Knit-Along: Varick Street Hat
Knit a Cabled Hat from the Top Down
When the weather gets cold, nothing is more comfortable than a stylish hat. Whether you want to give this as a gift or plan to knitn t for yourself, you will want to add this hat to your wardrobe. And every time you look at it, you can admire that cable design on the side.
The Varick Street Hat is knitted from the top down and in the round. Knitting from the top down allows knitters to try on their project as they go. Using this fun, quick and simple design, we will learn how to work in the round on double pointed needles, create cables, and learn a simple cast on for top-down hat construction. Special color coded charts help simplify chart reading, and a photo tutorial demonstrates new techniques.
You will want to make this quick hat for everyone on your gift list.
Click to enlarge
Category:
Skill Level:
Intermediate
Basic Skills Necessary:
- Knitting
- Purling
- Increasing
- Decreasing
- Binding Off
Includes:
- Complete instructions
- Downloadable PDF pattern
- Help from pattern designer anytime!
- Step-by-Step Photos
You Will Need:
- 1 skein Spud & Chloë Outer, 65% Superwash Wool/35% Organic Cotton, 60 yards/100 g skein, Color #7219 Buoy
- Set of 5 US #11 Double Pointed Needles
- 1 Stitch Marker
- 1 Cable Needle
- 1 Yarn Needle
About the Designer:
Kirsten Kapur
Kirsten has been knitting, sewing and creating for as long as she can remember. She worked for many years as a fashion and then textile designer in NYC. Designing knitting patterns allows her the opportunity to combine her love of garment construction and surface design.
Reviews of this Workshop
Great pattern and workshop, but not for the cost November 10, 2012
sisjane
I love the pattern and the cast on. I even like the yarn and the color of the yarn. But it's not enough to finish the project as written (and I checked my gauge). I would not have paid what I did for a pattern and one skein of yarn had I known that was what it was. But the fact that the single skein isn't even enough yarn to complete the hat is really what caused me to give this rating. Additionally, the needles called for need to be special ordered, adding to the cost.
I love the ...
Not the best experience for a first class/KAL with Craftsy November 3, 2012
wizofozgal
I didn't mind learning the new cast on (tho adding a video rather than us having to go search for one might have been a good idea)- I changed over to a circ after the increase rows and I am most sure that this hat will not only not fit me, but there is no way that I will finish all 22 rows with the amount of yarn provided.
I might try the pattern again with a different color, fibre - the pattern itself (other than cast on)- was not a challenge for me.
That being said- I am ...
Fun project and a cool hat! October 31, 2012
karakoolkitty
I loved this project! I got the yarn quickly and wound it off into a cake. The cast-on was a little weird, but I got it after three tries. I plan to use it again with some other bulky yarn from my stash. I zoomed through the knitting and only sorta used the chart - once I got into the swing of things the pattern knit itself. I love this hat! It fits perfectly and the color is perfect for fall. In fact, I crochted a couple green leaves for my hat and plan to wear tonight when I welcome ...
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new to knit a longs October 25, 2012
SharLu
I really enjoyed this knit a long. This is the first one I have ever done.
I thought it was a great project and taught me some new skills without being too overwhelming.
Definitely will do another!
Mary
Short amount of yarn a big problem October 22, 2012
PegNH
This workshop could have been improved GREATLY by providing enough yarn for the project. Although the designer indicates where the hat can be shortened, I ended up worrying about even starting given the possibility I might end up with a beanie rather than a hat. I like the idea of another writer who suggested providing mini-skein (especially to those who didnt have enough). I decided to use 10 1/2 needles for a snug fit and ended up with just enough to finish.
On the positive ...
First time for a lot! October 21, 2012
Miriimp
I will admit this was my first time with this cast on, it did take me awhile to figure out and it was my first time knitting cable, pretty fun stuff actually. But it worked out well, the hat rocks and the support was really great. I'm a night time knitter so there was always a response when I got home from work the next day.
