Hats On! (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Schurch, master knitter and author of Mostly Mittens: Traditional Knitting Patterns from Russia's Komi People (LJ 11/15/98), now turns her attention to caps. Knitters often use caps as "proving grounds" for patterns and styles they plan to use later in garments. The knitter who completes these 31 caps will be well versed in a variety of ethnic knitting styles and color pattern techniques. Instructions are clearly written and include excellent graphs as well as a color photo of each hat. As no novelty or unusual yarns are required, this book is a good choice for even small public libraries located in areas where local yarn stores do not abound.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Caps are wonderful knitting projects--small and portable, providing just the right mix of challenge and simplicity. From the basic watch cap to fanciful multicoloured and textured creations, knitters will be enticed by the intriguing diversity of style and technique: double-, triple-, and quadruple-thicknesses for warmth and weather resistance; hats with earflaps, ornamental cuffs, and jester's tassles; and even ornaments to hang from the Christmas tree.

Product Details

• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: Down East Books (June 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892724358
• ISBN-13: 978-0892724352
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #239,699 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great hat book with some flaws, February 10, 2004

By	Quickbeam (Oconomowoc, WI USA) - See all my reviews

I am an accomplished knitter and find this book is one of the most often used in my library. It has basic tam and watchcap patterns as well as some very complex ethnic hats. I'd encourage those using the book to make the colors their own....I've had great success with these patterns in my own color combinations.

The 2 flaws I find in the book are inadequate information about blocking and some gauge issues. Most wool hats need some blocking to look professionally finished, especially tams. You'll get no help from this book. The gauge problems are more troubling. On the Komi cap, for example, it calls for fingering weight yarn at 10 stitches to the inch (didn't specify which needles). Well, I'm a tight knitter and I could only get 8 to the inch on size "0" needles. I ended up having to reconfigure the child's sized hat (stitch count) for an adult head taking into account my altered gauge. That worked and the hat is gorgeous. But do be warned that gauge is everything in hats...if you can't get the right stitch count per inch (and that's not easy with this book) the finished product might not fit anyone's head.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent hat book, November 16, 1999

By	Y. Leventhal (Oak Hill, VA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is absolutely the best hat book I have seen, and I have checked out quite a few of them before purchasing this one. I have made hats using nearly half of the patterns from the book, using worsted-weight as well as sport-weight yarn. Quick, cute, and my kids love them.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great designs, but check before you begin, November 14, 2000

By	Liana Winsauer "Mind-Numbing Beauracratic Ghoul" (Chicago-ish, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I like Mrs. Schurch's designs, and I've been very happy with the hats (5 now-both solid and multi-colored) that I've knitted from it, but I would caution readers to check the charts/instructions before beginning. I have found several instances where following the instructions with blind faith would lead to unhappy results - marked pattern repeats off by one or two stitches, etc. As part of that warning, check how the decreases will affect the pattern - I've found that on some of the patterns I have to move the decreases one stitch to the left of where charted. Finally, don't be overly influenced by the colors used in the photographs - The three-peaked Turkish hat pattern looks really nice in red and white, while the colors in the photo are truly underwhelming.

Despite my grumbles, I really do like this book, and have recommended it to friends. I also need to go back and thank the lady who recommended it to me...