Chunkeanie
I was surprised my friend Rosie didn’t know about this FREE pattern since we had made a store sample years ago, but then I remembered that it wasn’t kicking around the store because I WORE the sample all last winter – it was my favourite hat of the season. I’ve rectified my transgression and made a new store sample with a skein of Malabrigo Mecha, and it looks even better than the first incarnation. Just one caveat, I made a mistake and followed the instructions for the wrong pattern (the Long Beanie) for the crown decreases, so my latest doesn’t look exactly like the pattern pics. I guess I’ll have to do a third!
Yarn Options
Malabrigo Mecha: 1 skein
Diamond Luxury Baby Alpaca Sport: 1 skein
Malabrigo Chunky SALE: 1 skein
Berroco Vintage Chunky: 1 skein
Materials
- FREE pattern
- 5mm/US8 – 16″ circular needles
- 5mm/US8 double pointed needles
- 1 stitch marker
- tapestry or darning needle
A Note on Fibre Behaviour
Different fibres behave in different ways. Alpaca has a LOT of drape, and will slouch copiously (Like the Diamond Luxury Baby Alpaca Sport). Wool has a lot of body and will keep its shape well (likeMalabrigo Mecha or Malabrigo Chunky). Blends will vary in behaviour, combinations of wool & synthetic will have some drape and also keep some shape (like Berroco Vintage Chunky). Additionally, if you want your hat to drape or slouch more, knit it at a looser tension (on slightly larger needles), and if you want it to have more body and keep its shape, make it with at a firm tension (on slightly smaller needles). Alpaca also lacks stitch definition due to its fuzziness, which is much more prominent in a wool or a wool blend.
