Say hello to Nethere, the next Cuboidal Hat

This is the third post introducing my new Cuboidal collection. Nethere is a bonnet with a difference!

This bonnet style introduces a few new things to Cuboidal collection, the first being staggered or offset squares.

Remember in my previous post where I said that each design used a particular square style to show what could be achieved? Nethere does just that - if it were knit with a different mitre square style the effect would be very different.

The next thing this pattern introduces is a split Hat, split at the brim or in the body, but either way it doesn’t go all the way around. And that makes a difference to the Hat’s structure and how it can be worn.

Because of this split, negative ease plays out slightly differently, too. With a style like this I’d aim for slightly less negative ease if you’re not sure, rather than more. The beret or even the beanie can handle more, but this one won’t want to be pushed - or over-stretched - in the same way.

Nethere also introduces the concept of the border. It’s not been apparent with the previous Hats - Bedrock, the beret, doesn’t have a border at all and Portal, the beanie has a very thin and subtle one. With This bonnet the border becomes a must.

Because the Hat isn’t a complete cylinder there will be different edges of the squares visible in different places. So to finish it all off and continue that brick-like effect, a border is worked on the edges that are left open, or borderless. The pattern will walk you through how to do it, where to pick up the stitches and how to work the corners. And each square style has a unique border pattern, to ensure any stripe or colourwork pattern is continuous. It’s really rather clever, if I may say so myself!

And the final fun new thing? The bonnet doesn’t have to be a bonnet. Turn it around a full 180 degrees and it becomes a helmet. Yup, it can totally be worn this way - it’ll sit comfortably, keep your ears warm and frame your face in a way no-one expects.

Fun, huh?

What do you think of ‘Nethere’? Which way would you wear it?

About the Cuboidal collection…

As with all of the patterns in this collection, the sample is shown in Malabrigo Arroyo. I find it gives me a nice firm squishy fabric on 2.75mm or 3mm needles, at a gauge of 28 sts to 10cm/4in, which is perfect for garter stitch. You don’t want a loose fabric with these Hats as they’ll stretch, and a firmer gauge ensures the Hat lasts longer before stretching out.

The whole collection is pretty much an any yarn, any size collection! I provide tables covering 8 gauges across 12 sizes, but armed with a gauge swatch and a bit of maths, you can achieve beyond the range provide - the construction of the Hat is the same regardless of the size you’re making or the gauge of your yarn. And the eBook will also include a chapter on head measuring and calculating yardage!

And in case anyone asks, this collection won’t be split into individual patterns. I talk about it more in length on this blog post, but in short the patterns are tutorial heavy and splitting them out just doesn’t work.

The collection will be $23/€19/£17 when published - September 2022 - and members of The Woolly Hat Society will get an exclusive new release discount!

Follow along with the #CuboidalHats tag on Instagram and learn more via the Cuboidal blog category.