Thursday, September 28, 2017

Nikki's Slouch Hat

Nikki's Slouch Hat
Nikki's Slouch Hat
pictured in size Adult Small/Medium

Here's another pretty hat with a simple story: my friend Nikki was struggling to find a nice slouch hat here in Switzerland. Meanwhile, I had just bought some lovely yarns at my local store knowing that they would be *perfect* for something. And what do you know, a few conversations and copious swatching later, Nikki's Slouch Hat was born! With a combination of cabled panels (for squish) and simple striping (for ease), this hat has texture and charm galore!!!

Sizes: Adult Small/Medium (Adult Medium/Large)

Yarn: Lana Grossa Landlust Merino 120 (100% Virgin Wool; 131 yards [120 meters]/50 grams); #105 Taupe - one skein (two skeins) (color A), & #116 Petrol - one skein (both sizes) (color B) (side note: I didn't have a full 10% of my color A skein left over when I finished this hat, so I suppose it's possible that you'll need two skeins to finish the small size too. If you get in that situation, however, I suggest you fudge it and finish with color B, especially if you're gonna add a pompom!)

Nikki's Slouch Hat
A look at the back.
Needles: One 16" circular needle in size US 10.5, one 16" circular needle in size US 11, one set of double pointed needles (dpns), also in size US 11, and one cable needle (cn) or extra dpn for cabling (or cable without a cable needle, if you like!)

Notions: tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 14 stitches = 4 inches on size US 11 needles

So let's make a hat! Using your size US 10.5 needle and your color A yarn, then, cast on 76 stitches (80 stitches) loosely, place marker, and join in round. Then we'll work in a basic ribbing, as follows:

Ribbing Row: using color A, * k1, p1; rep from *

Knit this ribbing row until ribbing measures roughly 2" (2.5"-3"), and then transfer work to your size US 11 circular needle. Then, we'll work the following transition row. Notice the row is different for the two different sizes.

Transition Row (size Adult Small/Medium): using color A, * (k6, make 1) twice, k7, m1; rep from * (+12 stitches - 88 total)

Transition Row (size Adult Medium/Large): using color A, * k5, make 1 (m1); rep from * (+16 stitches - 96 total)

Complete this transition row, and then we'll work as follows. You'll need the following notation to continue:

fc (front cross): transfer 2 stitches to your cn and hold in front; k2, k2 from cn

bc (back cross): transfer 2 stitches to your cn and hold in back; k2, k2 from cn

Rows 1 - 2: using color A, knit

Row 3: using color A, * bc, fc *

Rows 4 - 6: using color A, knit

Row 7: using color A, * fc, bc *

Row 8: using color A, knit

Rows 9 - 12: using color B, knit

Row 13: using color A, knit

Rows 14 - 17: using color B, knit

Row 18: using color A, knit

Knit rows 1 - 18 once and then knit rows 1 - 16 again (both sizes, although you can go an extra repeat if you have tons of yarn and want a crazy big hat!). Then we'll begin the decrease, as follows:

Decrease Row 1: using color B, * k2, ssk, k2tog, k2; rep from * (66 stitches [72 stitches]) (you can also clip your color B yarn tail now; you're done with it)

Decrease Row 2: using color A, knit

You're going to want to transfer your work to your dpns about now...

Decrease Row 3: using color A, * k1, ssk, k2tog, k1 * (44 stitches [48 stitches])

Decrease Row 4: using color A, knit

Decrease Row 5: using color A, * slip next stitch to cn and hold in back; k1, k1 from cn; then, slip next stitch to cn and hold in front; k1, k1 from cn *

Decrease Rows 6 - 8: using color A, knit

Decrease Row 9: using color A, * slip next stitch to cn and hold in front; k1, k1 from cn; then, slip next stitch to cn and hold in back; k1, k1 from cn *

Decrease Row 10: using color A, * k2tog * (22 stitches [24 stitches])

Decrease Row 11: using color A, * k2tog * (11 stitches [12 stitches])

Complete these 11 decrease rows, clip yarn tail, and, using tapestry needle, thread through final 11 (12) stitches. Pull tight, thread to inside of hat, and knot. Tuck in ends. Finally, if desired, make a pompom and attach it to hat. :)

Nikki's Slouch Hat
Nikki's Slouch Hat
Nikki's Slouch Hat
Nikki's Slouch Hat
Nikki's Slouch Hat

17 comments:

  1. I *love* this hat! I have a weirdly shaped head--well, not that weird, I just don't look good in most hats, but slouches and pompoms look pretty good, and the cables are just gorgeous! This is going on my queue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay! I struggled for quite some time figuring out the best way to give it texture before I stumbled across the cable revelation... Glad to hear my efforts are appreciated! :) And please, whenever you work it up let me know if you have any questions!!!

