Temple Cats Hat Pattern

This pattern is available from Knit Picks for $3.99 as a pdf download.*


Once I decided to design a cat-themed hat, I became a little obsessed.  Originally I was going to knit with a traditional pattern gleaned from one of my books.

But the heads seemed to be lacking something, namely, a body, and I think this pattern looks a little menacing. I wanted purring, not hissing, cats. So rather than traditional, I decided to be original. Imagine that!

After several overly complex sketches, I blocked out a simple shape. These cats look naive and sweet, like a cross between a Maneki Neko (beckoning cat), and a pixelated kitty from a classic video game.

I've named the hat "Temple Cats" in honor of one of the legends of Maneki Neko, and because everyone loves a pun.

I'm fond of the curling tail.


*1/21/10: This pattern is now being offered at Knit Picks.

Pattern Information
Techniques and stitches
Stockinette stitch, decreasing, knitted braid, stranded knitting, knitting from a chart, knitting in the round

This pattern is suitable for intermediate knitters. The directions assume that you are familiar with stranded knitting.

Sizes
To fit head circumferences
xs / toddler: 15.25-17.25 in /39-44 cm
s / child: 17.75-19.75 in /45.5-50 cm
m / adult: 20.25-22.25 in /51.5-56.5 cm
l / adult: 23-25 in /58 -63.5 cm

Finished circumferences
xs / toddler: 15.25 in / 39 cm
s /child : 17.75 in / 45.5 cm
m /adult: 20.25 in / 51.5 cm
l/adult: 23 in / 58 cm

Hat pictured is size m, worn with 2 inches negative ease.

Yarn: Knit Picks Elegance, 1 (1, 1, 2) skeins of Ash (MC) and 1 (1, 1, 1) of Cornflower (CC).

1/21/10: Since Ash has been discontinued, I recommend substituting Knit Picks Andean Treasure in Fog Heather for the main color.

Substitute yarn of similar weight (DK) and composition (70% alpaca, 30% silk, or wool and wool blends) in the following approximate amounts:
For MC: 70 (80, 100, 130) yds / 65 (74, 92, 119 ) m
For CC: 40 (50, 65, 80) yds /37 (46, 60, 74) m

Needles: US 4/3.5 mm circular, US 6/4.0 mm circular and dpn’s. If needed, change size to obtain gauge.
Misc: stitch markers, tapestry needle
Gauge: 22 sts and 26 rws over 4 in/10 cm, in stockinette st, after blocking.

When is a cucumber not cool?

When the temperature reaches 106 farenheit! I just stepped into the garden to pick a cucumber and a few cherry tomatoes. They felt warm and cooked. And now, so am I.

I finished a hat a few days ago. I'd like to post a picture of it. But, for some reason, I just don't feel like putting anything made of alpaca anywhere on my body.

Woolly Copse

My sister has a talent for finding expensive yarn in thrift stores. Sometimes this is cause for celebration, and at other times, lamentation. At first glance, I couldn't imagine what this strange yarn should be used for. My sister must've have thought the same thing because she gave a big bag of the stuff to my mom.

My mom is not daunted by weird yarn. She knit a blanket, and it's kind of cool. Look how good it looks on Ziggy! Ziggy's been under the weather for more than 3 months now :( But, at least he's keeping cozy in this thicket of wooly boucle.

I'm nearly done with a summer cardigan. I think these buttons look about right. Best of all, both the yarn and the buttons are from my stash.

And, here's a little swatch of what I hope will be a simple, summer tank. I'm experimenting with combination knitting. I have a couple of wrong way decreases, but other than that, I like the results.

I don't generally have trouble with rowing out, and I'm not opposed to imperfections, but the stitches in this 100% cotton yarn looked a little too uneven for my tastes. Combination knitting helps to keep the tension of the purls equal to the knits. (It's probably hard to tell from this stupid picture.)

Learn more about combination knitting from Annie Modesitt and Grumperina.