Pompom beanie {knitting}

Here is my July entry for the knit 12 hats in one year. I have decided that everyone should have this hat in their autumn wardrobe - it is a simple but classic design. I love the wide brim and the ribbing. 

It was so simple once knitted that I thought it needed a pompom. I did not have enough of yarn left to make a really chunky pompom. I used different shades of brown yarn to make a stripy pompom. The tutorial is published here. Even Mr MiH agreed that the pompom really added interest to the beanie hat, and usually he has no strong opinion about my knitting...  

Pattern: Mock Rib Watch Cap (free pattern on Ravelry)

Yarn: Cascade Eco-Cloud in Bunny (#1804) bought here

Needles: Circular and DPNs 5.5mm
Modification: Added a pompom. I wrote a tutorial if you want 
to make your own chunky stripy pompom.
Result: A soft beanie hat that fits very well (thanks to the stretchiness 
of the yarn, you don't have to worry too much about the gauge). 

It is easy and quick to knit, you don't have to change the pattern, perfect for a summer knitting project when you are in the middle of a heatwave and the last thing you want to make is a beanie hat. 

So how many of these am I going to make... I am thinking red. Which colour would you choose?

A hat in July {Knitting} + Le Challenge GIVEAWAY

The 12 hats in a year challenge is proving every month more and more challenging. A knitted hat is the last thing I actually need in my wardrobe right now, but I know that not long from now it is all I will want to wear. So I decided to go for simple design - for a minimum time spent on knitting. 

Pattern: Mock Rib Watch Cap (free pattern on Ravelry)

Yarn: Cascade Eco-Cloud in Bunny (#1804) bought here

Needles: Circular and DPNs 5.5mm

I did not even change the yarn - or the colour! I am glad. I had never knitted with Cascade Eco Cloud, and the yarn is actually really different from any other yarn I had knitted with. I tried to capture it on the pictures, it is not twisted, it is sort of braided - and so stretchy! It is a merino and alcapa blend - and I don't seem to be allergic to it, result! It would be great for sweaters in the winter, and probably very forgiving for sizing. 

I have bought about a girl (Lindsey Kelk) on Ibooks recently - after seeing a lot of recommendations on twitter. I have yet failed to make it to Chapter 1, so cannot tell you a lot about it - but it seems to be the perfect chilling out book! 

Linking to Tamis and Ginny's today. 

So here is for the giveaway. As you may know the next le challenge theme is HEROES (entries due on September 15), and Kirsty at Quiet Play has shared her inspiration and given you a chance to win 3 of a paper pieced patterns!! To enter, go here.