Issue 217 – Fresco Simple Slouchy Hat

Hats are my proverbial 'chicken-soup' when it comes to knitting. When I'm feeling beat up by a tricky sweater pattern or I can't find a cadence with my double points, a hat is just the thing to cast on. They don't have too many stitches and I know what to expect; I can just knit without having to think too much.

Of course not all hat patterns are chicken soup, but this week's Simple Slouchy Hat, designed by Susan Mills, is perfect when you need a little knitting comfort. With a little slouch and three sizes, it's an easy fit. Not to mention Fresco is a yummy yarn for just about any cool-weather project.

(file size: 850 KB; published November 15, 2011)

If you have difficulty with the PDF, try these: page 1 – page 2

The Yarn:

Fresco
60% Wool • 30% Baby Alpaca • 10% Angora

Fresco is a smooth and even 3-ply sport weight yarn. The plies are twisted together tightly enough to make a firm, springy yarn, but not so tightly that the yarn loses its lofty, soft hand. The fiber blend—wool (for warmth and strength), alpaca (for loft and sheen), and a bit of angora (to provide a soft halo)—makes a yarn that’s warm, soft, and slightly fuzzy.

Fresco is available in an expansive palette, which makes it great for colorwork projects. However, because of the ply, the yarn is also great for textured stitches and lace.

Also from Classic Elite Yarns

The aptly titled Snow Angels, features four designs in Fresco shot against the stunning backdrop of snowy, wintry New England. If you have yet to knit with Fresco, one of these projects is sure to entice you...this booklet contains knitting AND crocheting, sweaters AND accessories, something for everybody!

From the top left, Flurry, a funnel neck raglan pullover from Robin Melanson, Snowfall, a tie front cardigan sized up to 2XL from Jill Gutman Schoenfuss, Snowflake, a knit/crochet hybrid scarf by Susan Mills that would look fabulous in a rainbow of colors, and Winter Rose, a fun Fair Isle hat in two colors from Nichole Reese.