It is hard to believe that our Taki turned 30 on August 8. It is especially hard to believe when I consider we cannot get him to not make a silly face in a photograph. Of course, his new birthday hat is a bit different, too, so it really is not out of place to pull a face when modeling it. The knit was a labor of love, and that made the challenging aspects worth the effort. I think it is quite a spectacular hat, and I hope his sister does not think it is so fabulous that she needs one too.
The pattern is Samurai Kabuto from Folk Hats, and it is the original reason I bought the book. It took a few years before I felt like tackling the challenge, and Taki's 30th birthday seemed like the perfect occasion. It was knit either this hat or a thirty-piece mochimochi sushi refrigerator magnet set. Maybe that will be his Christmas present. That way, I do not need to knit thirty of them. Anyway, the hat even goes with the theme of one of the rooms in his house, and recently, he has had more interest in researching his samurai ancestry.
The pattern really is quite well written, and if you combine following the directions with patience and determination, the hat is totally doable. I suppose that goes for just about any knitting. Well, except for the good pattern part. We have all encountered those that were not. /ahem Knitting this took a lot out of me during a time when many people needed a lot from me. In fact, I was sewing a few last details in the car on our way to the party. However, I think it turned out great, he likes it, and he is very much worth it.
