Derby Day Ladies Hat by Marcia McCormack

Derby Day Ladies Hat

Knitting
February 2022
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
4 stitches and 6 rows = 1 inch
in Ziggy Zaggy Lace
US 9 - 5.5 mm
US 7 - 4.5 mm
3.5 mm (E)
220 - 240 yards (201 - 219 m)
Medium Ladies (Fits heads 20 to 22" circumference)
English
This pattern is available for $3.75 USD buy it now

As a lover and share owner of several thoroughbred racing horses, I look forward to the Kentucky Derby every year, even if my horses don’t compete. Living in southern California means I generally watch the Big Race from home on TV, but we invite friends over to enjoy the race and I finally decided I NEED a nice hat to wear on the day the horses Run for the Roses.

So I designed this hat made out of sturdy worsted/Aran weight kitchen cotton yarn, the type used to make dishcloths and towels. The gauge is 4 stitches to an inch.

However, if you change the color, ribbon and type of flower, this could be your very own Spring Day Hat or Summer Day Hat or …. ?

The hat is an easy knit for the Advanced Beginner who can knit in-the-round. The body of the hat is a type of lace I call “Ziggy Zaggy Lace” and the rest of the hat is knit with twisted knit stitches, achieved by knitting in the back loop of the stitch instead of the front loop.

After completing the body of the hat, you’ll pick up stitches to work the brim, also in-the-round. If you like, you can keep this as a floppy brim hat, but I include instructions for attaching hat brim wire around the edge to provide a pliable brim you can bend to fit your style.

To see how I do it, check out my YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vzm7QcuqlQ

There are many ways to knit a flower. The pattern includes instructions on how to knit a very easy rose.

If you’re not interested in making a hat for the Derby, use your imagination to come up with colors, ribbon and other types of flowers, beads, buttons, feathers, whatever you like, to make this a special hat to enjoy in the Spring, Summer or whenever.

As with all my designs, I’m always available to help my buyers. Just Email me at the address provided on the pattern.