Star Wars - R2-D2 Hat

Star Wars: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi...I love these movies. Who doesn't like (some part of) Star Wars? I have since my childhood. I watched Star Wars for the first time at my aunt and uncle's house. I was sad when the movie was over and I had to go home. I wanted to watch more Star Wars! She let me borrow the other two episodes. After watching all three, I borrowed The Empire Strikes Back again and again and again.....after all it is my favorite. Then there are the new episodes: The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith. I did see these movies and enjoyed (parts of) them, but I enjoy the original trilogy best.

R2-D2 Hat Finished!

A few month back Sonny found a picture of a R2-D2 hat and sweater for sale online. He showed me the picture and jokingly requested that I knit him these items. I was thinking, "Are you CRAZY?!" I laughed it off and joked right back saying, "Sure, I'll get right on it....." Well I did some digging online knowing I could attempt the hat...I'm not quite ready for sweaters. I found a pattern on another bloger's blog that was simple and I could make it in time for Sonny's birthday. My pattern research began in late November and knew I wouldn't have time to get it done for Christmas with everything else going on. His birthday, which is soon after Christmas, was a better goal. It didn't take long to make this hat...of course nothing was getting in the way of me and my knitting. I was off from school and didn't have to work. It was just me, my needles and the time to knit...it was nice and relaxing. (I can't wait for spring break! More knitting and relaxing!)

Sonny modeling his hat.

I learned two things from this pattern:

1) How to do a duplicate stitch.

Duplicate stitching is very simple, so don't get overwhelmed if you want to try this pattern. The Internet is wonderful resource, especially when I'm trying to learn something new and a seasoned knitter isn't around to help my knitting knowledge expand. The website I linked above was very helpful. The duplicate stitch is pretty cool. It will come in handy for a few ideas I have for future knitting projects.

2) I should try using circular needles.

After I finished the hat for Sonny I realized that the double point needles left a seam where I switched needles. I really like using double points, but I didn't like the look of the seam. With circular needles, I was always afraid of tangling the wire and having to start over again...not a big problem, but a minor and annoying set back. So I bought a pair of circular needles needed for the project and made another hat. No seams this time!

Let's talk yarn materials. I purchased Vanna's Choice Yarn by Lion Brand Yarn. I purchased 1 ball each of Silver Gray, Colonial Blue, Black, and Cranberry. If you have red and black already in your stash of scrap yarn and it's the same weight I suggest using that yarn instead of buying more of a color you're not going to use very much of those colors. *Side Note* One ball of the gray yarn will easily make two hats with some leftover and one ball of blue yarn will last for three hats.

I keep making this hat. First I made it for Sonny as a birthday present. Then I knitted another hat as a birthday present for my good friend. (She is a HUGE Star Wars fanatic...I like Stars Wars and so does Sonny....but she LOVES Star Wars). And I just finished a third for another birthday present. I'm glad I enjoy knitting this pattern! Fellow knitters, I hope you try this pattern for the Star Wars lover in your life....I know you have at least one!