This hat is a fine example of how easy and quick knitting can be. Simply work in rounds, using the knit stitch only, which produces stockinette stitch; the finishing is minimal. From casting on to wearing the hat took less than three hours.
If you have ever yearned for a Fair Isle or jazz-knitting effect, but just can’t cope with more than one yarn at a time, the hand warmers shown at right are just perfect. The yarn itself creates the pattern, and although it is quite fine to work, it slips along the needles quickly. Watching the colors change is so fascinating that before you know it, you’re halfway there.
The subtle colors in this hat allow you to coordinate it with many other projects in this book.
PULL-ON HAT AND SKINNY SCARF See instructions on pages 26–27 to make the skinny scarf.
TIPS
• Every round of the hat shaping is given, so if you wish, you can check them off as you do them. If you look at the shaping rounds, you’ll see that the number of stitches between increases is the same as the number of the round, so if you put the work down while increasing, you’ll know where you are when you start again.
• Our instructions assume that you are working with a set of four double-pointed needles, starting with 2 sts and ending with 32 sts on each of 3 needles. If you have a set of 5 double-pointed needles, start off on 3 needles, as directed, and use the fourth needle to knit with. Then introduce the fifth needle on the 3rd round by working k3, kfb on the first needle and again on the second needle. You will end with 2 needles, each having 16 sts, while the other two have 32 sts.
ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE
The hat took 3 hours to knit.
SIZE
Around brim: 20¾ in. (53 cm)
YOU WILL NEED
• 1 x 50 g ball (approx 1¾ oz.) of Noro Silk Garden in shade 89
• set of size US 8 (5 mm) double-pointed needles
GAUGE
18 sts and 24 rows to 4 in. (10 cm) over st-st on size US 8 (5 mm) needles. Change needle size, if necessary, to obtain this gauge.
ABBREVIATIONS
beg = beginning; k = knit; kfb = knit into front and back of st; st(s) = stitch(es); st-st = stockinette st; [ ] = work instructions in square brackets as directed.
ABOUT THIS YARN
This blend of 45% silk, 45% kid mohair, and 10% lamb’s wool makes a soft, but springy fabric. It has approximately 109 yds. (100 m) to a 50 g (approx. 1¾ oz.) ball. The shaded colors create subtle stripes when knitted in the round.
TO KNIT
Cast on 6 sts. Using 2 needles and beg with a k row, st-st 6 rows. [Kfb] twice onto each of 3 needles. Join in a round. 12sts.
Round 1 [K1, kfb] 6 times. 18 sts.
Round 2 [K2, kfb] 6 times. 24 sts.
Round 3 [K3, kfb] 6 times. 30 sts.
Round 4 [K4, kfb] 6 times. 36 sts.
Round 5 [K5, kfb] 6 times. 42 sts.
Round 6 [K6, kfb] 6 times. 48 sts.
Round 7 [K7, kfb] 6 times. 54 sts.
Round 8 [K8, kfb] 6 times. 60 sts.
Round 9 [K9, kfb] 6 times. 66 sts.
Round 10 [K10, kfb] 6 times. 72 sts.
Round 11 [K11, kfb] 6 times. 78 sts.
Round 12 [K12, kfb] 6 times. 84 sts.
Round 13 [K13, kfb] 6 times. 90 sts.
Round 14 [K14, kfb] 6 times. 96 sts. K every round for st-st until hat measures 8¾ in. (22.5 cm). Bind off.
TO FINISH
Join 6 rows at beg to make a stem, as shown top left. Weave in ends. Allow brim to roll.
ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE
Each hand warmer takes about 2 hours to knit: 4 hours total.
SIZE
Circumference: 8 in. (20 cm); length: 9½ in. (24.5 cm)
YOU WILL NEED
• 1 x 50 g (approx 1¾ oz.) ball of Coats Regia Multi Color 4-ply, shade 5295
• set of size US 2 (2¾ mm) double-pointed needles
• two short lengths of smooth, contrasting yarn
GAUGE
30 sts and 42 rows to 4 in. (10 cm) over st-st on size 2 (2¾ mm) needles. Change needle size, if necessary, to obtain this gauge.
ABBREVIATIONS
k = knit; st(s) = stitch(es); st-st = stockinette stitch.
ABOUT THIS YARN
This smooth 75% wool, 25% polyamide, super-fine yarn is specially dyed to create bands of patterning alternating with stripes of color when knitted. Each 50 g (approx. 1¾ oz.) ball has about 230 yds. (210 m).
TIPS
• If you have a set of 5 double- pointed needles, cast on 15 sts on each of 4 needles, join in a round, and complete the hand warmer as instructed.
• Knit a few rounds while traveling or waiting in line, and you’ll soon be finished.
LEFT HAND WARMER
Cast on 20 sts on each of 3 needles. 60 sts. Taking care not to twist sts on needles, join in a round and k every round in st-st until hand warmer measures 7 in. (18 cm).
Thumb-opening round K50; leaving a long end, cut yarn. Using a length of smooth contrasting yarn, k7, rejoin Regia, k3. K every round until warmer measures 9½ in. (24.5 cm). Bind off.
Thumb. Undo contrasting sts, slip the 7 sts onto a needle and the 6 loops from row above onto another needle.
Round 1 Using first needle, k7, using 2nd needle, pick up 2 sts from row ends, k3 loops, using 3rd needle, k remaining 3 loops, pick up 2 sts from row ends. 17 sts. K 12 rounds. Bind off loosely.
RIGHT HAND WARMER
Work, as given, for left hand warmer to thumb-opening round.
Thumb-opening round K3, leaving a long end, cut yarn, using a length of smooth contrasting yarn, k7, rejoin Regia, k 50. Complete, as given, for left hand warmer.
TO FINISH
Weave in ends. Press according to yarn label.
