Read other entries in this series here as they are available.

Pattern name: Diamond Cable Aviator Hat (from Vogue Knitting’s Ultimate Hat Book or the Winter 2010/11 issue)

Designer: Deborah Newton

Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Worsted in Sugar Plum (current closest shade is Haze Heather)

My Favorite Thing about This Hat: I have actually knit this hat twice – both as gift knits. The hat pictured was a gift knit for my sister in law, who has the exact opposite problem I have in that her head is smaller than the average adult woman (she often has to buy kids’ hats in the store). This pattern is really easy to modify, so I was easily able to remove one repeat from the pattern both in circumference and one less repeat before the decreases in the crown.  I did knit the front and back flaps for her as well but she opted to take them off.

The previous gift knit (which was knit in a dark green Knit Picks Wool of the Andes), was for a friend who was working as a gardner, and she *did* enjoy the front and back flaps and the extra protection from the wind. Unfortunately that was pre-smart phones and I never got a good photo of it, so here’s a photo from my copy of the magazine.

What I’d Change about This Hat: Honestly, nothing!  It’s a very flexible pattern that’s pretty easy to modify and the textured stitches look great.

Would I Knit it Again? I think any pattern I’ve already knit twice has a good chance of being knit a third time.

This Week’s Charity:

Our focus expands to address displaced populations around the world this week. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is on the ground in over 70 countries—providing urgently needed humanitarian aid in moments of crisis and conflict. Funds raised through donations allow them to be able to respond quickly to crises all over the world. You can make donations to their efforts here.

MSF’s search and rescue ship, Geo Barents, has rescued nearly 10,000 refugees attempting to make dangerous ocean crossings (largely across the Mediterranean) while fleeing violence in their home countries. You can read the stories of some of the people they have rescued here.