The Free Pattern
See "The Details" tab for size, yarn, needle, and gauge information.
Swatching for gauge, fabric and fit
While this hat is super simple and quite forgiving, to end up with a cozy hat that you’ll wear and wear, you may want to finesse the fit and slouch.
We recommend knitting a swatch for gauge and fabric, starting with the needle size suggested on the ball band. You may find, however, that some yarn and needle combinations may not produce the sublimely soft fabric you need for this hat.
Aim for a fabric that’s soft enough to slouch, yet dense enough to keep its shape. Knit a swatch at least 5"/12.5cm square and block as directed in the pattern. After blocking, drying and resting, check your fabric. If your fabric is too stiff or too droopy, adjust your needle size accordingly. Note: If you find you need to unravel and reuse swatch yarn to finish hat, be sure to steam or soak as appropriate.
When you’ve found a fabric that you like, check your gauge. Find the pattern gauge closest to your blocked gauge. If you’re off slightly, don’t worry—there’s some wiggle room in the finished size to fit an average adult head.
If your blocked gauge doesn’t closely match given pattern gauge, but you love your fabric, calculate how many sts you will need to cast on for a hat that is about 2–4"/5–10cm smaller than your head; round to the nearest number that is divisible by 8. Then follow the instructions and adjust shaping rounds as necessary for your cast-on sts.
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 112 sts using cable cast-on method. Don’t join in the round yet.
Edging:
Row 1: Knit.
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.
Knit 2 rounds.
Body:
Change to gauge needle and knit until piece measures 7"/18cm from cast-on edge for shorter version or 9"/23cm from cast-on edge for longer version. Note: Shaping rounds will add approx. 3"/7.5cm.
Shaping:
Place four more locking markers on needle as follows: After 14 sts; after 28 sts three times; 14 sts remain to beginning of round marker.
Note: Sts should be 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. If you adjusted your cast-on number, adjust placement of locking markers accordingly.
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 [72 sts]; then every other round 4 times [40 sts]; then every round 4 times. [8 sts] Note: If you adjusted your cast-on sts, you will work either one more or one fewer decrease on the last repeat to finish with 8 sts.
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.
Finishing:
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.
Gently steam press using press cloth along open edge of hat. Rotate fold and press out any fold lines. Let dry completely.
