I'm actually abit disappointed by the lower quality of knitted wool hats that I see. And I live in a city with very cold, long and hard winters with ice and snow. Some just fugly lumpy acrylic toques or hats that look warm, but it's not wool, it's a synthetic (acrylic, polyester blend) which the wind will blow through.

I haven't paid attention over the years on knitted wool hats until this year. I've been so happy with my thick, finely knitted wool hat with some nylon (5%), abit of silk even in the wool..covers my ears, looks good on me, doesn't have side ear dangling straps (you know those Nepalanese/Tibetean copy cat styles) which would drive me nuts, etc. Have worn it every winter for past 15 years or longer.

A knitted wool hat for me must breathe when I sweat snowshoeing up in the mountains but must keep my head, ears warm when I'm out snowhoeing in wilderness areas for 3-4 hrs. @-28 degrees C which sometimes (regrettably not all the time when we vacation) can shoot up to -15 degrees C in a few hrs.

(More frivolous criteria for me: It must in a lighter colour or clear bright colours for me.... I am NOT wearing a black, navy blue, brown or dark grey hat....I have black hair and drains the colour out of my face with sallow skin tone. Wearing a black hat actually depresses me in the winter when it's grey and miserable...and our winters are loonnggg. This is why I have a tendency to choose lighter /brighter, jewel colours for winter outwear worn close to my face. No muddy colours for me.)

Maybe the answer is to buy a handcraft knitted hat at one of the artsy-craft fairs around this time of year.. which I've never bought any handcrafted knitted wear yet.