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The techniques used are many and varied and there are good illustrations of the techniques used in the glossary at the back. These should help even less experienced knitters make most of the patterns in the book. Some hats look more practical than others. The gourd baby bonnet (Nigeria) may need to be lengthened to stay on a small child's head. It is difficult to imagine wearing the knitted version of the samurai kabuto—or, indeed, the original. There is a typical Scots glengarry, an amazing weathervane-shaped 'four winds' hat from Lapland and a Bolivian derby (but not the more common Peruvian chullo). And yes, there is a baseball cap in the book; it is one of the designs representing the United States (along with a felted cowboy hat). The colours of the cap could easily be changed to suit any Aussie Rules football team. That is probably a clue to how best to use this book: as a source of inspiration, since many of the yarns used would be difficult, if not impossible, to obtain in Australia. The knitter will need to find substitutes and use imagination—but the results will be eye-catching. —Kathryn Gunn |
When Australians think of a hat perhaps it is of the sensible item that keeps the sun off the head in summer, the ubiquitous baseball cap worn backwards, or the wild creations that appear on Melbourne Cup Day. That perception may change with this book. The 32 patterns within are definitely outside the square!