Thursday, January 4, 2018

River Rush Slouch Hat

River Rush Slouch Hat
River Rush Slouch Hat
size Adult Large (hence the extra slouch
on Hedwig)

I wish I had a snappy story about this hat, but I really don't; basically, I designed it as a nice unisex number in order to give it away in a gift exchange, but didn't because I (rather stupidly!) made an Adult Large and then wondered if it would be too large for a woman of average head size, if a woman of average head size were to receive it, and then descended into a morass of self-doubt, etc etc etc. So now it lives in an IKEA bag in my closet, ready to be sent out to a new recipient as soon as I build up the courage to revisit the post office (my last trip was an unmitigated disaster; this mailing-stuff-in-German stuff is hard, even if my German is now approaching kindergarten level). Oh yeah, but my husband DID pick out the yarn, so that was very nice of him!!!

Sizes: Toddler (Child; Teen/Adult Small; Adult Medium; Adult Large)

Yarn: Lana Grossa Alpaca Peru 100 (100% Alpaca; 109 yards [100 meters]/50 grams); #109 Grège - 1 skein (1-2 skeins; 2 skeins; 2 skeins; 2 skeins)

River Rush Slouch Hat
A closer look at the pattern.
And Hedwig.
She looks pensive, no?
Needles: one 16" circular needle in size US 8, one 16" circular needle in size US 9, and one set of double pointed needles (dpns), also in size US 9

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 18 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette on size US 9 needles

So let's make a hat! Using your size US 8 needle, then, cast on 76 (84; 92; 100; 108) stitches loosely, place marker, and join in round. Then we'll knit the following ribbing row:

Ribbing Row: * p2, k2; rep from *

Knit this ribbing row until ribbing measures 1.5" (2"; 2"; 2"; 2") and transfer work to your size US 9 needle. Then we'll begin our main pattern, as follows. To do this, we'll need the following terminology (and please notice I've embedded a video of this technique below the description as well!):

rt (right twist): knit two together, leaving stitches on left-hand needle; next, insert right-hand needle from the front between the two stitches just knitted together, and knit the first stitch again.  Finally, slip both stitches from left-hand needle together


And once we have that down, we'll proceed as follows: 

Row 1: * p3, k1 *

Row 2: * p2, rt *

Row 3: * p2, k2 *

Row 4: * p1, rt, k1 *

Row 5: * p1, k3 *

Row 6: * rt, k2 * 

Row 7: knit

Knit rows 1 - 7 4 (4; 5; 5; 6) times (please note that this is a guideline for a less-slouchy hat even though I called it a slouch hat - it's been a hard week, people!!!; if you want something with more slouch, feel free to add some extra repeats!), and then transfer work to your dpns. Then we'll work the decreases, as follows:

Decrease Row 1: * k2tog * (38
 [42; 46; 50; 54] stitches)

Decrease Row 2: * k2tog * (19 [21; 23; 25; 27] stitches)

Decrease Row 3: k1, * k2tog * (10 [11; 12; 13; 14] stitches)

Decrease Row 4 (sizes Toddler, Teen/Adult Small, and Adult Large): * k2tog * (5 [--; 6; --; 7] stitches)

Decrease Row 4 (sizes Child and Adult Medium): k1, * k2tog * (-- [6; --; 7; --] stitches)

Complete decrease rows 1 - 4, clip yarn tail, thread on tapestry needle, and thread through final 5 (6; 6; 7; 7] stitches). Pull tight, thread to inside of hat, and knot. Tuck in ends and block, if desired.

River Rush Slouch Hat
River Rush Slouch Hat
River Rush Slouch Hat
River Rush Slouch Hat
River Rush Slouch Hat
 River Rush Slouch Hat

26 comments:

  1. I love the texture of this hat. It is a great pattern to show off some beautiful yarn. Thanks for sharing your pattern.

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    1. Oh, I'm so glad to hear you like it! I swatched quite a bit with this one to come up with something I liked... Glad to hear it was worthwhile! :)

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  2. Thank you for sharing this hat pattern. Love the twisted stitch. Also, your model is simply stunning ;-)
    May your 2018 be full of love and joy!

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    1. She is going to be SO HAPPY when I tell her! And I hope your 2018 is spectacular as well!!!! :)

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  3. This stitch sounds so interesting and fun to do. You mention the pattern is for "less slouchy". Do you mean it does NOT look like the photo? I prefer not to have slouchy and am curious how closely the pattern might fit on the head. Thanks. Love your patterns.

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    1. Hi there!

      The pattern is shown in the adult large size, as it's written, but Hedwig's head isn't that big so it's quite slouchy on her, and would naturally fit more tightly on a larger head. :) I recommend casting on for the correct size and then deciding whether or not to add more pattern repeats after you've completed the suggested number; since the decrease is only four rows long you should have a good idea of finished length by then! :)

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  4. Replies
    1. Hi there!

      The easiest way is to use the green PrintFriendly button, which you can find between the bottom photo and the comments... it doesn't seem to load in mobile, however, so if you're on a mobile device make sure you're in the regular view first! :)

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  5. thank you! This was fun to make.

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  6. This is gorgeous! Will be starting it tomorrow for my DIL who "can rock anything" (her words) :-) I'll be doing it in blues/greens, for the "river effect". TY for this pattern - love it!

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    1. Sounds beautiful, glad you like the pattern! :) And let me know if you have any questions!!!

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  7. Pattern is new and beautiful.it is interesting to try this pattern. thank you for sharing this information. I will try on double knit pale green.

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    1. Wonderful! Let me know if you have any questions!!! :)

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  8. Thank you for sharing! I just made a couple of these for a coworkers neices who didn't have winter hats when they moved to NY from the south. This is a fun pattern to knit and the hats are beautiful! You don't happen to have a scarf pattern that would match the "rt" design, do you? Thanks!

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    1. Hi there! No, unfortunately I don't. However you could adapt this stitch pattern to straight knitting by adding one extra row, here's my suggestion below:

      Row 1 (wrong side): * p1, k3 *

      Row 2: * p2, rt *

      Row 3: * k2, p2 *

      Row 4: * p1, rt, k1 *

      Row 5: * k1, p3 *

      Row 6: * rt, k2 *

      Row 7: purl

      Row 8: knit

      Then you can use this pattern on any multiple of four stitches. It will have one extra row, like I said, but I doubt it will be noticeable! Add a ribbed or purled edge at either end and you're done! :)

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  9. Great! I'm going to give it a whirl. Let you know how it goes. Thanks so much!

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  10. Snowed in and no school for this knitting lunch lady. I'll be casting this on today for my son for Christmas. Thank you for the pattern!

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    1. Wonderful! Let me know if you have any questions. :)

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  11. Looks like it's going to be fun to knit. How do you know which size to make, adult medium or lg?

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    1. Oh yes, I see I didn't put measurements on the one, apologies! The cutoff is probably between 23" and 24" around - over 24" go large, between make a choice as to whether you'd prefer something looser or tighter, and under go medium. :)

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    2. Thanks! I think my head measurement is 21" so I should probably go with the adult small?

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  12. Would the pattern remain similar if you were knitting on straight needles?

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    1. Hi there! Unfortunately I wrote this stitch pattern as a seven-row pattern, so converting to straight needles would require either adding one more row so that you're not beginning one repeat on a right side row and the next on the wrong side (the easier option) or trying to work twisted stitches from the wrong side of the fabric on half of the pattern repeats. Of course if you're comfortable making the conversion it can be done, though! :)

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