Knit a Modern Hat with Classic Style: The Lucy Hat

Far and away, the most popular pattern from our Winter 2012 issue of Knitscene has been Carina Spencer’s Lucy Hat. And what’s not to love? The cloche-style hat is perhaps most associated with the early 20th century, but it’s a style that’s easy to wear and easy to love almost 100 years later. Added bonus, this hat pattern is easy to knit!

One of the most wonderful aspects of the Lucy Hat is the yarn! Worked in Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage, the hat shows off the beautifully slight variegation in the yarn and the super saturated colors make define the contrast between the main color and the strip at the brim.

As I’ve been daydreaming about finding the time to knit my own Lucy Hat, I’ve been considering my color options. A peek at the Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage page reveals that I have no lack of options, which rather compounds the problem of choice.

I love the muted main color (Hickory) and deep jewel tone contrast color (Tart) in the original sample, but I generally like to go my own way a bit. I could see using Antique Lace as the main color and Saffron as a contrast. Or maybe Thoreau for the main color and Lapis as the contrast.

Or maybe a version with higher contrast, using Olivia for the main color and Fathom for the band. Or Worn Denim with Lepidoptera.

On the other hand, a more tonal variation might be really beautiful as well, using Forestry as the main and Malachite as the contrast. Or Baltic and Turquoise?

I’m pretty sure the lesson here is that there’s not really a wrong choice—it’s pretty much a matter of style and just how fancy I’m feeling on a particular day.

Have you knit a Lucy Hat yet, or are you planning to? If you haven’t already, you can purchase the digital edition at your LYS or nap a digital edition today!

Happy knitting,
Amy