knitter's spotlight · knitting · make this · ravelry · yarn

Knitter’s Spotlight: Cool Winter Hat Patterns

In my opinion, there’s nothing like a new knitted winter hat to get you excited to be out in the cold.  It might sound silly, but I speak from experience.  I used to live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and some days, the opportunity to show off my “chook” (that’s what Yoopers call a knit hat – don’t ask me why) was all that got me out of bed.

When I wasn’t braving the cold, I spent a lot of time on Ravelry looking for fun hat patterns.  The quicker the better, but I wouldn’t settle for any old stockinette cap with a pompom.  I looked for bright colors, buttons or appliques and interesting stitches – anything that would stand out.

Even now that I’m back in New England, my search for cool winter hat patterns continues.  And from what I’ve seen, many Berroco fans are fond of fun hats, too.  Here are a few of the recent patterns I’ve spotted on Ravelry and added to my queue.

Honeycomb Hive by OneyarnKnit in Berroco Ultra Alapaca
Honeycomb Hive by oneyarn
knit in Berroco Ultra Alpaca

The Honeycomb Hive – project by oneyarn (pattern by Cassie Castillo)

I like everything about this hat, but what I like most is the color scheme that raveler oneyarn chose.  By pairing the Orchid (6267) and Tiger’s Eye Mix (6292) shades of Berroco Ultra Alpaca, she really made the honeycomb stitch pop.

Encircle by Nanaelliottknit in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light
Encircle by nanaelliott
knit in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light

Encircle – project by nanaelliott (pattern by Woolly Wormhead)

The elegant circular cables caught my eye when I first came across raveler nanaelliott’s Encircle project.  She used Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light in Turquoise Mix (4294) – a subtly cool color for this chic design.  Plus, I love the tree trunk style button for added character.

Moose Hat by yarn-yakkerknit in Vintage DK
Moose Hat by yarn-yakker
knit in Vintage DK

Moose Hat – project by yarn-yakker (pattern by Trulte)

I once saw a moose when I lived in the U.P. but never any moose hats.  I think the fact that this design is so unexpected, is part of what makes it cool.  Raveler yarn-yakker made hers in our Vintage DK because it’s so “soft and smooth to work with.”

Spider-Man Hat by Benthyrdeedersknit in Vintage
Spider-Man Hat by benthyrdeeders
knit in Vintage

Spider-Man Hat – project by benthyrdeeders (pattern by Knitty Flitty)

When it comes to cool knitted hats for kids, anything with a favorite superhero or cartoon character is a definite plus.  Right now, it seems like Spider-Man is one of the coolest.  When raveler benthyrdeeders could find the right pattern, she made some simple modifications to a basic slouchy hat.  She used our Vintage yarn in Berries (5150) for the main color and Cast Iron (5145) for the web.

Have you recently finished a project with Berroco yarn that you want to share?  You can email Ashley: apalumbo@berroco.com or post it to the Berroco Lovers forum in Ravelry.

4 thoughts on “Knitter’s Spotlight: Cool Winter Hat Patterns

  1. Love the hat patterns! I thought maybe I could solve the “chook” mystery…. My husband is Canadian from Alberta. He always calls a knit hat a “Toque” (sounds like chook with a “t” instead of “ch”). I asked him this morning where that name comes from. He said that it is probably French. Upper Michigan is pretty close to Canada…. must be some French influence, eh?

  2. I love the moose hat! I’m originally from Ontonagon (by the Porkies on the west end of the UP) and this would be perfect for my brother. Thanks for finding it!

    1. Glad you like it! I lived in Houghton, but I made a lot of trips to Ontonagon and the Porkies!

Leave a Reply