is so bang on! Olive is playing her part to perfection too, she almost passes for a corgi
Olive is so believable as a corgi. What an actah!!! And that Hatdana totally transforms you to a Lizzie-lookalike!!
Queenie styling aside (SNORT) , you got me! It’s an unruly hair person’s dream accessory.
You need a Hatdana-of-the-day, my friend. Perfect knitting on-the-go, too.
Hatdana hair – Don’t care!!!!
I have been wearing a scarf over my hair lately whenever I feel like it. I remember when everyone’s mom and grandmother needed to go to the hairdresser soon so they just threw a cute polyester scarf over that scary hair and headed out the door to the Piggly Wiggly. I can see this as a great addition and possibly a more practical, stay put approach. It started with me as a practical approach when I lived where the sun would fry your hair and brain but coming back to the US its a bit more political than practical and just feels good. Plus, no hair in my eyes is the best feeling ever.
Ooo, please tell how it is more political than practical. I’ve been wanting to wear head scarves and would love to have a reason other than ‘cute’. Thanks!
I love the way this looks and I love the way you wrote about the experience. I bought the pattern immediately. I have some Rowan Denim sitting around so I want to make one just like it! Do you think the Rowan Denim will maintain its stretch or will it just be used as a cowl?
Surprisingly, even in cotton, it works as a head scarf/bandana just fine. Several people have tried it on and it stays put. Just get the size right, with maybe an inch of negative ease.
Thanks for that tantalizing overview; I’m hooked and can’t wait to knit one. The chic photos at the end only add to my enthusiasm.
LOL! Have fun!
Loved and bought this pattern the minute I saw it – maybe now is the time for, you know, actually knitting it. Your queen-with-corgi styling may be the nudge I needed.
Now you need matching socks. So does Olive.
Would this work in Shibui Twig (46% linen, 42% recycled silk, 12% wool), color Blueprint – do you think? I’ve been knitting a Siesta cowl in it, and it just isn’t working – looks like the Hat-dana might be a better fit. Thanks.
Oops, never mind – just read what the designer said about linen not working so well.
(Still gonna try the Siesta in something else – lovely pattern, not a good fit with that yarn.)
Alright Kay, I have purchased the pattern. Your post and the photos of you modeling the Hatdana requite tantalizing. When I tapped on the link and saw Denise’s photos too, that sealed the deal. I look forward to a soothing knit resulting in a great accessory!
BTW, that pic of you holding Olive reminds me of that iconic shot of Leonardo and Kate from the movie Titanic (although I never saw the movie). You with the Hatdana to keep the sea breeze from messing your hair. Who knows, perhaps Olive is thinking, ” I’m Queen of the world!”. Oh Olive.
Before I read the Queenie caption, I thought perhaps you and Olive were doing a Grey Gardens remake part II.
Surprised and glad u didn’t KonMari Mari that sweater away! I too love that pattern.
I’m thinking the bank-robbing style would be so great when I have to get off the train and walk two blocks to the office in a blizzard! Love your and Olive’s modeling.
Oh, definitely Robbing A Small Western Bank style…perfect for protection working in a windy train yard while still looking chic!
It’s so YOU in the Rowan Denim! And I want your phone case.
Love your photo captions! Write more!
Ginaknits, try the pattern Taylor in linen. I believe it is on Ravelry. I loved the pattern, easy, mostly garter.
Thanks again MDK, now I know what I am knitting. I need a gift for the end of August. My yarn arrived yesterday. Beautiful color, Ruby, will be gorgeous Hatdana as will the wearer.