The Fire Whirl Hat For Interweave Crochet!

Photo by Harper Point

I hadn't designed a hat for a long time, and when Interweave put out a call for submissions for the Winter issue, I felt it was the perfect time to create one! I did a lot of experimenting with hook placement and stitch height to get the grey sections to stand up like steps. This hat is simple to crochet, and will keep you interested with the changes in hook placement. I originally named it the "Concentric Hat", because of the way I blocked it. I made it collapse flat into neat concentric circles, then I sprayed it with water and made sure to accentuate the steps so they would have more of a pronounced shape when they were dry.

I like the way the hat can look different if it is pulled down, letting the steps flatten out, or if you wear it pulled down and off to the side, you get steps on just the top. The way the magazine described the hat, really fits it perfectly: "This architectural crochet hat can be playful or elegant at your whim". I think it is more playful when it is worn loosely with all 3 of the grey sections acting as steps. It isn't every day you see a crocheted hat with a flat top! When I was designing the hat, I was inspired by the top step. It reminded me of a little straw hat in my collection of vintage hats. I liked the step so much, I decided to carry the theme through the rest of the hat. I think it has a more elegant look when it is pulled down a little and worn off to one side a little, as I styled the original submission sample.

I really appreciated professional photographers and models when I tried to model the hat myself, and direct my husband as to the exact angle I wanted the shot. It took two photo sessions to get an angle I was happy with. I tried photographing the hat on my head form, but hats just look better on a real head!

I considered having a delicate motif at the top, but I wanted the focus to be on the steps. I am very glad that I didn't, because Interweave decided to have it sized to fit men, women, and children. This streamlined version works for all three!

This pattern is now available for download from the Interweave Store for $5.50.

Photo by Harper Point

Photo by Harper Point

Photo by Harper Point

Original submission photo, shown worn at an angle, in a neutral color combination.