Since it is winter here in New Zealand I thought that I needed a hat to keep warm on the freezing cold mornings. I have liked the Winter Trails hat by Alana Dakos (Never Not Knitting) for a long time but have been a bit afraid of all the cables. I knew if I took it 1 stitch at a time I would be able to make it but I doubted it would look any good. I just didn’t think my knitting skills were good enough.
I am really pleased with how it turned out. I was quite worried that I would make such a mess of it that I would not wear it but I have worn it a lot.
The yarn is a 70% wool and 30% soybean protein blend from Panda Yarns. Don’t ask me what the soybean protein does because I have no idea (if anyone knows please leave a comment). All I can say is that it is very warm but not too hot and very soft.
It too me about 10 days to knit it but I couldn’t do too many row each day because my hands really started to hurt. But the pain was worth it! I can’t recommend this pattern enough.
Rasta Stitches 
Julie
July 26, 2013 at 9:54 pm
I do like how your hat turned out. I am inviting you to share this with Show Your Stuff:
http://www.treasuresmadefromyarn.com/2013/07/show-your-stuff.html
rastastitches
July 27, 2013 at 11:48 am
Thank you. I have just linked up with your blog. Thanks for the invite.
Regula
July 26, 2013 at 10:06 pm
It’s a lovely pattern and a lovely yarn. Although I cannot imagine to wear a hat, it’s summer and hot. 😉
rastastitches
July 27, 2013 at 11:49 am
Thanks, I would much prefer it to be summer instead of removing the frost of the car in the morning!
thesoaringsheep
July 26, 2013 at 10:59 pm
What a lovely hat 🙂 I remember putting off cables for ages but they’re not actually that hard. Same with lace knitting too actually!
rastastitches
July 27, 2013 at 11:51 am
Thanks, I have done cables before but nothing like this with something every round. Lace is the next thing I want to try but the problem is I am not a fan of wearing lace items so I haven’t started anything yet.
Christina - a Babys Smile Knits
July 26, 2013 at 11:52 pm
Beautiful hat, I am a big fan of Alana and was going to knit one of her patterns for my own winter hat. Your cables turned out great!!
rastastitches
July 27, 2013 at 11:54 am
Thank you. Her patterns are wonderful aren’t they, any of her hat patterns would make a great winter hat
kathleen
July 27, 2013 at 12:14 am
Great job on the cables. I think they mix soybean fiber (and other fibers) in with wool to bring the cost down:) Soybeans are cheaper than fleeces, and a lot easier to harvest:) I’ve also seen yarn made of milk protein–probably for vegetarians, but not vegans:)
rastastitches
July 27, 2013 at 11:58 am
Ahh that would explain it. I can’t complain about the addition of the soybean in this blend because it is holding up better than some more expensive yarn I used for a scarf!
Verónica
July 27, 2013 at 6:56 am
Love it! I may have to knit one.
rastastitches
July 27, 2013 at 12:01 pm
Yes, do make one for yourself. I doubt you will regret once you are finished, it really is a very comfortable hat to wear. AND an easy pattern to follow, I used the chart in the pattern and used colouring pencils to colour in each stitch so it would be easier to follow. It was the first time I have used a chart and still managed to get it done!
Amy Clark
July 28, 2013 at 1:29 am
A beautiful hat. You’ve hit on one of the things that I love about fiber crafts the most you only need to worry about one stitch at a time, sometimes the big picture is overwhelming but if you can such keep working one stitch at a time you will finish the project and it will be lovely just like your hat.
rastastitches
July 28, 2013 at 10:38 pm
Thank you. I find with many things that if you take one step (or stitch) at a time you will get there in the end.