The Story:
I’ve knitted lots of different types of things over the years, some of them hats. And so far, not one beanie has gone the way it should. Here in Australia it never gets cold enough to really get a lot of wear out of a beanie, but I really wanted a nice one to wear when the weather got colder. All the other beanies I’ve made always seem to be either too loose, too tight, too short, too long or just plain ugly. No matter how many different patterns I tried, there was none that fitted my head perfectly! So, my answer? Design my own, of course! I set out to find the yarn first, and stumbled across Moda Vera’s new Giaggiolo. It was so soft and the colours were absolutely gorgeous that I ignored the 100% acrylic warning and got one luscious 100g ball. Armed with my sparkly 6mm needles and my sketch pad I designed Auraleigh. Over the next few nights in front of Big Bang Theory, Bones, House and NCIS: LA, I sketched and designed and eventually knit up my perfect beanie. The name I got from a list of baby names, and it just seemed to fit the hat nicely. I haven’t had a chance to wear it all day yet the weather is still not cold enough, but soon I can take her to the streets! It took me a couple of days to knit it up, but it can easily be fitted in to a lazy weekend (Please, please! Pace your self, I don’t want to be the cause of anyone’s RSI!). The basket weave effect across the rim holds the hat in place and there’s no need to weave in the dreaded hat elastic. Make it exactly like mine, or change it suit you. If you need any help or anything, drop me a line and leave a comment and I’ll do my best to help. Oh, and please send me your pictures, I’d love to see how she turns out with a different creator! (Fine print: Please be kind and don’t take credit for my design, and rather than passing my pattern around please give people the link. Also ask permission before selling any pieces based on my pattern. Thanks for your co-operation!)