Folk Hats (Folk Knitting series) [Paperback]

Vicki Square (Author)

Book Description

Series: Folk Knitting series | Publication Date: October 1, 2005

With 30 completely original patterns for fun and functional hats, this globe-trotting collection presents clear illustrations and step-by-step instructions for knitters of all skill levels. History and folklore from the hat's country of origin accompany each project. Included are felted cowboy hats, festive hats from Cameroon and Japan, historic derbies from around Europe, a beaded cloche from Afghanistan, warm cossacks from Russia, and darling baby bonnets from Nigeria and China. Each unique topper is an item of style and of substance. The imaginative and versatile designs and range of yarns and techniques put a new spin on the standard hat pattern and reinterpret these folk classics for modern knitters.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The history and story regarding each design is most interesting."  —Knitting News

"Fanciful and playful."  —Bangor Daily News

"This eclectic collection of original knitted designs is sure to elicit rubbernecking and about faces."  —CNA Magazine

"Projects range from super simple to challenging and reflect the rich colors and textures of the world."  —Fiberline Magazine

 

 

"Designer Vicki Square has taken traditional folk patterns and engineered them into inventive knitted creations."  —Creative Knitting

About the Author

Vicki Square is the author of Folk Bags and The Knitter’s Companion. She won the 1990 National Knitting Contest sponsored by Fashion Knitting magazine and has shown her pieces in juried art shows in Colorado, Illinois, and Oregon. She has taught knitting for more than 10 years, as well as painting and drawing, at Colorado State University. She lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931499632
• ISBN-13: 978-1931499637
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #370,415 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Vicki Square is the author of The Knitter's Companion and Knit Great Basics. Her work has been featured in Spin-Off and Fashion Knitting magazines. She won the 1990 National Knitting Contest and has since shown her pieces in juried art shows in Colorado, Oregon, and Illinois. She regularly teaches knitting workshops and exhibits in galleries and juried shows. She lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funky Crazy Hats with FELTING, December 7, 2005

By 

Maimee "knitrageous" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Folk Hats (Folk Knitting series) (Paperback)

The most useful hats in the book and wearable patterns for the general population will probably the the felted hats.

Unless you live in my neighborhood. (A slightly left leaning younger crazier population who will probably put anything on their heads.)

The cowboy hat, fedora and derby are all felted, lovely and very wearable.

The samurai headdress is something my exboyfriend would have begged and cried for until I knit it for him.

The other projects all have their uses. My Ren Faire friends ooohed and ahhhhed over a couple of the projects. (The Frontière and the Renaissance Beret)

And other projects that look crazy (the Chinese Knot Topped Calotte) looks a little too-too in the hot pink and yellow but would be adorable in a different color scheme.

If you're looking for some different hats, it might be worth a try. If you want to try felting a derby it'd absolutely be worth a try.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE IT, December 12, 2005

By 

CrochetQueen "Hook, Yarn and Needles" (Elko, NV United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Folk Hats (Folk Knitting series) (Paperback)

Finally a book that has what most of us really want, some funky funny hats. If you are looking for a nice ordinary hat, then stop right there and DON'T get this book. Howevery if you are wanting something EXCITING, different and very creative then grab this book. My 9 year old is a hat wearer and THANK YOU, I was running out of ideas.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, interesting, and different, September 22, 2006

By 

Karen Tiede (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Folk Hats (Folk Knitting series) (Paperback)

I bought this particular book because I wanted guidance in making brimmed hats. I don't expect to be felting much but the patterns will be a place to start. What I liked about Vicki Square's book, as opposed to some other hat books, is that each of the hats is significantly different from the others that I think I'm getting my money's worth. Many of the hats are shapes I wouldn't have thought of myself.

True, I won't knit any of them in the exact colorways or details shown, and I may omit a few of the "finishing" touches. But in the world of "people will put anything on their head (E. Zimmerman)," these are pretty cool. I have a feeling I'm going to have to make a frontier in lace for myself... but then, I run to the exotic.

Point, however: I bought the book for the suggestions and direction and I haven't knitted a pattern as written, and probably never will. Can't offer any guidance about how easily one can follow these patterns.