100 HATS to Knit and Crochet
Jean Leinhauser & Rita Weis
Sterling Publishing

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Instructive Read … Recommended … 4 stars

Needlework enthusiasts Jean Leinhauser & Rita Weis have more than twenty five years experience creating distinctive needlework projects. The 100 designs offered in this edition include patterns requiring beginner to more advanced knit or crochet prowess. The patterns include those for men, women, adults, children and babies as well as some for each season of the year. There are stylish hats, functional hats and just plain meant for fun hats.

Materials used range from common crochet thread available at the local Wal Mart as well as more specialty shop type yarns. Not truly hats; however the book even includes a crocheted tennis visor along with a Russian influenced knitted winter hat and muff set, a crocheted Yarmulke, and an ear warmer with straps over the head.

Intricate Geometric designs, lace crochet, cables and simple single crochet are all included among the patterns. I particularly like to knit designs having either geometric patterns, or cables. The ANDEAN ADVENTURER with its complete head cover and rows of Andean girls interspersed with bars of color and geometric hearts is an intriguing pattern I intend to make up for winter. Pattern for this particular piece covers 3 pages, lists materials used to make the one shown in the photo, thread and needles, offers step by step directions presented in clear, easily understood terms for the brave beginner to knitting or for the more advanced-moderate talent knitter. On the third page of the pattern is a nice diagram for the patterning designs of girls, bars and the like. The design is large enough for aging eyes to see without resorting to magnifying glass.

The geometric patterning offered in the LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON design is a common pattern easily achieved by the moderate ability knitter and the ready to take on the next step beginner. Dad’s hat is standard winter type while the child’s hat includes ear flaps suited to cold winter days out in the snow. Again the design is presented with a nice photo of the finished product, list of materials needed, instructions for knitting both hats, diagrams that are large enough and clearly seen without magnifying glass, and instructions for finishing the piece once it is knitted. This design comprises 2 separate hats and covers 4 pages.

From a High Roller to Beret to Skull Cap to a Bonnet with ties HATS to Knit and Crochet offers the reader a wide variety of chapeau.

Each pattern is set down with a color photo of the finished product, I like that, as both a knitter and crocheter who can understand both knitting and crochet terms I do like to see the item as well. For the crafter who has learned to knit or crochet by only looking at the picture and then figuring out how to accomplish the work, and there are some even in this advanced world in which we live today, the photos offer enough detail to allow success without being able to read the directions.

About 1/3 of the designs offered are knitted, ¼ are meant for children, and only 4 of the hundred are for men, and that includes the ear warmer and the yarmulke. As with every pattern book there are designs that will have more appeal to one needle worker than another, on the other hand I have yet to find a needle enthusiast who buys any pattern sheet or book having more than 1 pattern and loves them all.

I personally like all the knit patterns. I don’t keep all the books I am sent for review I will be keeping this one and knitting from it this winter.

Happy to recommend for needle work enthusiasts, homemaking teachers, boutiques specializing in needle arts as well as home and public library shelves.