 |
| Nikki’s Slouch Hat pictured in size Adult Small/Medium |
Here’s another pretty hat with a simple story: my friend Nikki was struggling to find a nice slouch hat here in Switzerland. Meanwhile, I had just bought some lovely yarns at my local store knowing that they would be *perfect* for something. And what do you know, a few conversations and copious swatching later, Nikki’s Slouch Hat was born! With a combination of cabled panels (for squish) and simple striping (for ease), this hat has texture and charm galore!!!
Sizes: Adult Small/Medium (Adult Medium/Large)
Yarn: Lana Grossa Landlust Merino 120 (100% Virgin Wool; 131 yards [120 meters]/50 grams); #105 Taupe – one skein (two skeins) (color A), & #116 Petrol – one skein (both sizes) (color B) (side note: I didn’t have a full 10% of my color A skein left over when I finished this hat, so I suppose it’s possible that you’ll need two skeins to finish the small size too. If you get in that situation, however, I suggest you fudge it and finish with color B, especially if you’re gonna add a pompom!)
 |
| A look at the back. |
Needles: One 16″ circular needle in size US 10.5, one 16″ circular needle in size US 11, one set of double pointed needles (dpns), also in size US 11, and one cable needle (cn) or extra dpn for cabling (or cable without a cable needle, if you like!)
Notions: tapestry needle, stitch marker
Gauge: 14 stitches = 4 inches on size US 11 needles
So let’s make a hat! Using your size US 10.5 needle and your color A yarn, then, cast on 76 stitches (80 stitches) loosely, place marker, and join in round. Then we’ll work in a basic ribbing, as follows:
Ribbing Row: using color A, * k1, p1; rep from *
Knit this ribbing row until ribbing measures roughly 2″ (2.5″-3″), and then transfer work to your size US 11 circular needle. Then, we’ll work the following transition row. Notice the row is different for the two different sizes.
Transition Row (size Adult Small/Medium): using color A, * (k6, make 1) twice, k7, m1; rep from * (+12 stitches – 88 total)
Transition Row (size Adult Medium/Large): using color A, * k5, make 1 (m1); rep from * (+16 stitches – 96 total)
Complete this transition row, and then we’ll work as follows. You’ll need the following notation to continue:
fc (front cross): transfer 2 stitches to your cn and hold in front; k2, k2 from cn
bc (back cross): transfer 2 stitches to your cn and hold in back; k2, k2 from cn
Rows 1 – 2: using color A, knit
Row 3: using color A, * bc, fc *
Rows 4 – 6: using color A, knit
Row 7: using color A, * fc, bc *
Row 8: using color A, knit
Rows 9 – 12: using color B, knit
Row 13: using color A, knit
Rows 14 – 17: using color B, knit
Row 18: using color A, knit
Knit rows 1 – 18 once and then knit rows 1 – 16 again (both sizes, although you can go an extra repeat if you have tons of yarn and want a crazy big hat!). Then we’ll begin the decrease, as follows:
Decrease Row 1: using color B, * k2, ssk, k2tog, k2; rep from * (66 stitches [72 stitches]) (you can also clip your color B yarn tail now; you’re done with it)
Decrease Row 2: using color A, knit
You’re going to want to transfer your work to your dpns about now…
Decrease Row 3: using color A, * k1, ssk, k2tog, k1 * (44 stitches [48 stitches])
Decrease Row 4: using color A, knit
Decrease Row 5: using color A, * slip next stitch to cn and hold in back; k1, k1 from cn; then, slip next stitch to cn and hold in front; k1, k1 from cn *
Decrease Rows 6 – 8: using color A, knit
Decrease Row 9: using color A, * slip next stitch to cn and hold in front; k1, k1 from cn; then, slip next stitch to cn and hold in back; k1, k1 from cn *
Decrease Row 10: using color A, * k2tog * (22 stitches [24 stitches])
Decrease Row 11: using color A, * k2tog * (11 stitches [12 stitches])
Complete these 11 decrease rows, clip yarn tail, and, using tapestry needle, thread through final 11 (12) stitches. Pull tight, thread to inside of hat, and knot. Tuck in ends. Finally, if desired, make a pompom and attach it to hat. 🙂
