I normally knit and crochet items for women… I just prefer the patterns and color options I guess. I sometimes get a wee bit bored with manly items.
However…
Before Christmas, I wanted to make a hat for my man that he would actually wear and love… not one of those last-minute-rushing-here-you-go-and-then-it-doesn’t-fit-and-gets-stuffed-into-a-back-drawer kinda hat.
So I scoured for patterns and this one was approved by the man.
PATTERN: Hat Most Likely To Succeed by Alexandra Virgiel
YARN: I opted for my Aran weight superwash merino wool in colorway Charcoal (click here to see my current colorways.) I have said it before and I’ll say it again. I LOVE this yarn base. It’s fat, squishy, floofy, poofy, soft, bouncy and absolutely SO darn versatile… GREAT for baby items, next-to-skin wear, etc. Seriously. I love it. 1 skein almost did the trick, but I ended up needing 2 skeins.
NEEDLES: Just like the pattern called for, I used US Size 7 needles (4.5mm), circulars. Magic loop method. Google it if you’d like to learn… I LOVE IT and use it for all my in-the-round projects.
MODIFICATIONS: None
DIFFICULTY: Hmm. I’d say intermediate. Cables are not difficult, just time-consuming and bit awkward at first. But definitely doable! Even if you’re a beginner, I say give it a go. It took me about a week of knitting a few hours a day to complete.
Side note: Due to the needle size and all the cabling, I found my wrists hurt a bit if I knit on this for too long. So remember to take breaks and give those wristies a rest!
VERDICT: He LOVES IT! I was so relieved when at last, I cast off, the fella tried it on and voila… it fit perfectly! I was so tickled! He wears it all the time and it was SOOO worth the effort invested. Hurray! LOVE it when that happens.
I hope this inspires you to give cabling a try if you haven’t already! If you have, then keep up the good work, my friend. 😉
Have a fantastically delicious day and I’ll catch you next time…
XOXOXO
~Chandi
P.S. Let me know what you think in the comments below. Do you knit or crochet manly things or no?
Love that hat!
I mostly make girl things, but I have brothers so I have made some manly items as well. Hats and gloves mostly for the menfolk. I did make a sweatervest for a boyfriend once – I don’t know if I would do that again!
Did you wash and block this hat or is it straight off the needles?
Hi! I would love this pattern, but it’s discontinued. Any ideas?
Sorry, it’s not our pattern, so I am unsure of what happened. ❤️
Nice bit of eye candy and the hat is too cute and a great colour.
I love the hat and am so happy that your sweetheart loves it as well! I mostly knit manly sweaters, afghans, hats or scarves. They seem to be the method preferred. Either way, I get to work with YARN and that makes me happy!!!
I love the pattern and will make it this fall for my hubby.
Not anymore since he rarely wears the scarf I made him.
Love the hat :). The model is nice looking too ;).
I *HATE* to knit manly things.. mostly because my man is quite a big boy. A sweater in XXL? No thanks… my toddler, on the other hand, is quite delightful to knit for and appreciates everything!
Did you wash and block the hat or is it straight off the needles?
Heather, it didn’t really need blocking, so it’s just straight off the needles!
I made one of these for my dad and one for my husband:
http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/keyzpoof/137969212/20121220_2525_medium2.JPG
Both of them LOVE their hats!
great pattern!!! The yarn is yummy and looks fabulous on your man!!!! (very handsome!) =)
I’m using your video tutorials to learn to knit, and can’t believe that I am finally getting the hang of it. I have had to put my knitting lessons to the side for now though because I have a lot of crocheting to do. Usually I crochet girly stuff but hubby gets the occasional hat or scarf, and now I have a son in law to crochet for as well. As soon as I get my crochet list whittled down, I will be back to learning to knit, but it could be a while, I have a lot of labors of love on my list and I am enjoying every single one. I see some yarn purchases in my future because I really love that yarn and the color!!!
Looks the same color as his eyes and jacket. Melty smooth.
That could be a mans or womens hat. Many items could be either. Vest, or scarf, gloves…Simple is good. Though those cables look nice!
