Antler toque

We are well into December now and hopefully you have finished all your gift knitting. I have 1 item to finish but thought that I’d like to make a hat for myself.

At the start of December I paid a visit to my local yarn store and saw some gorgeous new yarn by Drops.

Image from http://www.garnstudio.com

This alpaca/polyamide/wool mix is blown into a tube shape and not spun like wool would normally be prepared so it’s lighter than a comparable spun wool. It really is so light. I chose a ball in colour 3 – pearl grey.

I also wanted a pom-pom to go with it and when Åsa (owner of Folklore Yarns) pointed out some Toft alpaca fur pom-poms I wasn’t sure, but since they are ethical fur products – no alpaca was killed for its fur I thought I’d try it out.

Image from http://www.toftuk.com

The pom-pom is unbelievably soft and it’s like touching air. It comes with a thread securely attached to the centre so there’s no danger of it unravelling from the hat once it’s attached.

Once I had bought these I looked at Ravelry for a suitable hat pattern for the aran weight wool and came across the Antler toque by Tin Can Knits, toque is a Canadian word for a close fitting knit hat with a pom-pom.

I thought it would be a good starter cable knit project as I don’t really have much experience. I decided to make the small adult size for myself and got started on the 2nd December.

The cables worked up quite quickly though it was hard going on my finger tips. I gave it a break for a week and then yesterday (15th Dec) I worked on it for several hours so that I’d get it finished for today (while I have daylight for some FO photos).

The only change to the pattern I made was that I added an extra set of antler cable pattern,so knit 9 sets instead of the suggested 8.

I have to say that I love how this hat has turned out. It’s so soft and fits really well – I wear it with the brim down.

I’m happy that I added the extra set of cables so I have the option of pulling the hat on tighter or looser in a more slouchy style.

I’m glad I finally have a hat (that actually suits me) to wear during the Christmas holidays.

• Pattern: Antler toque by Tin Can Knits
• Wool: Drops Air in Pearl Grey
• Pom-pom: Toft alpaca in silver

Speak soon

Jean x