Nice hat, a few problems October 19, 2012
alax
Liked the hat, but did run out of yarn and had to go back and eliminate some rows of cable. I also could not do the row before decrease, but made sure I had enough for decrease row and bind-off. The hat seems to be the right size. I was glad to learn a new cast-on for a top down hat, but, even as an experienced knitter, it took several tries to "get it" from the pictures. I would suggest when teaching a complicated technique such as this, to use a video presentation. That would have made it ...
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Waste of my time and money. October 18, 2012
marthasc
I love to be tried and tested with new things. I have done other knit-a -longs and have been very pleased with the experience. October's knit- a-long was very disapppointing,
I did finish the hat but have since taken it apart because it is unwearable.
There wasn't enough yarn to complete the hat per instructions. The finished hat was too tight even though I went back and took out the decrease row.
I think the project was over priced and that the wrong yarn was ...
Not very good October 17, 2012
leighc
Very expensive to get one skein of yarn for $25. The cast-on and top-down technique was interesting and I did enjoy that. Didn't like the yarn that much -- not that fun to work with. Yes, not enough yarn at all. Very disappointed in this. This was my first Craftsy KAL and i will be very cautious about doing another.
Too short and a KNOT too! October 16, 2012
tesserac
I don't generally have problems with running short but I took out 2 rows and still did not have enough to bind off. I had to use another yarn to have enough to bind off. Color, texture and pattern are fine. It will be someone's Christmas gift.
Very Disappointed... October 15, 2012
rdsna8958
I agree with others about the KAL and the yarn being very disappointing and expensive for the amount of yarn received. I would never wear a hat of this color and will probably never use this yarn.
October KAL October 15, 2012
Buckmark
I must agree with most of the other reviews. I was really disappointed in the yarn and pattern.
I noticed a credit on my account today and am assuming it is from this project. That is really classy and says a lot regarding Craftsy and their expectations for projects. I am hoping next months project is as enjoyable as Septembers. :)
Nice Hat but.... October 14, 2012
Quadshotyarn
I was expecting more on this one. I could not figure out the cast on no matter how many different ways/times I attempted it. I finally just did a normal cast on and said the hell with it. I didn't try reading the chart after seeing multiple comments about the chart having errors.
I omitted two rows in the middle of the cable to try and save yarn but I still ran out of yarn in the middle of my bind off despite meeting gauge. . I had to beg my girlfriend who also did this KAL for ...
Wish I would have waited for the pattern.... October 13, 2012
Omalleycraft
With a tight budget, I saved to join the KAL. The yarn arrived and the color was fine-not great, but fine. I did struggle with the cast-on, but that is not a factor in my rating. The pattern is great...but a $30 hat pattern is not in my future again.
With knots in the yarn and knowing that we may need to cut rows out to "finish" our hat is frustrating. I am struggling to work on this hat. To get my tension exact having the best chance possible to complete the hat. Each time I ...
Great for a beginner October 13, 2012
Jen Dye
I really enjoyed this project as a newer knitter. I finished the knit 4 hats course so this ended up being another great hat for my growing collection. I had enough yarn for the entire hat (although only about 1 yard left). Given the retail price of this yarn, I didn't think the value was that bad. The instructions and videos were great!
For a video of the cast on technique . . . October 11, 2012
DrZ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pArL2JvoSzw&feature=related
I read all of the comments before starting the project, and decided I would try to find someone who was demonstrating the cast-on technique in a video. The one in the video approaches things a little differently, e.g., does a yarn over-knit one rather than the reverse order in the pattern but regardless, it's easy to see what you are attempting to accomplish.
quick project October 10, 2012
dhb
the cast on was a little tricky, but once I got it , it worked really well. I would call this an instant gratification project. I started it and finished it in a few hours. This is a cute hat, but I had NO yarn left and I did have to cut out a row. I will save this and chances are will make it again.
