see the cable flowing into the earflap - that ain't easy!
Ever since I moved to Switzerland, I've wanted this hat. I see people wearing similiar hats all the time, but I could never find the exact right one to buy. So of course, I decided to make it. I wanted this cable pattern with this shape with earflaps. This is such a basic design, but I couldn't find any usable pattern. So I made up a pattern, using my head size and gauge to graph out where to put the cables and earflaps. The hardest part was figuring out the decreases so 1) the hat shape looked right (still not completely happy with it - I wanted more pointy) and 2) the cables still looked right over the decreases. I undid several rows of the decrease at least six times to get it right and I was pretty satisfied with the result. The cables don't abruptly end but flow nicely in the top of the hat.
My favorite part is the earflap (see above). I wanted the cable to continue down the earflap, instead of having ribbing at the bottom of the hat and doing the earflap in stockinette like every other pattern I've seen. So this meant I had to reverse the cable (since you knit on the earflap after knitting the hat, knitting "upside down") and figure out where I was in the cable pattern so it twisted properly. This took four tries to get right. I was very proud of myself. It's kinda pathetic what makes me feel accomplished these days. Small victories.
yes, I look ridiculous posing here,
but I had to show off the tassels
I might still add some decorative edging and a tassel on top. But it's cold here, so I had to stop knitting and wear this thing.
