November 18, 2012
Ron’s Knit Yankee Hat is another checkmark off my gift list. One of the best things about being a crafter is that you can create unique gifts to give to the people you love. My father in law (my husband’s step-dad), was a die hard Yankee’s fan. That and the fact that we were both from New York originally were the few things we had in common. LOL Just kidding….sort of. Ha ha. For someone who has been a fan for as long as he had been, it’s hard to find anything new that they don’t already have. Enter in the ability to make something that you can’t buy anywhere else and that equals a perfect gift.
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Things don’t always go as planned…
Unfortunately, this didn’t turn out exactly like I had hoped. Here are the notes that I had taken after I stitched it:
The navy blue yarn I used was bulkier than I expected, and even though I have a smaller guage than most patterns call for, this hat still looks a little big to me. Hopefully it fits the person I’m giving it to. I’m a little nervous about it. I need to make a note on this yarn in my stash, as I think this is the second time it’s happened to me, I just forgot from the first time I used it. 🙁
And as I had feared, this hat was super big on him, but he wore it proudly anyway and didn’t make me feel bad about it. 🙂
Ron’s Knit Yankee Hat Pattern Info:
The pattern I used for this project was the
Basic Cap by Bernat Design Studio .
I added the Yankee symbol with duplicate stitch. I created the graph for it myself. There are great websites that you can find that help you create graphs even using .jpeg images. The site I used to design this is no longer operational, but there are many others. Just google Free Knit Graph (or Chart) Maker and you will find plenty of options. Make sure you adjust the chart to reflect a knitting project as regular graph paper isn’t a true reflection of the elongated knit stitch. It needs to be knitting graph paper in order for it to look right in your final stitching project.
Chart Minder is one of my favorite sites to use for this, but I have also used others. You can always create a chart the old fashion way and just draw it yourself with pencil and a paper chart. I have done this plenty of times as well. I love the graph notebook at Knit Picks for this exact purpose. The notebook is designed for knitting projects so it will come out proportionately the way it’s supposed to. I can’t find a link to it anymore right now but there are a few cute ones on Amazon that would work too. See links below as well as one for the chart keeper that I got at Knit Picks that I LOVE for chart projects!
Yarn Info:
I used Loops and Threads Impeccable Solids in Navy Blue for the main part of the hat and Red Heart Super Saver solids yarn to duplicate stitch the Yankee Symbol. Caron simply soft yarn would be a good substitution as well as Vanna’s Choice and Red Heart Soft. Places to yarn shop for these brands would be Amazon , Lion Brand and Create For Less websites.
Knitting Needles and Tools
Of course you will need a good set of knitting needles if you are going to stitch this hat up for yourself. My favorite brand to use, and the only kind I have ever really purchased, are the Knit Picks brand. I am a self taught knitter and I really didn’t have anyone to ask about what to purchase. When I first started I researched knitting needles the best I could and finally opted to go with this brand. I have not regretted it once. They are very high quality and the customer service has always been excellent whenever I’ve needed to contact them.
You can also find options at any of your local craft stores or even on Amazon. I will recommend several buying options and I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them. You will see that most of the options I recommend are interchangeable sets, and only ones that I have heard great reviews on, even if I don’t personally own each brand. Interchangeable needles are going to be the most economical way to get started as you can use them for a wide variety of projects. Whatever you do, make sure to do your OWN research. Find out what you think the best fit for YOU will be. If you purchase a quality needle from the start, you won’t have to buy replacements later on. They will stand the test of time and use, so do your homework first and shop smart!
Still need help?
If you currently don’t know how to knit, I’d be happy to stitch this hat for you, just send me a message to custom order. I do highly recommend learning how to knit yourself though! It’s a lifelong skill you will enjoy having. Check out the site for Annie’s and/or Crafty below for an online learning option. I’m also including a link for a kit similar to what I purchased back in 2012 that I used to aid in teaching myself to knit, long before these great online resources were as readily available.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this hat or anything stitching related. I’d be happy to try and help.
Make sure to check out the links at the bottom of this post for the great sales going on at Cricut right now!
| Starting today through 1/26, Cricut is launching their Winter Wonderland Sale, featuring 30% off select vinyls, select specialty materials, and handheld tools! Cricut.com is offering Free Economy Shipping on orders $99+ with code SHIPJAN or JANSHIP through 1/31. |
Grab the Cricut Joy for only $179! Valid through 1/26.
Save 30% on select vinyl! Valid through 1/26.
Save 30% on select specialty materials! Valid through 1/26.
Save 30% on Maker-Only materials! Valid through 1/26.
EasyPress machines starting at $49. Valid through 1/26.
Save 30% on handheld tools! Valid through 1/26.Save 20% on select bulk items! Valid through 1/26.
Happy Stitching!
🧶💖
~Mindy~
