Carom (plus giveaway)
I suspect you might already know this, but I have a thing for sets. I can’t help it. As soon as I finish a piece I start wondering ‘and what would happen if I just wiggled this little bit over here?’ Then all of a sudden there’s another variation on the needles. That’s totally what happened with Carom, and I’m so happy to have the pattern back out!
The first hat uses a bigger, lacier version of the stitch pattern. It’s lovely and swooshy and just a bit dramatic.
The second one uses a slightly smaller version of the stitch pattern. It’s a bit more understated and avoids anything that might hint at lace.
I’m showing a folded up brim on one version and no brim on the other, but of course you can go either way on either hat and it will look lovely.
And the crown of each looks absolutely smashing (there’s really no excuse for boring crowns…life is too short for that). 
You’ve totally got time to whip one of these out before cool weather really sets in. I used Chubbie by Vice Yarns (one of my absolute favorite yarns, if your LYS doesn’t carry it do yourself a favor and ask them to start). I’ve got a skein to give away (mine is in a beautiful mix of autumn colors that will make the most fabulous fall hat you can imagine). If you’d like a chance to win, just leave a comment telling me how you feel about having a few variations of a project in a pattern. The more the merrier? Or does it make it too hard to decide where to start? There’s no right or wrong answer, I just like to know what you like!
And while I can’t quite manage to send yarn to everyone, I can give everyone a discount. You can use the code VARIATIONS to get a dollar the price between now and Friday. Just put Carom in your ravelry cart, click on the ‘use a coupon code’ button, and type in the code VARIATIONS. You’ll see the change in price reflected right away.
Comments left between now and the end of the day (eastern time) Friday, September 23, 2016 will be entered to win. I’ll pick a winner, contact them to get their addresses, and arrange to send yarn their way. Be sure to use a real email address so I can contact you if you’ve won (I won’t do anything with those email addresses besides notify the winner). If I do email you, I need to hear back from you within 72 hours or I will pick a new winner and contact them. Sorry, but I can only ship physical prizes to US addresses.
Wow! I’m a new knitter and it is fascinating to see how these 2 variations compare. I studied the pictures carefully to really understand. Both are very pretty.
I love variations on a project. Last Christmas I made my dad a hat in a more masculine, no lacy effect and then turned around and made my own in the lacier version. Worked out perfectly for both of us (until my daughter stole my hat so she could match her Papaw).
I like variations on a theme, because often I see a pattern and think, what if I tweaked it like this? If the designer has created a variation, chances are it’ll be something interesting.
Beautiful hats, and such lovely yarn!
I love to see variations. It gets me thinking of possibilities and maybe, just maybe, inspires me (gives me permission?) to start thinking outside the box and try some of my own ideas.
What a beautiful pattern! Choices are always good, so having more options makes the pattern a good deal price wise — two for the price of one. The unlacy version reminds me of your recent mitts (name escapes me right now!) that I just knit and can’t wait until cold weather to wear.
Variations just mean more fun ?
I love having options…sometimes I have to resort to the “scientific” method of flipping a coin to choose, but that makes it fun too!
Wow those are beautiful! I agree….the two variations need knitting. I couldn’t stop at just one.
I loooove variations in a pattern, especially with hats. Awesome!
I like having options. Sometimes plan B turns out to be the better path!
Great ideas! I like that I don’t have to plan experiment with the theme too much and can make a his and her set without him trying to steal mine.
I love variations on a pattern. I also love that it is charted!
I am always a “more the merrier” type of person so I love the idea of variations.
I also think it is incredibly generous of the designer to offer variations in a pattern, when one could just as easily sell the tweaked version as an independent pattern. Good karma! 🙂
I love variations in a pattern. Can make similar but different projects for similar but different people. Plus, I enjoy charts.
I love variations on the one hand. I find it fascinating that such a small change to a pattern as a yarn over here or there can totally change the way it looks. But, on the other hand, I have a hard time choosing one over the other. I suspect that might be why God gave me twins, to be able to have both versions and love the coordinated but different!
Yes, having more variations makes me want to knit multiple items. I always appreciate the extra work that goes into providing more for the money.
Lovely!!
It is always great to have options. Though it will be hard to choose between these two hats. Both are lovely.
I love variations! I made my husband and daughter matching hats last fall, and then I did a similar one (cables, but beret rather than beanie) out of the same yarn for me.
I love the variation. I almost always knit a hat pattern more than once, but try to find a way to switch things up, at least a little. This variation is perfect!
I like both variations of this hat- so it does make it hard to choose. BUT it’s a happy dilemma and just means that I probably need to make one of each!
I like variations! And it makes patterns feel like a “deal” when I can customize to my own preferences. Thanks!
Variations, absolutely. They are great for his/hers gifts, or gifts to a pair of young siblings.
Love to see different versions. It sparks my creativity.
Options make everything better! It feels like a special bonus when you can make two different items from essentially the same pattern.