Free Pattern Friday! A review of my favourite basic chunky hat knitting pattern - The Frankie Hat January 12 2024, 0 Comments
Extra Edit - I'm planning of reviewing this hat from Woolly Wormhead soon as an alternative recommendation. I'm sure it will be great, all of Woolly's patterns are brilliant, so in the mean time if you are looking for a chunky hat maybe check this one or any of the other chunky hat patterns they have available out. Several are free options.
Edited to say unfortunately this pattern is no longer available - if you have a favourite free chunky hat pattern do let me know!
This is the first of a new series of blog posts - I'm hoping to review on free pattern a month and share on a friday during the month.
I am trying to focus on patterns available off Ravelry, but I wrote this before checking the pattern was still available off Rav and unfortunately its a Rav only pattern now. I'm so sorry about that. I'm sure you understand I can't manage to knit up and review another pattern for January in time tho. The Rav link is at the bottom of the post.
Frankie Hat
This pattern is by Kim Firth and is available free on Ravelry.com.
Details
This pattern uses a bulky or chunky yarn and although Ravelry states Super Bulky I have made several in Chunky with no problems. It has a wide range of sizes from newborn to large adult so fits heads from 13 to 26 inches!!!! (33 to 66 cm) It uses 8mm needles and recommends 16" circular and DPNs which was what I used. It uses 50 to 100g of yarn depending on size knitted. Its easy enough for a beginner and might be a good first project for knitting in the round if you like using big needles.
My Frankie hat(s)
I have knitted this is in Desire Bounce several times now. Desire Bounce is a 100% merino chunky yarn. It has a good twist structure and shows nice stitch definition. This is a good pattern for hand dyed yarns that have more contrast in the colourway as the big stitches and stocking stitch shows off the colours well. My kids love these hats as they are really warm and the yarn wears really well. The photo above is of my daughter's hat after she had grown out. You can leave the pompom off or use a fur one for a different look.
The hat on the left is knitted in Speckled Tanager and the one on the right is Heavenly Nightmare.
Currently you can get 20% off all Desire Bounce in stock with the code HappyNewYear2024 until midnight on 14th January 2024.
This photo of my daughter shows her wearing her hat at Cubs!
Advantages of this pattern
- Available in a big range of sizes
- Only requires 1 skein
- Big Needles make it very quick to knit
- Easy pattern suitable for a beginner
- Shows off hand dyed yarn well
Do let me know if you make one!
Ravelry link to pattern Frankie Hat - This link takes you to the Ravelry listing for the pattern, sadly the pattern is no longer available.