I cannot believe how quickly July is ending and with it, the seemingly end of summer (or at least summer vacation!).

The stores are already stocked with all those shiny back-to-school goodies (the weather here did not get the memo and it is just on perpetual Heat Wave all day every day) and the more fun things like Pools, BBQs and splash pads are getting harder and harder to find as they slowly make their way out the door.

Thankfully yarn is always there and with a staple like Malabrigo Washted, you can reach for it and knit up something no matter what the weather decides it wants to do today.

With Baladi, designer Ranée Mueller has crafted a stunning hat that can become the perfect accessory to celebrate these lingering summer days and that will be useful for all your last visits to pick berries but will also be equally as welcome when you make the shift to going to the pumpkin patch in just a few months.

This hat is also the perfect gift pattern, as it is sized from Infant to Adult Large. You will knit either 1 or 2 skeins of Washted, depending on the size you choose to knit.

Ranée is a knitwear designer whose patterns are a confluence of east meets west, just like her heritage. The patterns she designs feature traditional Middle Eastern aesthetic using texture, vibrant color, and cables in concert with western garments and accessories. She has a passion for intriguing construction, especially if it avoids or minimizes sewing (Baladi requires just enough sewing to secure the bow in place!). Ranée took the time to share a little bit about this clever design with us and I’m excited to share more about her work with you all today.

1: What is your favorite part of your Quickies design and why?

The bow! I love that it is part of the brim and made along with the hat.

2: What should knitters pay attention to when working this pattern? Do you have any tips or tricks that will make knitting this pattern easier?

This is a fairly simple to execute pattern, but the bow does take a little attention at the end, and it looks far too large in circumference when you are starting to knit it. Also, normally, I am a knitter who kind of ignores stitch markers, but it will be easier to keep track of the beginning of round with one in this.

3: What do you think knitters will enjoy the most about this project?

The one-piece construction. While there is a little sewing to tack down the bow, the entire hat is made in onepiece.

4: What does your design process look like?

Often it begins with seeing something in nature, or a particular pattern on art or in architecture. That starts the process. Then, I think of how to either interpret or represent that idea or thing in knitting. Rarely do I sketch first. I tend to write a few descriptive sentences of what I want to do, chart the colorwork or cables or lace, if there is any of that, and then start “sketching” on the needles. There is a lot of swatching. When I have a fabric that I like, I start to loosely write the pattern. Then, I knit the sample. I finalize the pattern, do photography, and photo editing. If I am on top of things, I send a draft copy to a fellow designer with whom I participate in a critique and support group and have her take a look at it for obvious errors, then I send it to my technical editor. Otherwise, it goes straight to my tech editor. When we correct any mistakes or inconsistencies, I send it to beta knitters to see if it makes sense to them, and what yarn and color choices they make. Then I publish!

5: What is your favorite color in Malabrigo’s catalog?

How can I pick just one? I mentioned how much I love vibrant color, and that is a lot of the appeal in Malabrigo yarns. Sauterne is one of the most perfect golden yellows I have seen, Tuareg is a gorgeous indigo blue, Cereza is just about the truest red, and Persia and Archangel are my favorite tonal colorways. I think I’ve used the Cereza most, so maybe that is my favorite?

6: What is the one thing you wish people knew about you as a designer?

That I still love seeing that people I don’t know make things from my patterns. It is a thrill that doesn’t go away. I also actually enjoy helping people over stumbling blocks, so I do welcome questions. Just be patient, as I have seven kids at home, five of whom I’m still homeschooling.

You can find more of Ranée’s work on IG @arabianknits.

Her website is: http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/

The pattern can be purchased on Payhip or on Ravelry

Post by Jessica Anderson @ajoyfullmesswithjess