I Knit a Replica of the J.K. Simmons’ Red One Santa Hat
Maker Elf on a Shelf!
For a jolt of Monday morning energy, I took on a fun and festive project: knitting a replica of the Santa hat from the new movie Red One. We watched the Dwyane Johnson-starred flick over the weekend. After Santa Claus – Code Name: RED ONE – is kidnapped, the North Pole's Head of Security (Dwayne Johnson) must team up with the world’s most infamous bounty hunter (Chris Evans) in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas.
Inspired by J.K. Simmons' cool portrayal of Santa, Mr. Purl was determined to channel that same holiday spirit. Naturally, I was up for the challenge, Icombining two of my favorite things: Christmas cheer and knitting, with a side of J.K. Simmons!
Reflecting on J.K. Simmons as Santa, I fascinated by his ability to bring so many characters to life - Dr. Emil Skoda in Law & Order, but also the hilarious roles in movies like Juno and Spider-Man. I’m still shaking in my boots over his portrayal of Vernon Schillinger in Oz. That’s a lot a depth to bring to Santa’s jolly. Maybe that’s why he “rocking” with a head of security, played by Dwayne Johnson.
For this project, I used the Rustic Red One Hat pattern by Jessica Spiegel, which you can find here on Ravelry. The free pattern is not only easy to follow but also comes with a charming backstory that adds to the festive fun. I cast on the brim of the hat on Sunday night, and by Monday morning, I was knitting away with my morning coffee. By noon, the hat was complete! Yes, you read that right—I finished knitting the entire hat in just a few hours. Talk about a productive morning! Go Miss Purl!
Now, let's talk yarn. For the cream part of the hat and the pom-pom, I used Cestari yarn. If you haven't tried Cestari yarn yet, you're in for a treat. This yarn is known for its softness and durability, making it perfect for cozy winter accessories. The heather color of the yarn adds a rustic, vintage look to the hat, which I absolutely love. It gives the hat that authentic, old-world charm that makes it stand out. This was exactly what I was looking for, which is why I chose Cestari's natural light grey for the hat trim and pom-pom.
Cestari Sheep & Wool Company is a small, family-owned and operated business based in Virginia. They raise their own sheep and use a unique scouring process that retains the natural lanolin in the wool, giving it a wonderful bounce and texture. This process also preserves the natural feel of the wool, which adds to the rustic charm.
Although the pattern is straightforward, beginners might find it a bit challenging because it requires reading stitches (knowing the difference between knit and purl stitches). As a quick reminder:
Knit Stitch: The knit stitch creates a smooth, "V" shaped pattern on the fabric's right side. When looking at the stitch on the needle, it appears as a loop with the yarn coming out from the back.
Purl Stitch: The purl stitch creates a bump or ridge on the fabric's right side. On the needle, it looks like a loop with the yarn coming out from the front.
Mr. Purl was thrilled with the finished product. He put on the hat and instantly felt as cool as J.K. Simmons playing Santa. Seeing his excitement made all the effort worthwhile. And so did watching our son instantly claim it and sport it to school There's something magical about creating handmade gifts, especially when they bring so much joy (and karma) to the people you love.
If you're looking for a quick and satisfying hat to rock to your holiday gathering or out shopping, I highly recommend knitting the Rustic Red One Hat. It's a fun way to get into the holiday spirit and create something special for your loved ones. I have a few skeins left of Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted in Pomegrante Heather and Cestari Traditional in Natural Light Grey.
Happy knitting, and may your holidays be filled with warmth and creativity! This is what I call movie knitting! Mwah!