I do create manly things from time to time…they are usually the best AND least picky customers LOL Seriously, my guy loves my work and is a proud peacock strutting when he wears a hat or scarf I made. Guys are easy. Women? Not always 🙂
The first afghan I ever made I gave to my husband…it’s not particularly manly, but he loves it because it is my first creation. Just this past weekend, he asked me if I’d make him another one and if he could pick out the colors and what it will look like. Can I just say how attractive I thought it was to have him interested in me and my work? He always tells me how nice the things I make are, but to have him request it of me was humbling. 🙂
I came across your site to learn how to knit and be inspired. That is how I started crocheting and I figured what the hay why not start knitting. It is very different and difficult at first. Your videos helped I hope you make more :). You bring a more upbeat knitting style rather than old lady bore. Thank You.
Gorgeous! Lovely hat, too ( wink, wink)
Chandi-really nice hat! Yeah- I’ve made a few things for my husband-mostly hats and socks, but I even made him a sweater. This was no mean undertaking – he’s 6’5″. That’s a lot of knitting! I have to say – its important NOT to waver into anything too creative if your guy is a manly,man.. They won’t wear it. I really found the book “Knits MenWant” by Bruce Weinstein very helpful. Even if you never make any of the patterns in the book, the info on men’s psychology and the hand knit item was most instructive! (example- “Men are babies” and hate scratchy – who knew?). So…. By the way, Chandi, I’m your newest fan!! Love what you’re doing and how encouraging you are! Bless you!
I used to crochet a lot when I was younger, coats, jackets but mainly blankets to give away. I still have a few. Nowadays I seem to enjoy knitting. I love to continually experiment with colour and new ideas. Mostly mine! I love to modify a pattern and make it mine!
Great work! I love it in that gorgeous charcoal and looks like it fit him perfectly. I agree with cabling, it looks more intimidating than it really is, was a little awkward at first when I crocheted a pair of cabled wristers. I love crocheting gifts for my husband because he always wants me to make them in the funnest colors! He asked for a red, white and blue beanie, and he wears it all the time. 🙂 He often gets more compliments on homemade items when he wears them than I do, I suspect because his are more bright and noticeable as I like mine in subtler tones (plus he’s taller than me; we tease that he’s my walking billboard, lol!) 🙂
Where can I find this awesome pattern?
Hi I’ve looked on Raveley but i can’t find how to purchase this pattern. Could you direct me please? Thanks ?Claire Brown UK
Yes, here’s the direct link for you: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hat-most-likely-to-succeed
Thanks very much. I’ve got some lovely Malabrigo worsted I’ll use on this ? Claire xx
The yarn link doesn’t work. Where can I buy that type of yarn.
I’m knitting a whole lot more manly things these days. In Canada, we have this project going where every new refugee from Syria will get a hand knit hat — “because In Canada, the only enemy is the cold”. I thought there would be lots of people knitting for women and kids but there might be as much interest in knitting for the men, so that’s where I’ve concentrated my efforts.
How wonderful.
I love it. Will be making it for my man
Hi Chandi… first off LOVE your patterns and site!! I’ve been searching for a cable knit hat for my hubby that I’ve been wanting to make him and at the same time learn to cable knit. I spotted this one and so happy I did!! I can’t wait to try it out and I know he’ll love it, he’s my biggest fan,’ thank you for sharing this lovely pattern and have a blessed day. 🙂
I don’t know how to knit in the round….can I knit this hat on straight needles?
Sure you can. You have to reverse every other row and then seam it up! Have fun!
This pattern is no longer available for sale on ravelry but I really want to make this hat!
I second Claire! ^^ I just finished a scarf in this same design and I want to make my guy a matching hat: I’ve been searching and this is the ONLY one I can find that’s remotely close. I’m newer to knitting so maybe I’m missing something obvious but if anyone has any idea enlighten me!
Yes, I think this pattern has been discontinued on Ravelry. We do have this hat available: https://www.expressionfiberarts.com/products/man-approved.html Sorry I can’t be of more help.
I love yarn, it’s my passion. I’d love to start branching away from acrylic yarns all the time though. I knit, crochet and quilt. I especially love knitting. Been knitting and crocheting since around 1969 I love all of it.
Would anyone have the original pattern for this hat, and be wiling to provide a copy to me. Would love to knit this hat for my husband and my daughter and daughter in law.
I LOVE THIS HAT AND WOULD LIKE TO GET the free pattern to make it .. Somehow it is impossible to get the FREE PATTERN ..
HOW DO I GET IT free … I have plenty of yarn left from other projects.- I have 3 young men to knit for .. they would love this hat .. I knit in the round – have been knitting for many years .. Can you provide a FREE, DOWNLOADABLE, PRINTABLE COPY OF THE PATTERN?
Thank you!
You can find the pattern here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hat-most-likely-to-succeed