Knit Hats with Woolly Wormhead by Woolly Wormhead

Knit Hats with Woolly Wormhead

by Woolly Wormhead

International hat-knitting icon Woolly Wormhead is known for her unique, innovative hat designs and is followed the world over by avid fans. This collection includes patterns for 22 of her designs: 12 patterns for women, five men’s designs, and five hats for kids. The special elements in her designs – such as cables, textures, and colourwork – mixed with the “how'd she do that” types of construction she is famous for, are what set her designs apart and make them extra-fun to knit.

In this book, Woolly also gives plenty of hat-knitting tips, as well as helpful hints on how to choose your most flattering hat style. Grab some gorgeous yarn, choose a favourite hat pattern, and cast on!

Reviewed by annieb123 on

5 of 5 stars

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Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Knit Hats with Woolly Wormhead is a collection of stylish and well designed hats by Ravelry designer Wooly Wormhead. Due out 1st Aug 2021 from Rowman & Littlefield on their Stackpole imprint, it's 136 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

The projects are arranged thematically: for her, for him, and for kids. There are 22 complete projects in all and they are all really neat with integrated patterning and shaping in different textured techniques. The thing that struck me about the designs is how "knitterly" they are. The details are almost sculptural and there are several which have really clever integrated lace or mosaic knit details which shape the hat at the same time they provide design interest. Each of the projects has multiple pictures in color which are clear and show styling and design details clearly. Materials used are specified by yarn weight and include yardage estimates. Hints and tips are included in the patterns in text boxes. Projects also include the yarn and yardage used as pictured in the samples with specific brands listed.

In addition to the 22 designs (which have both written and charted design elements provided - the charts are at the back of the book), there are some really useful tutorial appendices. There are short primers on getting the proper fit, figuring ease, how to position and wear a hat, and several photo tutorials which in my opinion are worth the price of the book. There's one on how to graft (Kitchener) garter stitch, German short rows in garter stitch (without holes or jogs), provisional cast on, and two color Kitchener. I've been knitting for nearly 50 years at this point and until now, garter stitch grafting has defeated me. It's true that the above techniques can probably be found online, but not gathered together in one place and certainly not packaged with these clever designs. The author has also included an abbreviated links and suppliers list.

Five stars. This is a very clever and well designed collection.This would make a superlative selection for public or home library use, fibrearts guild groups, or as a wonderful gift.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

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  • Started reading
  • 31 July, 2021: Finished reading
  • 31 July, 2021: Reviewed