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I have always wanted to make Christmas gifts for my family but I had avoided it because I wasn't sure what they would think about it. I know that Carter loves hand knit things but I was nervous about how my family would react to handmade gifts. In late November, my sister asked me if I would knit her a hat. She showed me a color she wanted and I went in search of a hat pattern. I found the Bray Cap hat pattern by Brooklyn Tweed and ran it by my sister before casting on. 

About the pattern, it was only the second knitting pattern that I have actually purchased. Everything I have made besides this pattern and one other have been free. It was $7.00 which I guess it a little high price-wise but in the same ballpark range of a sewing pattern. I didn't mind buying the pattern because it was supporting people like me who like to knit but have gone a step further and made a career out of knitting. I also didn't mind dishing out some money for it because it was so pretty and having a pattern from a group like Brooklyn Tweed meant I would be using something easy to follow and well designed. I had zero stress when knitting this because their pattern was so straightforward. I even learned a few new techniques with the case on! 

I plan on making this hat again but for myself so I would highly recommend this pattern to anyone looking for a hat to make!

Pattern: Bray Cap by Brooklyn Tweed ($7.00 USD)

Yarn: Cascade 220 in Doeskin Heather

Needles: US 4, 5, and 8 DPNs

Modifications:

I knit the ribbed brim for 2.25" instead of 2.75". After finishing the hat, I decided that it was too slouchy. I asked my sister since she would be the one who was wearing it and she agreed so I ripped out about half the hat and omitted the third repetition of rows 6-13 in the pattern. This made the hat the perfect length.

My Hat

So...I started knitting this hat in May and then I finished it in October and now I am sharing it with you now in December. It wasn't that I didn't like this hat, it just seemed to be never ending. Maybe that's because I knit a row here or there and didn't really force myself to get it finished in a timely manner. Knitting in the summer for a winter object in a too small for you size really gives a girl zero motivation to get anything done.

About the pattern, this was Purl Soho's free Traveling Cables hat and it was lovely. The pattern was really straight-forward and easy to follow. I liked how the pattern had the cable pattern written out too instead of having to follow a chart. Plus they included some good pictures on how to do the cables which would be helpful if this was your first cable project.

I used Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Azul Buscando. I love this yarn. It's so soft and easy to knit with. Easily one of my favorite yarns.

It's been unseasonably warm here in Indiana but if you're looking for a cabled hat to try, you could give this a go. Plus if it's been warmer than usual where you're at, maybe this will be done by next winter if you finish projects as slowly as I do! :)

I really like Anthropologie. They offer timeless clothing and jewelry. I like that they have things that you can buy and they won't be out of style before the package arrives at your door. I don't like their price range. But I LOVE how easy more of their accessories are to recreate.

Take these barrettes for instance:

They cost $28 

Now look at these:

They cost less than $2 a barrette and you can make a ton.

I made these about a year ago and have a tutorial posted on Kollabora.

P.S. most craft stores have tons of different colors and styles of elastic sequins but who says you can't use ribbon or fabric or anything else you can think of?

Happy Crafting!