Whit's Knits: Simple Pleasures Hat
Treat yourself to the simple pleasure of Jade Sapphire's Cashmere Silk. It's just one of those yarns that fills you with deep satisfaction, so sumptuous and alive!
Also, enjoy how easy this hat is knit. No fussy stitch patterns and no double pointed needles! Perfect for holiday travel or for a weekend at home with a few good rentals. Simple pleasures are the best! --Whitney
ps. If the yellow mittens are catching your eye, check out last March's EZ's Mitts entry - it's a great time of year to be thinking about mittens!
Materials
- 1 ball of Rowan's Kid Silk Haze, 70% super kid mohair, 30% silk (This color is "Majestic", #589.) (For more color options, consider Alchemy's Haiku mohair/silk blend. The equivalent gauge of Kid Silk Haze, it's a beautifully hand dyed alternative.)
- 1 skein of Jade Sapphire's 2 Ply Cashmere-Silk, 45% cashmere, 55% silk. (This is color is "Tea Leaves".)
- A US #8 16 inch circular needle
- A US #9 16 inch circular needle
The Pattern
Gauge
4.75 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch, using the larger needle and 1 strand of cashmere silk and 1 strand of mohair
Finished Size
18 inches in circumference, unstretched. To fit an average woman's head.
Note
For this pattern, I call the Cashmere Silk "Yarn A". (It is doubled for the cuff.) I call the Mohair "Yarn B". (For the crown, one strand of Yarn A is combined with with one strand of Yarn B.)
To double Yarn A, either wind the skein into two balls and pull one strand from each ball. Or, wind a center-pull ball (by hand or, more easily, on a swift) and pull one strand from the inside of the ball and one from the outside.
Cuff
Using 2 strands of Yarn A, cast 92 stitches onto the smaller needle.
Join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches. Place marker to indicate the end of the round.
Round 1: *K2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Round 1 until the piece measures 6 inches from the cast on edge.
Crown
Cut one of the strands of Yarn A and add one strand of Yarn B (so that you're knitting with one strand of A and one strand of B).
Change to the larger needle, and knit every round until the crown measures 7 inches from the top edge of the cuff.
Next Round: *K21, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (88 stitches)
Knit 2 rounds.
Next Round: *K2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (66 stitches)
Knit 2 rounds.
Next Round: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (44 stitches)
Knit 2 rounds.
Next Round: *K2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (22 stitches) (This round will be a litle tight on the circular needle. Feel free to switch to double pointed needles if you want, but I didn't find it neccessary.)
Cut a 12 inch tail and thread it onto a tapestry needle.
Thread the tail through the remaining 22 stitches.
Remove the circular needle and pull the tail tight. Thread the tail through the center top to the inside of the hat.
Weave in all the tails. (Remember to weave in the cast on tail on the right side because the cuff will be worn folded up.)
The hat looks a little funny...
...but starts to look a little less funny when you fold the cuff...
...and then looks totally cute when you put it on!
purl bee