Fall Fun October 8, 2012
Trink
I loved the feel of the yarn -- and it was fun to work with. The name of the yarn "Spud & Chloe" was special to me because our high school mascot is the "spuds" and the colors are Orange and Black -- Perfect color! I liked learning the cast on -- probably the best part of the class! It was fun to pull the tail and have it tighten up - and I definitely use this cast on for any future projects that it would work well with. I liked that the hat could be knit quickly -- and I thought of all of ...
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Unhappy October 8, 2012
rmaxwell@delhitel.net
I am writing a review while sitting beside a pile of unwound bulky orange yarn. YUK! After spending many hours trying to figure out the cast-on I am completely frustrated. I have watched videos, read the instructions and worked the yarn and just can't seem to get it right. I agree with many other reviewers that it was very expensive and not a usable color for this project. I will think trice before trying another KAL
Pretty easy but very costly knit along! October 8, 2012
GAmomoftwo
It was a nice knitting experience, but for a knit along that I paid over 25 dollars for with shipping, not worth the money. One skein of yarn for 25 dollars is something I will never do again. I will be using the cast on in future hat projects, but having a video showing how to do it instead of pictures would have been much much better. The choice of color was also not the best, but I have a friend that is a huge Auburn fan and it is perfect for her! I did take out 2 rows to make sure there ...
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Fun, quick and cute hat! October 7, 2012
Intocats
I enjoyed this workshop. I especially like the cast-on technique, which is a snap once you get the hang of it. I would have learned easier with a video instead of pictures, but...eventually I got it.
I had just enough yarn to complete all rounds of the hat, with less than one yard to spare {whew}. It does fit over my big 22" head, though it is a bit snug around the edge. I had a male (adult) friend try it on and it fits him fine.
The pattern is very cute and it is ...
Learned something new. October 7, 2012
mcalh4989
I enjoyed learning something new -the cast-on, the cabling, and the top down technique. I went for a flatter crown. If I hasn't I wouldn't have has enough yarn. I also had to drop the last row to have enough. It will make the perfect gift for a granddaughter on my list.
Varick Street Hat October 7, 2012
Maryannee
I am another unhappy knitter. I don't have enough yarn to bind off and finish this hat. It knits up quickly and is a cute pattern. The class is quite expensive and not having enough yarn to complete it is extremely disappointing. Being my first KAL , it may be my last... I've never paid $30+ for a hat! And one that won't be worn!
October 7, 2012
mgraham
Love the yarn! The pattern is not my favorite for hats, but the cast on was new to me, so I did learn a new technique. Overall, it was disappointing. The price is definitely on the high side, many knitters had it completed in a short amount of time, and I wish that there had been a video of the cast on instead of photos. Hat was not all that challenging once the cast on was mastered, and had to shorten the hat between rows 8 -14 as suggested or I would have run out of yarn!
October 7, 2012
mgraham
Love the yarn! The pattern is not my favorite for hats, but the cast on was new to me, so I did learn a new technique. Overall, it was disappointing. The price is definitely on the high side, many knitters had it completed in a short amount of time, and I wish that there had been a video of the cast on instead of photos. Hat was not all that challenging once the cast on was mastered, and had to shorten the hat between rows 8 -14 as suggested or I would have run out of yarn!
October 7, 2012
mgraham
Love the yarn! The pattern is not my favorite for hats, but the cast on was new to me, so I did learn a new technique. Overall, it was disappointing. The price is definitely on the high side, many knitters had it completed in a short amount of time, and I wish that there had been a video of the cast on instead of photos. Hat was not all that challenging once the cast on was mastered, and had to shorten the hat between rows 8 -14 as suggested or I would have run out of yarn!
October 7, 2012
mgraham
Love the yarn! The pattern is not my favorite for hats, but the cast on was new to me, so I did learn a new technique. Overall, it was disappointing. The price is definitely on the high side, many knitters had it completed in a short amount of time, and I wish that there had been a video of the cast on instead of photos. Hat was not all that challenging once the cast on was mastered, and had to shorten the hat between rows 8 -14 as suggested or I would have run out of yarn!
Disappointed October 7, 2012
muzzyknit
Although the hat is now complete, I was disappointed in the amount of yarn provided, the color, and the fact that the chosen pattern called for an unusual size of double-pointed needles.
