Making this hat for Kerry for photography/modelling.

First time making this pattern so the first thing I did was test my gauge. Good job I did as I wasn’t anywhere near what I needed. I tried a 5.5mm hook as that’s what I’d used for some of her other designs but that was too small, I then tried a 6mm like the pattern but I was still out so I then tried a 6.5mm and finally got a match. I did however have to make sure the height of my stitches were as tight as possible so I met the 4” in height too.

Started on the actual hat and followed as per instructions. Realised the seam was looking really obvious so I checked my work again. Found out I’d been putting my first stitch in the loop that the starting chain would become a stitch (hope that makes sense) so once i did the next stitch the look improved greatly. Don’t forget to follow her tip and slip stitch into the top loop from the first stitch (I’ve always done this, all I did was do my first stitch in the wrong chain/loop/stitch whatever you want to call it). Basically if it looks really obvious try again and see if you are making the same mistake as when you get it right it’s not that obvious at all.

So yeah I did do a lot of frogging, first for the solid part of the design because of the seam and then because of the two row repeat design that goes under the solid colour section. I was already making sure my stitches were tight height wise but obviously when it came to the repeat I just of loosened off because after a total of two of that design I was almost at the total height the hat should be. So I frogged and tried again, this time being very tight with the Flutterby row and the solid row that is sc stitches. Thankfully it worked, well the closest I was going to achieve anyway. I am slightly over 5” in total height but not more than 5.5” so it should still be a good fit. The good thing is the edging is slip stitches so it didn’t add to the height by much and for this step I mafe sure I was loose as the pattern states :-).

Hat is now made and I’ll know exactly what to do when I make it again to get the best results. It’s a lovely hat design that I like very much so I can see myself making more :-) I actually have one planned in adult size for my husband with some other yarn I have that I think will look amazing with this pattern.

Top Tip

When using the chenille Chunky yarn make sure to tie a knot in the end, this stops all the fluff coming off. What I do is join the chenille yarn (in your preferred way) and then I tie a knot in the end of the yarn that you’ll be sewing in later or carrying along with you until it’s worked over. Don’t forget when you cut the chenille yarn once your round is done you’ll want to do the same, just join the next yarn first and then tie that knot at the end of the chenille yarn. It really is worth it as it will stop all the fluff coming off :-) I tend to use my scissors and cut off any excess yarn after the knot otherwise you’ll still find some fluff coming off.

Pom Pom Notes

I used my clover pom pom maker to make one for this hat and I used my 45mm size pom pom maker which is from the small set from Clover.

Photos includes a photo collage of this hat along with another, same size different colour. If you’d like the details for this hat here is the link below;

Candyfloss Pink: http://ravel.me/bedcrafter/afh2

I’ve added photos at the bottom (technically the start) showing all the baby hats I made for Kerry which include this hat. I’ve also included photos of the baby hats I made from this pattern along with another called Eskimo Kisses, you’ll see the Eskimo Hat in two photos as one photo just with this hat and the other with both colours of this hat I made. The last photos are the baby hats I made using this pattern, so that includes the link to the hat above. After these photos you’ll then see it starts with my work in progress photos of this hat, finishing with finished photos and photo collages (so the top of the photos, technically the end).