Jan 22, 2023 HAT #1
In an unexpected turn of events, Derrick’s Cambridge Watchcap is now a felted bowl. He wore that toque non-stop from the minute I gave it to him in mid-November until lastnight, Jan 21, 2023. He came up to the kitchen to tell me that his hat had grown and stretched out from the heat of his head and asked if I could “fix” it. Well… I thought the best way to go was to felt it ‘a little bit’ and I accidently felted it ‘a lotta bit’. Oops!!
HEY! Another lesson learned. Malabrigo worsted single ply - will grow and because there is no twist, there is no memory.
ALSO… it felts like the dickens.

So, here is a new hat in some of my hand dyed wool. He picked this colour even though I warned him it is Highland Wool and definitely not silky smooth like Malabrigo worsted, but he said he’ll give it a go and hopefully it’s not too scratchy on his head.

Jan 26, 2023 HAT #2
I literally stood by the door waiting for my son to get home from work to try on his new hat! LOL I am such WEIRDO!

The Verdict: it fits him PERFECTLY! Yesssss! I AM THRILLED with this toque. Highly successful mission. And just in time for the cold snap we’re about to get this weekend.

Modifications to my standard On The C-Train Hat: I used US 6/4.0mm circulars for the entire hat and cast on 96 sts. I worked in ribbing for 10” and then started the decreases as follows: Work in 1x1 rib pattern for 21 sts, P3tog repeat then continued on the decreases as written in the pattern. I always leave out the plain 1x1 rib rounds after working the round that is: Work in 1x1 rib pattern for 7 sts, P3tog round. FINAL MEASUREMENT is 11.75” long from top of crown to cast on edge. Derrick’s head is 22.25” circumference.

Noooo…. IT GREW !!!

Jan 31, 2023 HAT #3
(CO 72sts and knit to 8.5” before decreases) this is WAAAY too small in circumference and length. What was i thinking?!! 72 sts would NEVER fit - duh. No amount of blocking and/or wishing could make it fit. So here we go again. 4th time is the charm lol. It BETTER be.

February 13, 2023 HAT #4
The quest to make the perfect knitted toque for my son (that won’t stretch out) continues!

This is the MAGIC RECIPE:

US 6/4.0mm 16” circulars for the entire hat. CO 88 itr and work until the hat is 9.5” from cast on edge and then work the decreases as follows: Work 19 sts in rib pattern, then P3tog repeat this around. Work K1, P1 around Work 17 sts in rib pattern, the p3tog repeat around. Work K1, P1 around … continue as such until 16sts remain and cinch up and tie off.

Februrary 20, 2023
Huzzah! SUCCESS! I knit this 4th Hat according to the notes above and by golly I think we’ve got a winner.
Just in time for another snap of cold weather. We’ll see how this one holds up. But I think we’ve found the magic formula for Derrick’s toque at last.