I had to eliminate five rows from this hat in order to complete with the amount of yarn provided. In addition, the color of the yarn was disappointing and is not a color I'd normally wear. A more neutral yarn would have worked well for this project.
Overall, I would say that this workshop ...
Not bad, but... October 7, 2012
Tiffanna
The only reason this worked out for my is because my husband loves the color orange and the pattern was neutral enough for him to be thrilled when I surprised him with the finished hat. There was barely enough yarn for me to complete the project as it was written. While I matched the gauge exactly, the hat is snug. It's a good thing my husband prefers this type of hat to be snug because if I had to redo it a bit looser there wouldn't be enough yarn to finish without removing a number of rows. ...
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Fun! October 6, 2012
CharlieT
The cast- on was maddening until I finally figured it out, and then I was delighted to have learned something new. Fun and funky fiber...would probably not have chosen it, but loved it. The big cable was easy and fun; really makes the hat special. The finished hat was a little too snug but I added a few drops of shampoo- in conditioner to the water when blocking and the fiber totally relaxed. I 'll make a few more of these hats for gifts. Easy to finish in an evening.
Varick Hat October 6, 2012
mary.brint86963
I finished it the evening I started it. Or rather almost 2AM. "Oh, there are only 6 rows left..."
I have done cable work before, although it's been a while. The part I learned the most from was the cast-on. I'd recently made a pouch for my best friend to put her keys in and started from the bottom, struggling through a fudged version (my own) of what we did here. Next time i make one of those, I will definitely use what I just learned - thank you so much!
You gave us great ...
learned something new October 6, 2012
superrosesmom
I took this workshop so I could learn something new, and I did. It's not a pattern or color I would normally use, but I have others in my life to share it with. The pictures on the cable process were excellent and very appriciated by me. There really wasn't enough yarn for any play in the pattern or to compensate for different knitting styles. Craftsy should add an extra skien or mini-skien to help with that problem next time.
Varick St. hat October 5, 2012
mtilloitson
I did not have any trouble with the pattern, but there was not enough yarn supplied for the project, even though I was knitting at the correct guage and I altered the pattern by skipping at least 6 rows. That was very disappointing. For the amount that was charged for the pattern and the yarn it would have been nice to have the proper amount of yarn without having to skip that many rows.
Mary
First time on a lot of things October 5, 2012
Tamarakay
I am a new knitter and this was my first time to do a lot of the techniques in this project. First time in the round, first time to cable, a couple of new stitches for me (I am a VERY new knitter). The step by step instructions were nice, but I was really confused by the CO. A little video of that part would be extremely helpful. I look forward to learning more. The yarn was more than a bit of a bother. Fraying and a knot left me a little short of having enough yarn. I had to unravel and tie ...
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Not a Great Value October 5, 2012
Debra K
I have been very happy with my other Craftsy classes, workshops, and yarn/fabric purchases...until this one. One skein of yarn and a so so pattern for $32 (including shipping) felt very overpriced to me. Next time I will wait to see what the workshop is before signing up for a 'mystery'. Live and learn.
Go Texas Longhorns! October 5, 2012
Daph119
I guess since we are knitting in October the orange color sort of makes sense and if I try hard I can make myself think it's a fun color. Can't wear that color though so it will have to go to a family member who supports the Texas Longhorns. The project was easy and a quick knit but I almost ran out of yarn. The yarn isn't my favorite because it pills too easily. It ended up stretching out a lot when it was washed. Might be too big now.
Varick Street Hat October 5, 2012
Dianne C
It was quick to knit; had just enough yarn. The "elastic" bind off method worked the best. I personally don't like tight fitted hats, but it will be a nice donation to the hat and mitten tree this Christmas season.
Interesting but not quite good enough October 3, 2012
pktechgirl
First of all, I'm all for hats and I don't hate orange. At first I thought this pattern was weird but hey, it's cute (in my opinion) once you knit it up. That said, the amount of yarn provided is ridiculous. I seriously do not know how the girl in the pictures has so much hat left over on the top of her head. I've used as much yarn as I possibly can out of this ball and it fits on my head but it doesn't stay. I'll be re-knitting the hat to make sure it isn't just my problem but I think ...
