Released for International Workers Day 2014
Designed to work up well in a wide range of yarns, this quick knit is a practical hat for all genders and ages. The two-by-two ribbing creates a dense and stretchy fabric that will fit a wide range of head sizes, making it the ideal pattern for whipping up a quick gift for a fussy friend. Choose bold stripes or calm neutrals – it’s up to you!
Blue sample used Mudchute Wool DK (100% wool; 110 metres // 119 yards per 50g) in Navy;
Fawn sample used Jarol Pure British Wool Aran (100% wool; 170 metres // 186 yards per 100g) in 03; Grey/yellow sample used Woolyknit Aran (100% wool; 78 metres // 85 yards per 50g) in Grey and Yellow;
Rust sample used handspun from Countess Ablaze Industrial fibre blend (75% wool, 12.5% tussah silk, 12.5% black diamond bamboo; spun as 193 metres // 211 yards per 100g);
Orange sample used Countess Ablaze The English Gentleman DK (75% Bluefaced Leicester, 25% Masham; 240 metres // 262 yards per 100g) in You Keep Me On The Edge Of My Seat.
MATERIALS
120 metres // 131 yards worsted or light aran yarn;
Needle A: 40cm // 16-inch circular needle, double- pointed needles, or preferred needle for working small circumferences, that gets you gauge;
Needle B: 40cm // 16-inch circular needle, double- pointed needles, or preferred needle for working small circumferences, one size smaller than Needle A;
Stitch marker;
Tapestry needle.
GAUGE
18 sts x 14 rows = 10cm // 4 inches in stockinette worked in the round, washed.
Suggested needle size = 4mm // US6
SIZING & DIMENSIONS
Hat circumference (unstretched): 30 cm // 12 inches; Edge to crown length: 24 cm // 9.5 inches OR custom;
This hat will comfortably accommodate head sizes 43-56cm // 17.25-22.5 inches, and may fit smaller or larger heads in some instances.
ABBREVIATIONS
k = knit;
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together (1 stitch decreased);
m = marker;
p = purl;
pm = place marker;
sl = slip (as if to purl, unless specified);
sl (wyib) = take yarn to back of work, slip the next stitch as if to purl, bring yarn forward;
sl (wyif) = bring yarn forward, slip the next stitch as if to purl, take yarn to back of work;
ssk = slip the next 2 stitches knitwise and knit together through the back loops (1 stitch decreased);
sts = stitch(es).
DIRECTIONS
Using Needle B, cast on 96 sts using a tubular method.
Set up row 1 [RS]: * K 1, bring yarn forward, sl 1 pwise, take yarn backward, repeat from * to end.
Set up row 2 [WS]: * Sl 1 wyib, bring yarn forward, p 1, take yarn backward, repeat from * to end.
Set up row 3 [RS]: * K 1, k second st on left-hand needle fromthe front, p first st on left-hand needle fromthe back, slide both sts off needle, p 1, repeat from * to end.
Join to work in the round. Pm for start of round.
Change to Needle A.
Ribbing round: * K 2, p 2, repeat from * to end of round.
Work ribbing until hat measures 20 cm // 8 inches from edge, or 4 cm // 1.5 inches shorter than desired length.
Round 1: (K 2, p 2) twice, k 1, * ssk, k2tog, (k 1, p 2, k 1) five times, repeat from * twice more, ssk, k2tog, (k 1, p 2, k 1) twice, k 1, p 2. 88 sts.
Round 2: (K 2, p 2) twice, k 1, * k 2, (k 1, p 2, k 1) five times, repeat from * twice more, k 2, (k 1, p 2, k 1) twice, k 1, p 2.
Round 3: (K 2, p 2) twice, * ssk, k2tog, (p 2, k 2) four times, p 2, repeat from * twice more, ssk, k2tog, (p 2, k 2) twice, p 2. 80 sts.
Round 4: As ribbing round.
Round 5: K 2, p 2, k 1, * ssk, p 1, k 2, p 1, k2tog, (k 1, p 2, k 1) three times, repeat from * twice more, ssk, p 1, k 2, p 1, k2tog, k 1, p 2, k 2, p 2. 72 sts.
Round 6: K 2, p 2, * (k 2, p 1) twice, (k 2, p 2) three times, repeat from * twice more, (k 2, p 1) twice, (k 2, p 2) twice.
Round 7: K 2, p 2, k 1, * ssk, k 2, k2tog, (k 1, p 2, k 1) three times, repeat from * twice more, ssk, k 2, k2tog, k 1, p 2, k 2, p 2. 64 sts.
Round 8: K 1, * ssk, p 1, k 1, ssk, k2tog, k 1, p 1, k2tog, k 1, p 2, k, 1, repeat from * twice more, ssk, p 1, k 1, ssk, k2tog, k 1, p 1, k2tog, k 1, p 2. 48 sts.
Round 9: * K 1, ssk, ssk, k2tog, k2tog, k 1, p 2, repeat from * three more times. 32 sts.
Round 10: * (K2tog) three times, p 2, repeat from * twice more, (k2tog) three times, p 1, sl 1, remove m, place slipped st on left-hand needle. 20 sts.
Round 11: * K2tog, k 1, ssk, repeat from * three more times. 12 sts.
Break yarn and draw end through the remaining stitches.
FINISHING
Weave in ends.
Block gently to the dimensions given in Sizing.