Pattern #5008

These four hats are designed with slip stitch patterns, making for a lofty, thick knitted fabric – and warm ears! In addition, these patterns create interesting effects in both solid color yarns and in variegated or handpainted yarns. The hats are sized to fit women.

Pumpkin Pie Hat
This hat is knitted from brim to crown. I started with a circular needle, and switched to double-point needles for the crown. Alternatively, you can knit the entire hat on double-point needles or on a very long circular needle (aka, “magic loop”).

Yarn: I’ve used a number of yarns for this hat pattern. The example in the picture is knitted from Brown Sheep “Lamb’s Pride Worsted”, color M-22 “Autumn”; 85% wool, 15% mohair; 4 oz., 190 yards per skein. Only 1 skein was necessary.

Needles: One 20-inch circular needle and one set of 4 double-point needles, US size 8. You will also need one circular needle of a smaller size and at least 20” in length (to pick up stitches in preparation for knitting two rounds together).

Additional tools: darning needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge: In stockinette stitch on size 8 needles, 4 sts = 1 inch

Kaleidoscope Hat
This hat is knitted from brim to crown. The brim folds over, creating 2 layers over the ears. I used a smaller needle for the ribbed brim. I started with a circular needle, and switched to double-point needles for the crown. Alternatively, you can knit the entire hat on double-point needles or on a very long circular needle.

Yarn: The hat in the picture was knitted with “Manos del Uruguay”, 100% wool, 100 gm per skein, 137 yards per skein. This hat required about 1 ½ skeins.

Needles: One 20-inch circular needle and one set of 4 double-point needles, US size 7; and one 20-inch circular needle, US size 6.

Additional tools: darning needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge: In stockinette stitch on size 7 needles, 5 sts = 1 inch

Brioche Hat
This hat is knitted from brim to crown, using mostly the brioche stitch. Brioche may look like ordinary ribbing, but the fabric is really much more three-dimensional, elastic, and lofty. The brioche stitch is created by working a yarn-over and a slipped stitch together as if they were one stitch. Folding over the brioche fabric makes for very warm ears! I started with a circular needle, and switched to double-point needles for the crown.

Yarn: I knitted the hat in the picture using Noro “Kabuki Tamu” yarn, color # 46, 90% wool, 10% nylon., 50 gr per skein, 60 m per skein. This is a bulky yarn. I used 2 skeins for the hat.

Needles: One 20-inch circular needle and one set of 4 double-point needles, US size 10.

Additional tools: darning needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge: In stockinette stitch on size 10 needles, 3 sts = 1 inch

Linen Stitch Hat
The linen stitch is known by many names. It creates a fairly stiff, thick fabric that can be mistaken for a woven fabric on first glance. The front side of the fabric is smooth, the back is bumpy. This stitch patterns fractures colors in an interesting way, and it’s a good warm stitch pattern for the brim that covers the ears. The hat fits snuggly around the ears, then flares in a pseudo-beret fashion for the top. I started with a circular needle, and switched to double-point needles for the crown.

Yarn: The hat pictured here was knitted from Rowan “Magpie”, 100% wool, 100 g per skein, 140 m per skein. The main color (color A) used here was shade 608; I used a bit less than 1 skein of this color. I also used 2 secondary colors (colors B and C): shades 308 and 311, needing only a small fraction of a skein for each. I have also knitted this hat in a single color and in variegated yarns. All work well.

Needles: One 20-inch circular needle and one set of 4 double-point needles, US size 8.

Additional tools: darning needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge: In stockinette stitch, 4 ½ sts = 1 inch