Every year for the last three years winters, I have knit L a hat. (I can’t say years, since I missed 2013 entirely, but oh well.) I still haven’t gotten it quite right, but there’s nothing like a challenge to keep you on the case.
It comes so close to matching the scarf I knit him! Maybe a Brig scarf is in order some day?
This year, for his birthday (which was yesterday!) I knit him Brig by Veronik Avery, which was part of Brooklyn Tweed’s BT Men collection. I even used Shelter, which I picked up when I was in New York in October. I know that some people find Shelter a little scratchy, but I love it. It offers a rustic look but is, in my opinion anyway, very soft and pleasant to wear, especially after blocking.
For some reason, I thought it would knit up tightly (my Scrollwork came out a bit small, you may recall) so while I didn’t go up my usual needle size, it didn’t even occur to me to go down a needle size. But, the thing about Shelter is that it’s loosely spun. This makes it airy and light and warm, but it also makes it a bit fragile, so where I might usually pull on the yarn to keep it tight, with Shelter I didn’t. The result is a hat that fits, but maybe not with the amount of negative ease you might want in a hat.
L doesn’t usually go for the slouchy look, but I have to say, I am a fan, especially for the days when he’s working at the computer and wants to keep the hair out of his eyes.
Long story short, I will probably knit this again. L really likes the classic watch-cap-ness of the design and the colour, and since he’s wearing it today, I know this version will get worn and loved. It won’t be the toasty hat, cold day go-to that I wanted it to be though, so maybe this will be the year of two hats! We shall see.
Details
Pattern: Brig (hat) by Veronik Avery
Yarn: Brooklyn Tweed Shelter in Artifact
Needles: 4.5mm
Details: I knit the hat until it measured 8.25 inches from the cast on. Then I started the decreases, doing the first section all at once (rather than every other row) because I was worried it was getting too long. I knit the rest of the crown as written. Ravelled here.
Pans & Needles 
I love your new layout! 😀 Very clean and beautiful.
The hat looks great – and you are probably a better mate than me – I’ve promised Philipp a hat LAST YEAR and let him chose everything .. He chose a heavily cabled pattern and I don’t wanna knit cables.
I REALLY have to get going, after I’ve finished my socks …
Have a great weekend! 😀
Thank you! I felt like this space need a little spruce up. I didn’t really think Too much about the design when I set this blog up two years ago.
I totally hear you on not wanting to knit the hat you promised. I’m much better at gift knitting when the request is general and the specifics are left up to me. I may yet knit L a called hat, but so far he’s been happy with ribbing and/stripes, which sits me fine!
Love the tweedy bits that make the yarn pop!
I totally agree. Brooklyn Tweed yarn has some amazing colourways.
Could there be a more perfect for him? Well done you!
Thank you!