Sunday, January 19, 2014

Heather's Hat

Heather's Hat

My sister is currently visiting for the weekend (possibly longer, if my children successfully execute their plan to lock her in the closet so she has to play with them indefinitely), so I thought I might knit her a hat. And after seeing something similar-ish out and getting inspired, I came up with this simple but very attractive slipped-stitch hat, knit in a textured cotton that I already had on hand. Furthermore, while I think you could reduce the hat's texture by blocking it (the tension of the slipped stitch stripes causes the knit-only portions to bulge), I kind of think the rippling is one of the hat's best features. Whatever you decide to do with yours, however, here's the pattern!
From ze back.

Yarn: Queensland Collection Pima Fresca (100% Pima Cotton; 145.4 yards [133 meters]/100 grams); #20 Limestone - 1 skein

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size US 8, one 16" circular needle in size US , and one set of double pointed needles (dpns), also in size US 8

Notions: tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 16 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette

Using your size 6 circular needle, cast on 96 stitches loosely, place marker, and join in round. Knit 5 rows around, and then switch to your size 8 circular needle. And now, let's start on the pattern! Also, remember to keep your yarn loose when you slip stitches; otherwise, your slipped-stitch stripes will close up.

Row 1: * slip 4 stitches with yarn in front, k8; rep from *

Row 2: knit

Knit in pattern until piece measures roughly 7" along one of the slipped stitch stripes, measuring from the natural curl of the edge rather than trying to smooth out the first couple of stitches (you'll notice that these slipped stitch stripes are also more gathered than the knit fabric between - feel free to stretch it a little, or not). Oh, and make sure you've just finished row one of the pattern. Now it's time to begin the decreases, which go as follows:

Decrease Row 1: * k3, ssk, k7 *

Row 2: * slip 4 stitches with yarn in front, k7 *

Row 3: * k3, ssk, k6 *

Row 4: * slip 4 stitches with yarn in front, k6 *

Row 5: * k3, ssk, k5 *

Row 6: * slip 4 stitches with yarn in front, k5 *

Row 7: * k1, ssk twice, k4 *

You may want to switch to your dpns about now...

Row 8: * slip 3 stitches with yarn in front, k4 *

Row 9: * ssk twice, k3 *

Row 10: * slip 2 stitches with yarn in front, k3 *

Row 11: * slip 1 stitch, ssk, pass slipped stitch over, k2 *

Row 12: * slip 2 stitches with yarn in front, k1 *

Row 13: * slip 1 stitch, ssk, pass slipped stitch over *

Clip tail, thread through remaining 8 stitches, and pull tight. Thread tail to inside of hat and knot. Tuck in ends, and place on your sister's head carefully, so as not to muss her bangs.





13 comments:

  1. I love ze hat. Too bad you didn't have her model it. I bet it looks really good on her.

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    1. Well, I couldn't get her to put it on for awhile... but she just did and it looks great!

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    2. Are the size of the needles on US or metric?

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    3. Everything's in US sizing! I've been updating old patterns; I'll do this one straightaway! :)

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  2. Replies
    1. how can this be stockinette stitch if every row is knitted?

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    2. Hi there!

      Are you referring to the gauge description? You are welcome to get gauge using straight needles beach and forth, the regular way. In general, however, stockinette simply describes a fabric that's all knit on one side; since many hats are knit in the round you never have any wrong side rows so you can achieve that without purling! :)

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    3. Ah! *back and forth, sorry. Stupid autocorrect!!!!

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    4. if wanted to knit straight needles what would directions be?

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    5. I have converted the pattern for you below. However, if you've never knit on circular needles before I highly recommend trying it! It only takes about 2 extra, and quite basic, skills, and saves you a lot of purling!!! :)

      Using your size 6 needles, cast on 98 stitches loosely. Work as follows:

      Row 1 (wrong side): purl

      Row 2: knit

      Knit rows 1 & 2 twice, and then knit row 1 again. Then switch to your size 8 needles and we’ll start on the pattern! Also, remember to keep your yarn loose when you slip stitches; otherwise, your slipped-stitch stripes will close up.

      Row 1 (right side): k1, * slip 4 stitches with yarn in front, k8; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, k1

      Row 2: purl

      Knit in pattern until piece measures roughly 7" along one of the slipped stitch stripes and you’ve just finished row 2 of the pattern, measuring from the natural curl of the edge rather than trying to smooth out the first couple of stitches. Now it's time to begin the decreases, which go as follows:

      Decrease Row 1 (right side): k1, * k3, ssk, k7; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, end k1

      Row 2: p1, *p7, slip 4 stitches with yarn in back; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, end p1

      Row 3: k1, * k3, ssk, k6; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, end k1

      Row 4: p1, * p6, slip 4 stitches with yarn in back; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, end p1

      Row 5: k1, * k3, ssk, k5; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, end k1

      Row 6: p1, * p5, slip 4 stitches with yarn in back; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, end p1

      Row 7: k1, * k1, ssk twice, k4; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, end k1

      Row 8: p1, * p4, slip 3 stitches with yarn in back; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, end p1

      Row 9: k1, * ssk twice, k3; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, end k1

      Row 10: p1, *p3, slip 2 stitches with yarn in back; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, end p1

      Row 11: k1, * slip 1 stitch, ssk, pass slipped stitch over, k2; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, end k1

      Row 12: p1, * p1, slip 2 stitches with yarn in back; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, end p1

      Row 13: k1, * slip 1 stitch, ssk, pass slipped stitch over; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, end k1

      Thread remaining 10 stitches on scrap of yarn to hold for later. Seam from bottom of hat, threading seaming yarn through remaining 10 stitches when you reach them. Thread yarn to inside of hat, pull tight, and knot. Tuck in ends.

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  3. I love the look of this! I'm going to try it using a skein of alpaca/silk yarn I received in a free goody bag from a local yarn shop.

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

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