Love Street

Love Street Slouchy Beanie by Koru Designs Aotearoa

What is Being Made

Love Street is a slightly slouchy beanie hat designed by Paula Henley for Koru Designs Aotearoa. This knitted hat draws inspiration from the bohemian and hippie fashion aesthetic of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The design is named after the iconic song "Love Street" by The Doors, referencing the Laurel Canyon, California address where band member Jim Morrison lived with his girlfriend Pamela Courson. The hat's slouchy silhouette captures the relaxed, vintage spirit of that era while remaining a contemporary, wearable accessory.

Yarn and Materials

Love Street can be knitted using either 4ply or DK weight yarn, offering flexibility based on personal preference and desired drape. The pattern recommends Koru Designs Kauri DK or Koru Designs Rata sock yarn, with 100 grams or less required for all sizes. This makes Love Street an economical project suitable for stash-busting or quick gifting.

Sizing Options

The pattern provides multiple size options to accommodate different head circumferences:

• 4ply weight: 50cm, 53cm, 56cm, and 60cm
• DK weight: 46cm, 50cm, 53cm, 57cm, and 60cm

Equipment and Needles

Love Street requires specific needle sizes depending on the yarn weight chosen:

• 4ply version: 2.50mm, 2.75mm, and 3.75mm needles
• DK version: 3.25mm, 3.50mm, and 4.50mm needles

Additional equipment includes 40cm circular needles, double-pointed needles (DPNs), or the Magic Loop method for working in the round. Knitters will also need a crochet hook of appropriate size, one stitch marker, a darning needle for weaving in ends, and a balloon for blocking the finished hat. The balloon blocking method is a creative finishing technique that helps shape and set the slouchy silhouette.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

Love Street is classified as an intermediate level knitting project, making it accessible to knitters with some foundational experience. The pattern is described as quick and easy to knit, despite its intermediate rating, suggesting that while it may incorporate some intermediate techniques, the overall construction moves efficiently.

The hat is worked in the round using circular needles or DPNs, a standard technique for constructing seamless, tubular garments like beanies. The inclusion of a crochet hook in the equipment list suggests the pattern may incorporate crochet finishing details, such as edging or surface embellishment, adding textural interest to the slouchy silhouette. The use of a balloon for blocking is a specialized finishing method that shapes the crown and establishes the hat's characteristic slouch, ensuring proper drape and fit.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, Love Street suits knitters who have mastered basic techniques such as casting on, knit and purl stitches, and working in the round. While the pattern is quick to complete, the intermediate classification likely reflects the inclusion of shaping techniques, stitch variations, or finishing methods that require some experience to execute successfully.