Surprise! A Second January Malabrigo Quickies: Junction Hat

January can be such a bleak, dreary and cold month, here in Ohio and so what could be better than a second Malabrigo Quickies project (especially for a hat which I would absolutely wear right now while inside, bundled up, next to my fireplace? Did I mention that it is cold? )

This bonus quickies pattern for the month features Mechita, and the designer has made two lovely samples, one in Poipu and one in Siernas. One skein of this luxurious, single-ply merino fingering yarn is all you will need to work your hat, from the brim to the crown, and voila, you will be nice and warm the next time you must venture out to shovel the snow (or at least wishful thinking on the warm part!).

Mone lives in Germany, creating accessory patterns that are quick to knit and that can be shared as a special gift. You can find more of her work on IG @monemade, or on Ravelry as Monemade. She blogs and shares her work at www.monemade.com

Mone was kind enough to share some details about her new design, Junction Hat, as well as give us a peek into her design process. 

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

The main part of the hat is knitted in brioche stitch and I really like the lofty fabric this technique creates. 

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?

The pattern looks like it uses cables, but the cable-like junctions are created knitting three stitches out of three stitches. It is explained in detail in the pattern how to do it, but it might be a bit tricky if your stitches are very tight, so if this happens, you might need to to go up a needle size for the round before the ‘junction’ round and then return to the smaller needles, so that the stiches are a bit more relaxed.

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

I think the most enjoyable part is seeing the pattern emerge after the first few repeats have been worked. While there is no cable knitting involved, it certainly looks like an intricate cabled pattern.

4: Was there any particular inspiration you had when creating this piece?

The idea for this design starting with a conversation in our local knitting group about brioche knitting. Most people admire the technique, but some found it hard to work or, if they know the basic technique, but find it difficult to use it in intricate stitch patterns. So this is my take on a brioche pattern that is easy to memorize, not too hard to work and with an interesting look.

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

That I started to write designs is mostly thanks to my knitting friends in real life. I have been knitting forever and a day and it was quite normal for me to make up my own patterns. And one day I was asked whether I couldn’t write down what I did so that others could knit a similar item. That’s how it started and I still get lots of ideas and inspiration for my patterns talking to fellow knitters.

6: What beverage are you most likely to have by your side while designing?

Coffee. My favorite knitting time are the early morning hours, and many ideas start with me sitting on our kitchen table, enjoying my first (or second or third) cup of coffee.

Right there with you Mone, with the coffee! I’m an all-day coffee drinker though, ;) 

You can find the pattern at: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/junction-hat