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  2. Love your new hat pattern...What would I need to change if I were to use a # 4 yarn weight or lighter maybe #3...
    Thanks you; so much for all the lovely patterns you post for us to try out.
    Have you ever considered including the degree of difficulty for your patterns...beginner, intermediate and ect... It sure would be helpful..also the weight of yarn used for a project.
    Thanks again...and Happy Trails to you and your lovely family;
    Jane Rader

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jane! I do include the yarn weight; you can find that in the tags at the bottom of the post. I have also considered the skill level idea although what I've seen seems fairly subjective... Perhaps I'll figure out a system I like someday and implement it!

      Also, I'm happy to suggest modifications for another yarn weight if you let me know your gauge! :)

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    2. any change if I use just one color? What would be head measurement for each size as I don' t know if I am medium or large. Lynn

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    3. Hi there!

      If you're just using one color then you can simply ignore color change instructions but follow the pattern otherwise. :) And I would say that the cutoff between the two sizes is probably around 23" or 23.5" around - if you're smaller, make the smaller size, bigger make the bigger and if you're right in that size range then you simply have to decide if you want the hat to fit snugly or loosely and go from there!

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  3. Hello -- love the design of this hat. Does the amount of yarn quoted as being needed include the pompom? I have approx 200m of chunky yarn that I would like to use for this to make size m/l and I am wondering if this is going to be enough (without the pompom).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there! Do you have two different colors, or are you making it with one? If one,I think that will be enough. If it's two, it really just depends how much you have if each! :)

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    2. Thank you! I am going to give it a try!

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    3. Wonderful, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! :)

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  4. Hello - love the design of this hat! I was wondering if the yardage requirements include the pompom. I have approx 200m of chunky yarn that I would like to use to make this and I am wondering if it is going to be enough to make size m/l without the pompom.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey Gretchen, what size is your gauge knit on? You have US size 4, maybe it's 11? I think I will add this one to my growing collection of your hats that I am knitting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, you're exactly right. Thanks for the catch, I'll fix it! :)

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  6. Please can you share this pattern on straight needles using a yarn with gauge 22 stitches = 4 inches on size 6 needles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! You can find the pattern adapted below. For your gauge, cast on 122 for the smaller size or 130 for the larger and add length as needed.

      So let's make a hat! Using your size US 10.5 needle and your color A yarn, then, cast on 76 stitches (80 stitches) loosely, place marker, and join in round. Then we'll work in a basic ribbing, as follows:

      Ribbing Row: using color A, * k1, p1; rep from *

      Knit this ribbing row until ribbing measures roughly 2" (2.5"-3"), and then transfer work to your size US 11 circular needle. Then, we'll work the following transition row. Notice the row is different for the two different sizes.

      Transition Row (size Adult Small/Medium): using color A, * (k6, make 1) twice, k7, m1; rep from * (+12 stitches - 88 total)

      Transition Row (size Adult Medium/Large): using color A, * k5, make 1 (m1); rep from * (+16 stitches - 96 total)

      Complete this transition row, and then we'll work as follows. You'll need the following notation to continue:

      fc (front cross): transfer 2 stitches to your cn and hold in front; k2, k2 from cn

      bc (back cross): transfer 2 stitches to your cn and hold in back; k2, k2 from cn

      Rows 1 - 2: using color A, knit

      Row 3: using color A, * bc, fc *

      Rows 4 - 6: using color A, knit

      Row 7: using color A, * fc, bc *

      Row 8: using color A, knit

      Rows 9 - 12: using color B, knit

      Row 13: using color A, knit

      Rows 14 - 17: using color B, knit

      Row 18: using color A, knit

      Knit rows 1 - 18 once and then knit rows 1 - 16 again (both sizes, although you can go an extra repeat if you have tons of yarn and want a crazy big hat!). Then we'll begin the decrease, as follows:

      Decrease Row 1: using color B, * k2, ssk, k2tog, k2; rep from * (66 stitches [72 stitches]) (you can also clip your color B yarn tail now; you're done with it)

      Decrease Row 2: using color A, knit

      You're going to want to transfer your work to your dpns about now...

      Decrease Row 3: using color A, * k1, ssk, k2tog, k1 * (44 stitches [48 stitches])

      Decrease Row 4: using color A, knit

      Decrease Row 5: using color A, * slip next stitch to cn and hold in back; k1, k1 from cn; then, slip next stitch to cn and hold in front; k1, k1 from cn *

      Decrease Rows 6 - 8: using color A, knit

      Decrease Row 9: using color A, * slip next stitch to cn and hold in front; k1, k1 from cn; then, slip next stitch to cn and hold in back; k1, k1 from cn *

      Decrease Row 10: using color A, * k2tog * (22 stitches [24 stitches])

      Decrease Row 11: using color A, * k2tog * (11 stitches [12 stitches])

      Complete these 11 decrease rows, clip yarn tail, and, using tapestry needle, thread through final 11 (12) stitches. Pull tight, thread to inside of hat, and knot. Tuck in ends. Finally, if desired, make a pompom and attach it to hat.

      Delete
  7. How can I knit this using worsted weight yarn?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! Just cast on 96 stitches with needles one size below gauge to work your ribbing, switch to gauge for the body, and add length as needed! :)

      Delete