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Cute hat! October 3, 2012
See Ali Knit
Love the color--it's perfect for fall and matches the changing leaves! I also love the cable pattern. So cute!
A couple not-so-great things, though:
1) I ran out of yarn. Twice. (Frogged the hat the first time through and knit tighter the second time, even though my gauge was already tighter than suggested.) So if you make this hat, maybe pick a different yarn that gives you more yardage (or buy extra).
2) The hat was a little taller than I like. Next time ...
Varick hat October 3, 2012
Knit143
I thought this was a wonderful project and enjoyed adding to my knowledge base of how to make a hat top-down and a new cast-on method. I also liked the yarn provided for this mystery KAL and figured it would be a hat. I think Kirsten did a first -rate job with the instructions. Thank you!
I have done several of these mystery KALs but felt this was a rather expensive project, but this is Crafsy, not the knitter. Also, if someone who was an experienced knitter and knew the ...
Varick Street Hat October 3, 2012
Mahoot
I loved this pattern! I always do top down hats but never used the cast on you did. It is like the crochet magic loop cast on, so I loved it totally and I will use it on all my hats from this day forward! I must say the first time I made it I came up short one DPN on the cast off, so I just went down a needle size and threw it on my circulars and it came out perfect. I make hats for charity so this will join the package and I am sure someone will smile when they get it.
I love this ...
Quick and easy hat October 2, 2012
Knit bunny
Thought this project was great! I had enough yarn left that I went back and added two more rows so it would cover my ears. The hat definently looked better after blocking. Love the color! Can't wait to wear it tomorrow on my crisp morning walk. Kind of sad that this KAL was short, but I guess I do have other projects to finish
Some people like orange. Hunters love orange! So do Freeway workers-it keeps them safe! October 2, 2012
Rippling Water
This is a quick project and I learned several things in the process of making this really cute hat. I feel Kirsten covered everything in the Workshop description and in her Introduction. I have crocheted numereous items from the center out so her cast-on method really clicked for me and also sparked some ideas I want to experiment with. I learned to increase the hat's circumference, shorten it, lengthen it, what to do if my yarn is running short and reaquainted myself with knitting with 5 ...
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Very disappointed! October 2, 2012
jillyc
I was excited when I received the yarn. I thought we would be knitting a project for Halloween. When the pattern was announced I was shocked. Very few people in the world can wear this color and to make matters worse, the hat does not even cover the ears. I feel like I completely wasted my money on this project. Does anyone at Craftsy have a suggestion for an alternative pattern? I would never wear this hat and I don't think it looks good enough for a gift. I am thinking about taking it apart ...
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Hat OK, color a disaster October 2, 2012
theialin
The hat pattern is ok, but I guess I like balance and with just one cable running down one side of the hat it put me off a bit. The color is awful. I asked my daughter of 13 if she would like the hat and she declined. She did not like the color either. I had less than a yard of yarn left over after I finished knitting the hat and I had to use an alternate bind off as the hat was too tight to fit on my head even using size 15 needles for a regular bind off. I might try knitting this hat ...
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Not what I expected! October 2, 2012
kcscrapper
I love Craftsy and was very happy with the September KAL, but this one has disappointed me and I haven't even started it yet. First I was disappointed in the color choice. Too BRIGHT for most everyone and not an orange that I would wear in the fall/winter, and I wear orange. I looked up the designer and was a little more excited but still couldn't figure out what we could be making with such little yardage. Went out and even bought #11 DPN's because I didn't have them. Then the pattern ...
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An orange hat? Really? October 2, 2012
TingTing
I am very disappointed with this KAL. It seems like we all got the yarn which can be bought at a much lower price and a color nobody wants. Neither the yarn, nor the pattern makes me happy. Dear Craftsy, please do better than this next time!!! Since I liked the Sep KAL, I will give the mystery KAL another try. But, if I get "ripped off" again, that's it.
