The Free Pattern

See "The Details" tab for size, yarn, needle, and gauge information.

Glossary: Dec(’d) = decrease(d); K2Tog = knit 2 sts together; SM = slip marker; SSK = slip, slip, knit (slip 1 knitwise, slip 1 knitwise, insert left needle into front of 2 slipped sts from left; from this position, K2Tog); St(s) = stitch(es).

Cast on:
With smaller circular needle, cast on 104 sts using cable cast-on method. Don’t join in the round yet.

Ribbing:
Row 1: *K2, P2*; repeat between * * to end.

Join in round being careful not to twist, placing contrast color marker to designate beginning of round. On subsequent rounds, slip marker as you come to it.

Round 1: *K2, P2*; repeat between * * around.

Repeat Round 1 until ribbing measures approx. 1"/2.5cm.

Body:
Change to gauge needle and knit to 4½"/11.5cm from cast-on edge for shorter beanie version or 6½"/16.5cm from cast-on edge for longer slouchy version. Note: Shaping rounds will add approx. 3"/7.5cm.

Shaping:
Place four more locking markers on needle as follows: After 13 sts; after 26 sts three times; 13 sts remain to round marker.
Note: Sts are divided evenly into four quadrants with beginning of round marker centered in one quadrant. Change to double-points when necessary, centering quadrant markers on each needle; clip beginning of round marker into work so it won’t fall off the needle.

Round 1 (dec round): *Knit to 2 sts before first marked stitch, SSK, SM, K2Tog (tug last st to tighten gap)*; repeat between * * three more times, knit to end. [8 sts dec’d]

Repeat dec round every following third round 4 more times [64 sts; 16 per needle];
then every other round 4 times [32 sts; 8 per needle];
then every round 3 times. [8 sts; 2 per needle].

Finishing:
Break yarn, leaving 8"/20cm tail. With darning needle, thread tail through all 8 sts one at a time; draw up tightly; repeat for strength. Weave in ends on wrong side.

Soak hat for 20 minutes in tepid water with a little no-rinse wool soap. Gently squeeze out as much water as possible. Roll up in a towel and gently squeeze out more moisture; or place in a zippered pillowcase and run through spin-only cycle in washing machine.
Lay flat on moisture-safe surface, gently nudging hat to desired width and length, without stretching cuff of hat to full width. Insert pins at a shallow angle along open edges of hat in frequent intervals to encourage it to dry flat. Without pinning, allow top of hat to naturally cup a little. Allow to dry thoroughly.
If desired, gently steam press using press cloth, avoiding ribbing. Rotate fold and press out any fold lines. Let dry completely.