I whipped up a hat in record time this week! I used a ball and a half of Jasper, a gorgeous self-striping merino wool that knits up so quickly I can hardly believe it (about 4 hours, which for me is superduper fast). I used Jared Flood’s wildly popular Turn a Square pattern but instead of striping two yarns, I just let Jasper do it’s stripe-y thing. I think the cast-on edge is especially good looking. I used Ysolda’s tutorial for a 2×2 “stocking stitch” tubular cast-on and really elevates the simple toque. It’s a little big on me, but it’s going to someone special, I’m just keeping it warm (or the other way around…)
Some other cute patterns for Jasper and/or hats: Janine, Jester the cozy (and free!) Bell Rock Turtleneck and the Josepha cowl. I already have plans to knit another Jasper hat as a last minute birthday gift for a new friend. Jasper, I <3 you!
CR
i love jasper’s stripey goodness! which colorway is that?
thanks for the link to the tutorial – can’t wait to try it out =)
Whoops, I forgot to say! It is #3810 Copper Silk =)
Love the Jasper hat, but in truth, I am DYING to know the results of the sock star contest! When do we find out?!
Hi Rebecca! I believe it is in today’s KnitBits! We just did the photoshoot and I think everything looks so great! I’m just bummed we couldn’t make it a double sized booklet!
so i researched it and it turns out that nancie wiseman is “never pleased with the finished look” of the 2×2 tubular cast-on. but from what i can tell yours looks great, especially since part of her dislike for it is rooted in the fact that the matching bind-off is messy and that’s not a problem with hats, obviously.
i know what you mean about the cast-on “elevating” the entire hat, though. i always try to use neat little techniques like that, even if the recipient of whatever i’m working on at the time probably won’t know the difference. 🙂
also now i sort of want to buy some jasper…
I’m so with you! It’s so tempting to go with your old standbys but I’m glad you’re also pushing yourself! The cast on I used look great (except maybe near the join) but it wasn’t SUPER stretchy, but then again, it’s not the only tubular method and I think it was kind of the “easy” one, so I should try an even better one next time!
P.S. Congrats AGAIN on the contest win! We just had the photoshoot and it looks so cute!!
You’re gorgeous!! Love that hat!