People often ask me what I am working on …. most of the time the answer is something for the store, and the rest of the time I’m usually fulfilling my self-imposed materteral duties and making something for my niece & nephew. I suppose it would be cheaper & easier to go out & buy them hats & such, but once they ask I have a hard time saying no to such a sincere request. Usually, it’s doll clothes, which I don’t really have an issue making because they get used CONSTANTLY, but this year new snow suits require new hats and neck warmers. The neck warmers are still forthcoming ….
Knit Hack: Pattern Choices
Freebies are nice, but sometimes it’s worth it to pay for a pattern. I chose to pay for the Bon Bon Toque by Tin Can Knits for a few reasons:
Reliability
Tin Can Knits patterns are reliable, and I didn’t want to have to tinker with a pattern too much. If there’s too much ripping back and restarting I find I don’t finish the project, especially when it’s a project I don’t find particularly inspiring.
Size Range
Tin Can Knits patterns generally provide you with a broad range of sizes, from baby to adult large. This really helps me with sizing for two different sized kids, especially if my tension is tighter and I need to go up a size to make the finished garment fit properly (which it was, and I did). Plus, if their parents want matching hats I can make those up without the exertion of having to modify a children’s pattern.
Re-Useability
The pattern is a classic look, and I can and may use it again. When you make something for a kid you never know if they are going to get really attached to it and want you to make it again 1. when they grow out of it, 2. when they lose it, 3. want it in another color, or all of the preceding. I try to make my self-imposed materteral duties as easy as possible to fulfill. The style also isn’t gendered, I can use it for both men and women, boys and girls.
Skill Level
Tin Can Knits patterns don’t tend to be too challenging to knit. They manage to keep things interesting without making you jump through hoops. The cable repeat in this pattern was simple and predictable, I didn’t have to refer to the instructions for every row, there wasn’t a complicated chart to follow.
Bon Bon Toque
I used Cascade 220 Superwash for this round of hats; I wanted a yarn that was machine washable, not too expensive, had a bit of a depth of colour (heathered colours work well for this), came a wide variety of colours to match their jackets, and was soft and comfortable. My tension with the yarn was a bit tighter than called for in the pattern and I didn’t want the textile to be loose, so I went down a needle size and up a size in the pattern (you can see my pattern notes on Ravelry). I also elongated the ribbing to make it long enough to fold over – I figured this might make the hat warmer, and give the garment a bit more longevity in the fit department as the kids grow.
Materials
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