Hi Knitters, I've had another design pop up last week in a newly published book. It is one of my most favorite designs I have done. About a year ago I sent off this hat to Interweave for Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre's new book, Weekend Hats. I am going to review the entire book coming up soon (as soon as I get a copy) but I wanted to first quickly share the hat I made for the collection. The hat is worked from the top-down. The yarn is Blue Sky Alpacas Suri Merino. It is a drapey, decadent and romantic yarn. I absolutely fell in love with Suri Merino while making the hat. On one side of the hat you add more increases to get that extra fabric. Then just before the ribbing for the brim you make 3 pleats on the side of the hat that has the extra stitches. The pleating is a slick technique that I came up with as I worked. I am very pleased with the outcome. The hat is actually pleated and not ruched so the name of the hat is a little misleading. Click here for the Ravelry project page for my Ruche Beret! Click here to see all of the projects in Weekend Hats! Click here for the Amazon link for the book! Click here to see the BSA Suri Merino yarn and colorways! I made the hat sample for the book in the Harvest colorway and it only takes one hank of yarn. It is the perfect quick gift for the fall and winter seasons ahead. The Ruche Beret is knit at 5 stitches per inch on the dk weight yarn. This makes the drape in the fabric even better. The Ruche Beret is also truly a weekend project. You can start one day and finish the next! It's a fast one. I have two more hanks of the Suri Merino in the colorways Earth and Seamist. I am planning on two more Ruche Berets this season. One for me and one for a gift. I'll be back soon. best, susie p.s. Don't forget that I am speaking and signing books at the Madison Knitters Guild next Monday, Oct. 10th, 2011! Please come if you are in the area, the meeting starts at 6:30pm and the guild meets at a new location. I would love to see you there if you are able.