Kids need to keep warm and love dressing as their favourite pets, but some of the animal-themed hats available are just “too cute.” Puppyboy is a bit more mellow – mainly monochromatic with details worked in texture.

When my son outgrew his first hat, which was made of baby-soft ella rae, i offered to knit him a new one. “but it has to be a puppy!” he said. it’s so nice to have my knitting appreciated! he’ll grow out of that soon enough.

The heathered colours of briggs & little wool are soft and earthy, but the yarn is sturdy stuff perfect for boys who like to play, and makes it an inexpensive one-skein project as well as quick to knit.