The Crazy Hair

My husband has what we refer to as “the crazy hair”, he has cowl licks and loves to wear hats. Add those together and unless he has just gotten his hair cut, he is usually sporting “the crazy hair”. His hair likes to stick straight up, but also pushes together in a Mohawk like ridge. I don’t know how it happens, but am thankful he loves hats, and will wear them 3 out of the 4 seasons. In fact I just finished a hat for him, in 100% wool, and in Southern Indiana it is in the 80’s now, he came home from Starbucks with it on. Well I can’t complain of a husband that will wear my hand knits!


I picked out this pattern The Modern Rib Hat by Susan B Anderson, but had decided to style it into a slouchy hat. The pattern is free on Ravelry and written well and super easy to follow. It has 6 sizes, from baby and toddler up to an adult size. This is great, a size for everyone. Style it from the tradition rib, or cap size to fold up brim or a slouchy hat. I will be making more of these. Any size, any look and easy, well written, and free, well it doesn’t get better than that! Thank you Susan! Susan also blogs here, check her out for some inspiration.
So Steve is all set he can look a little slouchy cool, or go all Jacques Cousteau, for those of you who didn’t follow his exploits, see more about the famous diver/explorer, “father of scuba diving”.
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Hum mm, similar, *grin*
Yarn:Lion Brand Fisherman's 100% Wool yarn-Worsted Weight: Afghan, Aran Yarn, 8 oz. (227 g), 465 yds. (425 m), 100% pure virgin wool,  Gauge: knit 16 stiches x 22 rows = 4 inches (10cm) on size 9 (5.5mm) needles.
Product Care Instructions: Items made from this yarn may be laundered through the use of water, detergent or soap and gentle hand manipulation. No bleach product may be used. A machine dryer may not be used. Lay out horizontally for drying.
While this yarn is a bit scratchy, I still keep buying it. I can buy it at JoAnn's’ which is close to me, I love the natural colors, and the cost is great, especially when using a coupon! Listed price is $12.99 for 4 oz., but I never buy it without one of those wonderful JoAnn’s 40% off coupons. I’ve tried other wool yarns there, I also like  Patons Classic Wool Yarn, at list price of $6.99 for 240 yds.,  it is a softer yarn and described as merino, but have always gone back to this one. I’m not sure if I’ll buy anymore of this yarn, I think for the quality and price I’ll switch to Patons Classic Wool, or travel to my LYS.
I’ve noticed lately that the yarns in JoAnn's, Michaels, Hobby Lobby etc.… are going up in price, It makes me get back in my car and travel to a local yarn store to pick out something,
I think this yarn softens up after washing and although it is described as worsted weight, I would say it is closer to DK weight. I believe this yarn used to be manufactured in the US but it now has a brown wrapper on it, no just saw it today and it has a wrapper similar to the original one, but still says made in China.
Lion Brand does make some of its yarns in the USA,  The wool yarns made in the “US are LB Collection Pure Wool, and Martha Stewart Merino, and Martha Stewart Roving. I have not seen these anywhere. I passed through JoAnn's and they had all of these out, I looked at them, and there was an increased range in colors of the Patons Classic Wool also. They are also online to purchase. It seems they are pricing these yarns at a higher price point.
Well this turned into more of a yarn rant than  I had planned on. If you don’t know where a local yarn store is near you, take a look at the yarn store locator here. Yarn store GPS app (IOS), yarn store GPS app (Android). Go visit one, they usually have a wonderful staff who can advise you on yarns and patterns, and I usually find some knitting friends there.
Happy Knitting!