Customer Reviews

Hats On! 31 Warm and Winsome Caps for Knitters

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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...

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.

If you are looking for a learn-to-knit-hats book, this isn't going to be the one. However, for the advanced knitter, this book is a gem. Its patterns are clearly laid out - most are given in 3 or 4 sizes - and come from a variety of regions. They include adaptations of Norwegian, Turkish, Swedish, Russian, and Aran patterns (and many others). The projects are beautifully photographed at the beginning of the book. Just looking at them was an inspiration to pick up my knitting needles.

I like how the author doesn't specify the brand of wool she used, and instead gives only weights and measurements (ie worsted weight and 210 yards per 3.5 g). This allows for you the knitter to substitute your own wools without the fear that your project won't turn out exactly the way Charlene's has. Her directions are straight-forward and include various ways to cast on. She writes in a chatty style but free of bells and whistles. However, if you do not know how to read lace, Aran, or colour charts then you are at a supreme disadvantage. Most of her directions are sparse, and you must rely on the chart for the pattern details. Again, if you are a real beginner, this may not be a book that you want right away.

One of my favourite things about this book is that it includes all sorts of different styles. So there are tocques, earflap hats, tams, and watch caps - something for everyone and never a moment's boredom as a knitter.

As Charlene Schurch mentions in her introduction, hat projects are extrememly portable and they make great gifts. With so many hat patterns to choose from, it's easy to find a hat for anybody in your family or gift list. I've already made 3 hats from this book - all three recieve copious compliments often accompanied by requests for either the pattern [from knitters] or a hat [from non-knitters].

Probably the best feature of this book is that most of the patterns include directions for many sizes, from toddler to x-large adult.

There's also a full range of difficulty from multiple color and intricate colorwork to 2 color stockinette or simple cables. Although all of the patterns involve either colorwork or cables, the projects are small and the charts are easy to read, making this a good book for the knitter ready to move beyond scarves and other simple knits.

I found my knitting gauge to be up to 2 needle sizes off from the directions so I would strongly suggest not skipping your swatch!

I'm a relatively new knitter, and this book was my first venture into hats and circular knitting in general. I've made 3 of the caps (and one more in progress now), and used it as a way to challenge myself and learn more. Here's what I learned from this book:
(1) I took the Aran Watch Cap and figured out the math needed to knit a hat in my head size using chunky wool and size 10 dpns instead of the worsted the pattern's written for. This involved writing a new cable chart, etc. Very educational; (2) I did the Gansey Watch Cap exactly as provided, my first use of a circular needle. It came out stunning. My gauge seems to be the same as the authors, I guess; (3) I did the Lusekofte cap, my first Fair Isle work. Here I had to figure out weaving myself (the book provides no instruction in basic techniques), but it was again, educational.

Best points: Neat hats, good charts, lots of variety in difficulty

Worst points: Some charts could be more thoroughly explained, but I don't mind a little trial and error.

The best hat book that I've owned. All the patterns are delightful with easy to read directions and excellent illustrations. Wonderful gift ideas. This book is a must for all knitters and spinners.

From a simple watchcap, to a jester hat, to a hat with flaps, you'll find them in this wonderful book.

The BEST feature of this book is that the patterns are sized, and you don't often find this in hat patterns. So you can make headwear for the entire family.

This should be a reference book for any knitter, especially if you are going to knit for charity (as in Caps for Kids or CIC--Children in Common.) Warm hats are needed by anyone in a cold climate. This book is just great!

If you want people to WEAR the hats you knit for them, this is the book. The styles and patterns are varied (as well as the sizes), but they are all REALISTIC headgear! Wonderful book, highly recommended.

I found this book especially good because I am a beginning knitter and want to try new techniques but also don't want to commit the time and the expense of knitting a whole sweater while I'm just starting out. I was particularly excited to discover how easy it is to do two-color and Aran knitting on circular needles. The color and stitch patterns intructions can be followed very easily because they are in chart format. My first two-color hat unfortunately turned out too tight due to pulling the strands too tight across the back--but at least I made the mistake with a quick hat instead of a sweater. Also, there are some one-color hats that do not require tracking charts for those instances when you need a portable knitting project that doesn't require minute attention. I completed most of the simple tam while standing in a line at Universal Studios in Orlando, what a sanity saver! The author also devotes space to various cast-on techniques, like the yarn-over tubular and two color cast-on; very cool and makes the hats look like they were done by an expert knitter which of course you are on the way to becoming after knitting through this book!