I was at the mall with a gift card and could find nothing that I wanted to buy. I take that back. I loved a cap by Fossil, but did not want to pay the $36 to buy it. I inspected the brim, and discovered that I could make my own by using short-row shaping. My version is made from an unraveled cotton and wool blend sweater with yarn held double throughout.
The short-row shaping of the brim can be a little difficult, please leave comments and I’d be happy to clarify.
Two strands of worsted yarn and US size 13 circular needles give a gauge of 2.5 stitches to an inch. A size “J” crochet hook will come in handy for picking up stitches.
Start with the brim:
CO 3.
Note: I like to use a two-stranded cast on, so I left a very long tail. I used it later to cast on for the circumference of the hat.
Each stitch is slipped at the beginning of the row. This is for ease in picking up stitches later on.
Row 1 (WS): Sl 1, P 1 (center stitch), K 1.
Row 2 (RS): Sl 1, K 1 (center stitch), P 1.
Row 3: Sl 1, P 1, K 1.
Row 4: Sl 1, P to center stitch, M 1, K 1, M 1, P to end.
Row 5: Sl first st, K all K stitches and P center stitch.
Repeat Row 4 until there are 5 stitches on either side of center stitch.
Work short-row curve:
Sl 1, P 4, K 1, P 4, turn,
Sl 1, K 3, P 1, K 3, turn,
Sl 1, P 2, K 1, P 2, turn,
Sl 1, K 1, P 1, K 1, turn,
Sl 1, K 1, P to end.
Work even:
Row 1 (WS): Sl 1, K 4, P 1, K to end.
Row 2 (RS): Sl 1, P 4, K 1, P to end.
Repeat Rows 1&2 (3) times more. Repeat Row 1 once more.
Work short-row curve.
Work even.
Work short-row curve.
Decrease:
Row 1 and all odd numbered rows to end (WS): Sl 1, K to center stitch, P center stich, K to end.
Row 2: Sl 1, P to within 2 stitches of center stitch, P 2 tog, K 1, P 2 tog, P to end.
Repeat Rows 1&2 until 2 stitches remain on either side of the center. Work an odd side row.
Next Row: P 2 tog, K 1, P 2 tog.
Next: K 1, P 1, K 1.
Final Row: K 3 tog. Do not cast off.
Hat:
Fold brim in half along the ridge so that the purl side faces outward. Using a crochet hook, pick up 19 stitches along the edge of the brim through the slipped stitches. Stitches should be picked up through both thicknesses.
CO 28 stitches. Place marker to mark beginning of rounds. Join to work in the round.
Round 1: Purl.
Round 2: Knit.
Repeat Rounds 1&2 twice more.
Knit until hat measures 4 ½” from beginning.
Decrease:
Move to double-pointed-needles or use the Magic Loop method when there are too few stitches to knit normally with circular needle.
Round 1: *K 6, K2 tog* around.
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: *K 5, K 2 tog* around.
Round 4: Knit.
Round 5: *K 4, K 2 tog* around.
Round 6: Knit.
Round 7: *K 3, K 2 tog* around.
Round 8: Knit.
Round 9: *K 2, K 2 tog* around.
Round 10: Knit.
Round 11: *K 1, K 2 tog* around.
Round 12: Knit.
Round 13: *K 2 tog* around.
Tie off, draw thread through remaining stitches and pull tight.
You May Also Enjoy:
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Kayla,
what a wonderful cap! I have just looked a long time for such a pattern. Thank you for sharing your pattern with us! Thanks to ravelry.
Heidrun
(from Germany)
Great idea. What a clever pattern. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for making it free!
This is adorable, but is Row 3 of brim correct? Seems to need some increases to be ready for Row 4. Thanks.
Row 3 is correct. For row 4 itself, you would slip one, and because there are no stitches to purl before center stitch, you would move right into the make one.
So, Row 4: Sl 1, M 1, K 1, M 1, P to end.
Oh my goodness gracious, I have never heard of you! Found you through The Daily Knitter and Love Your Stuff. Thank you for sharing, not only your patterns, but also for sharing your knowlege of knitting. I hope some day to be able to create as well as you and other great knit and crochet designers. Have a great day!
I knit this up using Rowan by Amy Butler belle organic aran, 2 skeins held the yarn doubled throught out. It worked up fast and looks adorable. I had yarn from each skein left over not sure if it is enough for a second hat but could be used to make a 2 colored version having the brim and band one color and the rest of the hat in the second color.