Yes, I know it is April and it is not the right time to publish a winter hat pattern but after three weeks of spring-like weather, we are back to winter time. Sigh. We were already enjoying very warm days–those when you wear linen dresses and shorts– when a truly winter aura hit and we needed to drag all our winter clothes from the closet. Again.
This colorful hat has been with me for five years. I meant to turn my notes into a pattern-suitable instructions several times over that period but there was always something in a way and I forgot about it.
After I published my Blank Page Set patterns, I stumbled upon this hat in my wardrobe and thought it would be a good idea to finalize my plan related to it. It was February, and I really thought it would take me a week to prepare everything for publishing. Well, it took a bit longer and it was already warm, so I thought it would need to wait for the next season. I cannot say I enjoy the cold outside, but there is, for sure, something positive about that- it is absolutely normal to publish my new pattern: welcome Field of Oats.
It is a hat made of super bulky yarn so it is a really quick knit. The yarn is self-striping, which helps is showcasing the glimpses of color here and there, especially in the diagonal strokes. It resembles oats fields I remember from my childhood. When you look from a distance, you see gold waving in the wind, and when you zoom in, you can see those mystical and beautiful oat flowers, so delicate and pure. Bringing that image to a knitted textile made of super thick yarn in dark colors is a jump but I think it works in its unique way.
I used a fairly simple stitch pattern but oh, so impressive. There is not much you need to do to get an energetic result. And you can create your own story attached to this pattern; perhaps you will see something different than me in those strokes.
There is also a way to personalize your version of Filed of Oats. If you want, you can repeat the body rounds to get a taller hat or add several rounds between decrease rounds in the crown to get a pointier hat, or even make it a slouchy hat. Note, however, that super bulky yarn creates a pretty stiff fabric, it is not lacy but rather keeps its shape. Thus, you may need to experiment with two strands of thinner yarn held together to get a bit softer, hence lacier, fabric, if you want a deeper, slouchy-like version of this hat.
Publishing a winter hat pattern in April is truly an adventure. I feel it is special in a way also because of today’s date. It is 24.04.2024 (or 04.24.2024 depending on which format you use), and it makes me smile when I look at it. I just had to publish this hat today.
The pattern is available from the pattern section → Field of Oats. I hope you will make one or two, or three for your close ones. Please, make sure to share photos of your creations in my Stitch Glimpse group or on social media by tagging #StitchGlimpse. It is always a thrill for me to see versions of my designs created by talented people.
~ Cathliin
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