Ripple Hat Pattern Review

I thought this pattern would go well.  The instructions are pretty clear and since it's worked flat and sewn up, it was pretty easy to do the actual crochet part.   Things are not always as easy as they look though.

​First, here's the yarn I used; Deborah Norville Everyday and some vintage Columbia Minerva.  Both are 100% acrylic but the Everyday yarn is much softer.   I don't think this played a roll in how these hats turned out.

This pattern says to use a size H hook for the hat and it tells you how to change colors which is nice for anyone who might be new to crochet.  This is crocheted from the brim up.

Directions start out with chain 72 to measure approximately 17 inches.   I used the H hook, chained 72 and measured.  It was more than 17 inches so I dropped the hook size down to a G.   This time I got 17 inches with 72 chain stitches.  Gauge achieved!  

You start out with a few rows of single crochet for the brim and then use higher stitches to start the ripple portion.   The directions were pretty well written.  Once I had the flat piece ready to sew up I knew that the gauge was either off or the woman in the photo was much smaller than she appeared.
Here's the magazine photo next to what I got with a G hook that I thought matched their gauge.

Maybe there was a typo in the gauge so I did another hat with the recommended hook and totally ignored their directions that 72 chains would be 17 inches.

This looks better but it still barely covers my ears and I even did an extra row because it still looked small after I finished the rows in the pattern.   Did people have smaller heads in 1981? 

If you have this pattern I'd suggest going up another hook size and possibly adding additional rows if you want something that covers your ears.

I'll give this pattern 3.5 out of 5 stars. It's fine, not great.  Ignore the gauge and trust your instincts on this one.  

​Next week, I'll review the popcorn stitch hat pattern where I will ask again, "Did people have smaller heads back in the 70s and 80s?"