Great project! October 2, 2012
Sue - T
This is what I like: a new project that can be completed in a day (or two if you are busy). The hat is adorable and Kirsten was extremely helpful in responding to inquiries. I was concerned that there would be enough yarn to finish the hat, but just as Kirsen and several others mentioned, keep to gauge and there will be just enough for the project. Look at this as a bonus: you have a completed project and don't have left-over yarn that you just cannot bear to throw away but don't have enough to ...
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Love it. October 1, 2012
iCram
I think this hat is crazy adorable. I had checked out Kirsten's designs before purchasing, and I wasn't disappointed when I got the pattern. I was unsure about the color at first, but after seeing the pattern, I think it's a great match. I love the top-down construction and the fact that it's a quick and stylish knit. I did have nearly 3 yards of yarn left over, but especially for the price, I think that was cutting it a little close.
Mystery Huge Disappointment October 1, 2012
CeaSews
Have I really paid $30 for a hat? Is this all there is for the entire month or are there more yarns and patterns coming? Before I signed up I checked out Kirsten's patterns and still think that what she designs is fun and something I'd like to knit. I was so disappointed when the yarn came (which I could purchase locally for $16--would never buy this color in a million years only if there was no other yarn on earth), but I really thought this was just the first yarn and then more would come as ...
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Unexpected Pumpkin Top October 1, 2012
lilacblooms
Bulky orange yarn, I was skeptical. More charitable than my husband, his comment was "A way to get rid of an ugly color!"
I had checked out the designer's designs before purchasing the KAL. I hoped for something with multiple cables before the yarn arrived. Afterwards, I decided, the pattern would be a cowl with some complexity to made it a Medium difficulty pattern. Upon opening the patten, I got my cable. But oh, a simple pattern, I was disappointed.
I have completed ...
Disappointed, Too October 1, 2012
HeleneG
Sadly, I, too, am disappointed with this month's KAL. The yarn choice was very poor and not at all what I expected in terms of weight and color. Since August's KAL was a hat, I did not expect that there would be another hat project so soon. I feel that I wasted my $30 and will not be making this project. This will be the last Craftsy KAL I will be purchasing.
Varick St Hat October 1, 2012
WhyLime
I like the color and I like the pattern. I fell short with the yardage needed though. The skein had a knot but even without that I would have been short. I had to remove 4 pattern rows.
The pattern includes a note about the appropriate place to remove 2 rows if necessary and not change the look of the hat. I did not anticipate having to remove 2 rows beyond that though.
This was a quick knit, but I didn't want to spend another two hours ripping back to adjust for ...
Color Selection Has Killed this KAL October 1, 2012
MarciaR
When I got the skein of bright orange yarn, I was taken aback, but thought it might be a cute October/Halloween project. But now that I've seen the pattern for the KAL, I can tell I'm not going to knit this pattern in this color yarn. I like most of Kristen's designs and this one is cute, but not one I would make or wear myself -- and certainly not in this color.
Disappointed. October 1, 2012
Missy828
I'm very disappointed for the price of the yarn plus shipping to get this as the project in not fun, and for 1 skein of yarn, in orange no less. wow.
If I do make the hat it will be in a different color and I will have to find another use for the overpriced yarn I have received for this KAL. I usually thought I got really good deals thru Craftsy but I will have to be very careful in the future.
Not enough yarn October 1, 2012
renewedmind
This hat is adorable, and a super fast knit. The yarn is amazing, but pretty disappointed that I wasn't given enough yarn to complete the project.
Disappointed October 1, 2012
Sandie Butler
Just received the pattern. I was VERY disappointed when the 1 skein of bulky yarn arrived, at a cost of over $30 with shipping. Felt I was being ripped off. But thought I would wait until pattern arrived. Not feeling any better!
I do not feel this was a good deal. Have purchased other KALs, spent a lot more, but felt I received a value
Will not join another Craftsy KAL.
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