Projects
An Excellent 4-Hour Hat
Dear Ann,
I’m having a blast with the Giftalong this year. Having so many choices—the many moods of handknit gifts—is perfect for the knitter with a short attention span. I get in the mood to Knit All the Things, and when I do, it’s super helpful if those things can be finished in a short time.
This past weekend, I set myself a Timed Knitting Challenge. I sat myself down in front of the computer and cued up some Masterpiece Theatre, set my phone’s clock to stopwatch mode, and cast on for the largest size of the Rubble Hat in MDK Field Guide No. 12: Big Joy.
Four hours, 7 minutes, and 16.36 seconds later, I had a Rubble Hat, size large.
That time included knitting the 5 rounds at the top that I had to pull back when I realized that (1) since I hadn’t started with a full ball of my main color, I was going to run out just before the crown decreases, and (2), the hat was plenty big without those 5 rows of the chart.
I feel like I should get some kind of time off my score for those extracurricular rounds, but even so: it’s a 4-hour hat.
And what a hat! A substantial hat. A—dare I say it—dressy hat. I have admired this hat for its style and also for its millinery heft. When you do stranded colorwork in Big Wool, you are going to achieve heft, by golly. This ain’t no beanie. (Not that I don’t love beanies—I do!)
The extra 5 rows of the chart would have given it even more height and drama, but as you can see, there is ample headspace, even with the hat pulled well over my model’s ears. She can keep her mad money and a few snacks up there.
For the Record
I have not abandoned my mates on Team Sock. (Get it? Mates? Socks?)
I followed your rule for protection against Second Sock Syndrome, and cast on sock 2 of this pair immediately. Knitting the Rubble Hat was merely a rest stop on the road to Sock 2.
Love,
Kay
I have equal appreciation for the quick & satisfying knit, and the vocab ❤️❤️ ‘millinery heft.’
Can you give me the info on the blank you show in the picture for the sock….color and where to purchase?
It’s from the Knitting Garage in Rhinebeck, New York. No color on the label, just “dyed by Leah.”
Wonderful colors! In fact I bought 7 different ones and am having the most productive evenings watching the telly/tv/idiot box.
4days=3hats+1short cowl. And I agree, the top of the hat is generous in the larger size so decreasing rows sooner seems okay. For the 2 child+toddler – I have knit as written, small heads=growing heads?
Thus, 2-3-4 to go, gosh, I may need to buy more.
I would also like to know about that sock blank!
See above!
The hat looks so much better on than off. This is making me rethink my previous stance on bulky hats. Maybe I will need to…join a team…a knitting team…
Good luck finding a knitting team, Amber. 😉
I’ve decided the only hat for me is a bulky hat. I have a very un-hatty head in general but this one looks fine.
Great hat! I think I might like a bulky hat too!
Kay, what brand (size?) are your needles for your socks?
That hat is a great fit without the 5 xtra rounds! One more sleep and you’ll be MC of your own team Kay;) Field Guide No 13!
Yay!!! Can’t wait
Need a quick hat pattern, because I’m a slow knitter. Thanks
I love this hat! I think I might make some for my grandsons and two of their friends they play ice hockey with. The team colors are blue and white, so I’ll let that guide me. Now, off to get the yarn!
i do love your posts. thanks for sharing the hat!
Hi my is Terry an it’s my first time kintting an I love it so far
Love the hat. Don’t know if I am brave enough to try the pattern yet. I haven’t tried any thing with a pattern yet.
Cute hat and I have not knit in two strands before! My head is 23 inch circumference, this hat looks like it may be for me!
Hi!
I made this hat for a friend who is going through cancer treatment, and I am
In agreement—it could be a fine thing with fewer rows. It’s quite like a chef’s toque at the full adult size. Nevertheless, I persisted, and we both thought it was very jolly with its blue ground and lavender blobs. She’s a sport!
Hello Kay,
As we come towards the gift giving season…. I woke up with the intention of making a 4 hour hat and then I see your post! This is like a knitters telepathy and thank you for sharing this lovely knit and adding so much joy!
❤️Kesang Namgyal
I think Second Sleeve syndrome may be a thing too