I joined the masses and dived in head first (no pun intended) into the Koolhaas knitting frenzy. Within two days, I was able to finish a man’s hat.
Pattern: Koolhaas by Jared Flood
Yarn: Swish in Jade from Knit Picks
Needles: Size 6US/4.0mm and size 8US/5.0mm
Started: February 3, 2008
Finished: February 4, 2008
Size: Men’s
Despite the needle gymnastics I went through, this was really fun to knit. It was easy to get into a comfortable rhythm with the pattern. I was able to clip along at a steady and even pace.
The yarn was soft and willing to yield to the twists and turns I demanded of it. (What with not using a cable needle and all.) Hopefully, the recipient of this hat will find it warm and cozy as well.
I am a little worried that the hat will be too big. Since I don’t have much experience with the size of most men’s heads, I plan on taking it along with me to Aloha Knitters on Thursday to get a consensus. It’s just a little over 9 inches in height if that tells you anything.
Despite my concerns over the size of this hat, I’m already thinking of knitting another one in preparation for next Christmas. That would let me chalk up two scores to my name for A Loose Knit Group, whose project for this month is hats.
Ahh. The heady smell of accomplishment is sweet and these small projects sure do give me a high! :)
February 5th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Chad’s came out a bit big too, I’ll try to find it and let you know. Looks good though! I thought it was an easier pattern than it looked.
February 5th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Very cute!
February 5th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Um, yeah, Opal. Don’t forget the earmuffs when you go to the beach. Nice hat!
February 5th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
I like the way the hat turned out. I’ve had my eye on that pattern as well.
February 5th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Wow! I think the size should be right — mine is pretty small — enough so that I was considering making a bigger size (my head is larger than my husband’s). It looks great!
February 5th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Kewl…Koolhaus!!
February 5th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
9 inches would not be a bad idea, because I feel the hat tends to ride up a bit while wearing. At least mine does. A longer hat might fit more snugly and better.
February 5th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
That looks great! This is on my list to knit as well. How much Swish did it take? I’ve got some possibilities in my stash. Hope it’s not too big.
February 5th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
i started a koolhaas before leaving for boston, but the color (black) and yarn ( a fuzzy alpaca blend) made it difficult to see the kool pattern – that, and there was this ol’ mistake staring me in the face that i couldn’t overlook – it’s waiting in the frogpond….i don’t think i’ll be making it this week to the meet-up, but i do hope to make it at least the following week….i miss you all :(
February 5th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
What a great color! I’ve only seen that hat in very muted colors–the jade is wonderful. Oh…by the way, I’ve heard Swish shrinks a little bit when machine washed. So if the hat is too big, maybe you could encourage the shrinkage.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:02 am
The hat looks wonderful – and isn’t it awesome to be able to knock something out in a day or two? Sometimes it’s esssential for one’s peace as a knitter (oand one’s sanity) to realize that not everything has to take a week (a year, a decade) to finish :)
What did you think of the Swish? I have been a little nervous about the super-wash yarns – afraid they’d stretch like cotton. And this is *really* ridiculous because I have absolutely nothing to base it on – but I worry that superwash won’t make as warm a garment? Where on earth would I have gotten that idea?
February 6th, 2008 at 3:06 am
That’s a really nice hat. Nice stitch and nice color!
February 6th, 2008 at 3:07 am
I want to call it pretty, but since it’s for a guy, I’ll say it’s a handsome hat, indeed! Love the color, too. : )
February 6th, 2008 at 3:28 am
I knit the small for my head, and thought it was a tad on the large size, too!
Your’s is lovely – I’m in awe that it only took you two days!!
(((hugs)))
February 6th, 2008 at 3:59 am
Nice hat! I have had my eye on this one. Thanks for the cable gymnastic info. I used to use that method all the time, but had forgotten about it.
February 6th, 2008 at 4:24 am
I have yet to see one of these hats that I didn’t like. The hat looks great. As for size, I am guessing, but it looks like it would even fit my big head.
February 6th, 2008 at 6:18 am
I so like it! You did a great job – and I think the size is fine!
Keep Knitting!
February 6th, 2008 at 6:47 am
I knit on at Koolhaas for Christmas last year, but I think I might need to knit another one for Christmas this year. It’s a really great pattern. Good work on the hat!
February 6th, 2008 at 8:08 am
I guess I’m going to jump right off the cliff with you!
February 6th, 2008 at 10:03 am
I think a longer length is a good thing in a hat. The one I made for Parker is too short and that isn’t good at all.
What did you think of the Swish?
February 6th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Your hat turned out beautifully! I think it will be long enough to cover the recipient’s ears, which is important to me when I make a hat. I have knitted hats for the Ship’s Project (a few years ago) and they had to be at least 8″ deep.
February 6th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Niiice!
February 6th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Beautiful pattern and color….looks like a very comfortable hat!! Nice work :)
February 6th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
The hat is very impressive and so quick for you to knit! Looks great. I can understand why you would want to make another one!
February 6th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Hi There!
I am a new reader to your blog, and I wanted to tell you that I think you wirte a fabulous blog. I have found so much to read in your archives and I have learned a great deal. Keep up the excellent work!
February 6th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Very nice hat. It looks very complicated.
February 7th, 2008 at 8:52 am
It looks good! There are some patterns that demand lemmingness.
February 7th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
That’s very cute! hmm…wool hat in Hawaii?
February 10th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Looks great!!!!!! I gotta get something in gear around here.
February 11th, 2008 at 1:46 am
I made this hat as a Christmas present for my son. I enjoyed knitting it. I love the stitch definition.