Sometimes I feel like I could be the character in the book Hats for Sale. Not because I sell my hats but because sometimes I look through all the hat patterns I want to make and realize that if I truly make all of those patterns I will have enough hats to stack on my head to reach to the sky! I would have more hats than one hand can wear. It might seem like a very strange problem, but now I like to think of it as an opportunity! Whenever I feel the urge to make more hats, but I don’t need a new one for my own head, I know that it’s a great time to make some hats for charity!
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The Inspiration
Nothing is more inspiring to me than creating a great pattern that can be worked and given away to a charity! Whenever I design a hat with the intention that it can be donated, I always focus on a few things. I like to work these types of patterns in a yarn that most people have access to. It’s also important to me that the weight of yarn I choose comes in a variety of price points and with opportunities for easily washable yarn. While I do think it’s nice when a hat intended for donating works up quickly, I do not think that is more important than an awesome texture or a well fitting, nice looking hat. It’s also important to me to design a hat that is unisex. After working with several charities over the years, I know that there is always a need for good looking men’s hats. As women we are naturally drawn to making more for other women. But, men need to keep their noggins warm too and covering it in a handmade has is so special!
When I started looking for stitch pattern inspiration for this year’s Crochet Cancer Challenge Hat I immediately knew this one was a winner! Fun to work but easy to learn, this stitch has amazing texture – always a winner for me! It also has many possibilities for color combinations AND, yes, it’s unisex! I was instantly excited!
Customize Your Hat
One of the great things about making hats is that you can make them in almost any size. While this pattern doesn’t include written out instructions for every size, it does include tips and tricks to customize your hat to the perfect fit. I’m confident that after working the pattern once or twice, you’ll be ready to make lots of hats in lots of sizes perfect for donating!
The Yarn
First, I’d like to give you some tips on choosing yarn when you’re planning on donating your hats. The very first thing you need to think about is who you are donating your hat to. Depending on if you are gifting the hat to a specific person or to a charity, may change your yarn selection. If you have a specific person in mind to give the hat to, you want to keep their personal preferences of color, style, and fiber content in mind. If you are donating to a charity, be sure to check out their website or even give them a call. They may have specific requirements for the donations they accept. If there aren’t any guidelines given, keep in mind that softness is important for babies and those going through chemotherapy, While a durable and washable yarn may be more appropriate for donations to a homeless shelter.
For my Waylen hat, I chose Galway by Plymouth Yarn. It is a very sturdy, slightly more rustic, beautiful yarn that comes in lots of great colors. This moderately priced yarn is not only practical from a financial standpoint, but will also stand up well to wear and keep me super duper cozy this winter! I used a beautiful deep maroon and golden yellow for my hat and picked up a nice neutral gray to add to the Waylen cowl (coming soon). Galway is made of 100% pure wool and has approx. 210 yards in each 100 gram skein. For my other variations I used a one of a kind hand dyed yarn from Montana Crochet and a beautiful navy tweed called Homestead Tweed, also by Plymouth Yarn.
Other Supplies
While accessories and tools can be fun to use, one of the great things about hats is that you don’t usually need a lot of tools. The only other things you really need are a US H 5.0 mm and US I 5.5 mm hooks, a tapestry needle (these are my favorites) and scissors (aren’t these beautiful?). I always recommend you check your hook carefully and look for the millimeters rather than a letter label. While US H & I hooks are pretty standard, there can be some discrepancies between companies as to how they label their hook sizes.
I fell in love with and always recommend Furls crochet hooks. Their Alpha Series is my absolute favorite hook line. It’s stunning and fits so well in my smaller hands. It is one of their pricier hooks, but well worth the splurge. If you’re looking to dip your toes into Furls hooks, I love their wooden Streamline hooks too. Because of their more affordable price, I have a lot of these hooks and use them regularly. They fit nicely in my hands too, are so comfortable to work with, and glide nicely through yarn! I have a couple Odyssey hooks too and, while they are a heavier hook many find they glide nicely through the yarn!
During the summer I was taking my yarn on the go a lot more than I do now that the boys are back in school. I’m a bit nervous about taking my wooden hooks to the park so I ordered a set of metal hooks at the beginning of the summer to take on the go. I’ve really been enjoying my Tulip hook set. They’re super smooth, with a really comfortable grip. I usually work with wooden hooks, but find that metal hooks glide really nicely through cotton and other plant fiber yarns. I bought a whole set of Tulip hooks and am a bit surprised that I’ve used almost all of them. Initially I worried the more narrow handle might cause hand pain, but they glide so easily through the yarn, they’ve been very comfortable to use!
The Pattern
A special deal for you!
I’m so thrilled to introduce the Waylen Hat pattern as part of the Crochet Cancer Challenge event hosted by Christine of Sweet Potato 3! As part of this special event, my pattern is available for FREE starting at 7am MT Wednesday, October 13th through 8am MT Thursday, October 14th! Go snag it now, before it’s too late! Please remember that purchasing the hat for free is a commitment to make at least one hat with the pattern and donate it to a charity
The Waylen Hat is a tier 3 pattern. Tier 3 patterns are designed to let your skills shine through patterns with a mix of intermediate stitches, techniques and shaping! These patterns include a variety of sized projects that combine intermediate stitches and design elements to the new stitches or skills learned in a Tier 1 and 2 patterns. These patterns will help you show off your skills.
Coming soon – Check out the Tier 1 and 2 patterns for the stitches used in the Waylen Hat below.
Read more about my tiered pattern system here!
A HUGE ***thank you*** to my amazing testers! They all did such beautiful work! Each and every Thea Bag is unique and gorgeous! This pattern was tested and tech edited to be as clear as possible. Pattern testers are an important part of the publishing process. I appreciate the time and attention they give! Thank you to my wonderful tech editor Michelle Muskett of Tales of Knots whose attention to detail makes every pattern better!
How it works
First, start here at the Sweet Potato 3 blog and learn more about the Crochet Cancer Challenge, look at all the wonderful patterns that have been available and get your coupon code.
Then, come back here and click the link below to go to the Waylen Hat on Ravelry.
Next, enter the coupon code at check out and get your hat for free!
Last, make a Waylen hat and donate it to the charity of your choice!
All the hopping is good for designers, the free pattern is awesome for you and the donated hat is great for someone in need! Win, win, win!
