This was another test knit for the extremely talented Katy Blanchard. The pattern includes a cowl as well (2 lengths/4 sizes). The instructions cover many hat sizes done in your choice of aran or sport weight yarn. This is a FABULOUS pattern and thoroughly test knitted in all sizes. The thistle flower stitch pattern is different and fun to do. And of course, I LOVE anything with bobbles!

Helpful Tips:

• When knitting the Bobbles (“Nupps”), be sure to make your stitches as loose as possible and use very pointy needles. The nupps get easier with practice and the design is totally worth their extra effort. Katy has made a video showing how she does her nupps and there are many different methods shown on youtube. Take your pick! A little help from a crochet hook makes the job easier for some people.

• Another tip for doing the nupps the way Katy does them in her video…. Once you have the right needle through all 7 loops on the left needle, keep the point of the right needle VERY tight against the left needle and then slide the right needle FORWARD and UNDER as you pull the working yarn through all loops. I find that this helped me a lot and eliminated the need for a crochet hook to aid in pulling the working yarn through all 7 loops of the nupp.

• I found that the areas around my nupps were too loose. So I made the follow minor alteration to the stitch pattern:

Rnd 1: k3, k1 long, p1, k8, p1, k4

Rnd 7: k4, p1, k7, k1 long, p1, k4

All other rounds are done the same as stated in the pattern. My way ends up looking pretty much the same but is definitely tighter around the nupps and makes them pop out as they should. I think it looks considerably better than when I followed the pattern directions. If you want to try it my way, you MUST make sure to do your nupps VERY loose as the Katy states in her pattern. Otherwise, you won’t have enough yarn after omitting that 2nd “k1 long”. Also, I think it helped that I practiced doing it Katy’s way (as stated in pattern) first. It is slightly more awkward doing it my way even though the results look better to me when all is done.

• In her video, Katy demonstrates how to do the “K1 Long” stitch AFTER the “Flower part” (1/3 RC, nupp, 1/3 LC). The “K1 Long” stitch is demonstrated about 2:40 minutes into the video and results in an extra (temporary) stitch/wrap on the right needle which will be dropped in the next round.

• When casting on the largest adult size (in sport weight yarn), be sure to cast on snuggly. I first tried my usual loose cast-on which does not work with 108 stitches and sport weight yarn. I have a big head (23.5 inches), but a snug cast-on worked perfectly - even for someone with my head size.

• I substituted 2 extra rounds of ribbing for the 2 rounds of stockinette at the beginning of the brim. If you want a little curled edging to your hat, do the stockinette as recommended in the pattern.

• The pattern stitch is a repeat of 18 stitches. I highly recommend placing a stitch marker after each 18 sts all around your circular needle or whatever you’re using.

The yarn I chose is from Britain (made in Turkey). What they call, “DK” is not nearly as heavy as the USA equivalent. I’d say this yarn is closer to a “fingering” weight than to our DK weight. Actually, it’s exactly what we refer to in the USA as “sport” weight. Gauge on the label says “21 sts x 30 rows=4 inches using size 6 USA needles” which is VERY slightly different than the gauge on the pattern. However, I was able to get pattern gauge very easily with this yarn. There are 151 yards per ball which will attest to its thin profile. One ball of yarn was enough for this largest adult size with a little left over. (See bottom photo at left showing amount left over at top of hat.)

I absolutely LOVE the way this yarn knits up - just like the very expensive tonal yarns. It contains 20% wool, but is machine washable and dryable. This is a FANTASTIC choice for both children and adults due to its easy care and very affordable price. Stitch definition is great (not too fuzzy). It comes in some very nice colors too. I’ve purchased 4 of the colors so far. I can see myself using this yarn for lots of projects - especially if they expand their color selection. You can see the 16 current colors here:

http://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/yarn/stylecraft-batik-dk-a...

Deramores.com also carries this very popular new yarn. Photo at very bottom left shows how much yarn I had left over (from the one ball) after knitting this hat. Hat has a tiny nubb at the top - not this big ball!

Now to knit the matching cowl in the largest size. This is such a cute set! Thanks, Katy for another brilliant design and also thanks to beautiful Kat for modeling!

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