I know one of these just came up in the context of last week’s Our Tools, Ourselves interview, but I want to get it into New Favorites (which I literally reference when looking for knitting projects) and these sorts of confluences are what tend to lead me to such posts. So—
When I was going through all of my favorited shawl patterns in putting together the most recent New Favorites installment, I ran across Julie Hoover’s Walsh (top), which I had saved as a shawl pattern because it’s literally a little triangle that would also look great scaled up to shawl proportions, and even at pattern scale might double as a neck kerchief like the one I made my mom long ago and still want for myself. But when I saw it again that day, my reaction was “a head kerchief is such a good idea.” And a matter of days later, along came Denise Bayon’s Hatdana (bottom)! Now I find myself wanting to knit one of each — and why not, when they’re perfect little portable warm-weather projects.
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PREVIOUSLY in New Favorites: Blankety shawl patterns
the idea of a head kerchief is new to me, and i like the idea, the patterns are both a bit pricy for such little things, well, one is pricy, the other one is part of a collection, a pity that i can not buy it seperately.
They’re both available individually — each one has a download link on the Ravelry listing.
As someone who wears a lot of kerchiefs in the summer, these are right up my alley. I added the Hatdana to my favourites on Ravelry after seeing it here. It’s a nice change from the “simple” hat.
Interesting, although not a look I aspire to or something I would knit; they look outmoded to my eye. I am not even entirely sure of the purpose of a head kerchief. Is it to protect from the elements, like a hat, in which case are they needed in summer? Do they have a religious or cultural significance which is escaping me? Or are they simply to keep your hair out of the way? (I have a crew-cut for that purpose.)
Pamela – crew-cut for me too. I kind of like it when Karen features something I don’t want to knit. It helps keep my want-to-knit list manageable.
It’s just another option for how to cover your head/ears. Some people like beanies, some like berets, others bucket hats, etc. I don’t have a good head for hats, so this appeals to me. Denise notes that her hair makes hats not an option for her, whereas she looks amazing in her Hatdana.
Thanks for clarifying that, Karen, it’s very helpful to put it in context. I can think of these as the knitted equivalent of the traditional silk head square – I own a few and they are gloriously decorative but I never wear them. I’m berets almost all the way as a protection against the rain, but I will pull on a thicker hat to cover my ears in extreme weather – I used to have a lovely sheepskin hat that was great for waiting at bus stops in the winter. I’ve always adored wearing hats and would happily go back to my grandma’s day and wear them as a matter of course if I could. My mum preferred a head square and perhaps it is a case of the style needing to skip a generation, but then my favourite photo of my dad is him in his army beret so that theory doesn’t quite hold up. Thank-you for providing food for thought, as always.
I always think these look so pretty on others, but I’ve never had any luck with them. Something about my head shape (or maybe it’s my hair texture?) makes them slide right off! The only way I can keep a kerchief on is with pins (uncomfortable, lacks bohemian insouciance) or to tie it under my chin (further into granny fashion than I can bring myself to go! 🙃).
I head cover daily and hair pins are totally “legal”. Ears covered or not as well, your choice.
I like the idea of the Hatdana. The ribbing looks like it’d keep it snug around your ears for warmth…for someone with lots of hair like myself, it’s nice to not think of making a big ol’ beanie to fit it into but still cover ears and top of head. I’d like to try it in the fall.
I love these. I never would have thought of something like this, it is so refreshing to see a new idea. I really want to make the Hatdana.
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