The brim of this hat is knitted first, in garter stitch; then the stitches are picked up and the crown worked in stockinette stitch. The brim is shaped by knitting part of a row, then turning the work and knitting back. Each time, the number of stitches to work and the number left after turning are given. Don’t be put off by the “yf”s and “yb”s; this just means bringing the yarn to the front of the work as if to purl, slipping a stitch, and taking the yarn to the back of the work again to anchor it around the stitch.
ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE
The hat took around 13 hours; finishing up and making the flower took 1 additional hour: 14 hours total.
ABOUT THIS YARN
Rowan Yorkshire Tweed DK is a 100% pure new wool yarn with approximately 123 yds. (113 m) to a 50 g (approx 1¾ oz.) ball. It is made from two softly twisted strands plied together and has little flecks in several shades contrasting with the main color.
SIZE
Around head: 22 in. (56 cm). This hat will fit an average woman’s head.
YOU WILL NEED
• 3 x 50 g balls (approx 1¾ oz.) of Rowan Yorkshire Tweed DK in Revel, shade 342
• pair of size US 3 (3¼ mm) knitting needles
GAUGE
23 sts and 38 rows to 4 in. (10 cm) over gst on size US 3 (3¼ mm) needles. Change needle size, if necessary, to obtain this gauge.
ABBREVIATIONS
beg = beginning; dec = decrease; gst = garter st; k = knit; kfb = k into front and back of st; p = purl; RS = right side; skpo = slip 1, k1, pass slip st over; sl = slip; st(s) = stitch(es); st-st = stockinette st; tog = together; yb = yarn to back of work; yf = yarn to front of work; [ ] = work instructions in square brackets as directed.
NOTES
• The gauge for the hat is tighter than usual for Yorkshire Tweed DK, because the hat fabric needs to be firm.
• Working yf before and yb after the slipped stitch anchors the yarn around the stitch and closes the hole made by turning the work.
• It’s easier to count the number of sections in the brim if you mark each group of 12 turning rows.
BRIM
Cast on 40 sts.
Rows 1 and 2 K40.
Row 3 K22, yf, sl 1, yb, turn and leave 17 sts.
Row 4 Sl 1, yb, k22.
Rows 5 and 6 K40.
Row 7 K12, yf, sl 1, yb, turn and leave 27 sts.
Row 8 Sl 1, yb, k12.
Rows 9 and 10 K40.
Row 11 K22, yf, sl 1, yb, turn and leave 17 sts.
Row 12 Sl 1, yb, k22.
Work these 12 rows 28 more times. K 2 rows. Bind off.
CROWN
Pick up 130 sts from short edge of brim. Beg p row, st-st 25 rows.
Shape top. Dec Row 1 (RS) K1, [k2tog, k12, skpo] 8 times, k1. 114 sts. St-st 7 rows.
Dec Row 2 K1, [k2tog, k10, skpo] 8 times, k1. 98 sts. St-st 5 rows.
Dec Row 3 K1, [k2tog, k8, skpo] 8 times, k1. 82 sts. St-st 5 rows.
Dec Row 4 K1, [k2tog, k6, skpo] 8 times, k1. 66 sts. St-st 3 rows.
Dec Row 5 K1, [k2tog, k4, skpo] 8 times, k1. 50 sts. St-st 3 rows.
Dec Row 6 K1, [k2tog, k2, skpo] 8 times, k1. 34 sts. P 1 row.
Dec Row 7 K1, [k2tog, skpo] 8 times, k1. 18 sts. P 1 row.
Dec Row 8 K1, [k2tog, skpo] 4 times, k1. 10 sts. P 1 row.
Leaving a long end, cut yarn. Thread end through sts at top of hat, draw up, and secure.
FLOWER
Picot-ring center. Make a slip knot on left needle. Using two needles, [cast on 3 sts, bind off 3 sts] 5 times, pick up and k 1 st from first st and bind off 1 st, so leaving 1 st on needle. Transfer this st to left needle.
1st petal Cast on 1 st. 2 sts.
Row 1 K1, kfb. 3 sts.
Row 2 K3.
Row 3 K2, kfb. 4 sts.
Row 4 K4.
Row 5 K3, kfb. 5 sts.
Rows 6, 7, 8, and 9 K.
Row 10 K2tog, k3. 4 sts.
Row 11 K4.
Row 12 K2tog, k2. 3 sts.
Row 13 K3.
Row 14 K2tog, k1.
Row 15 K2.
Row 16 K2tog.
One st on right needle. Pick up and k 1 st from between next 2 picots and bind off 1 st.
Transfer remaining st to left needle and work 4 more petals in this way. Fasten off. For a bigger flower, simply work another round of petals.
Firm knitting in pure wool gives an almost felted, sculptural quality to this dramatic hat.
TO FINISH
Join back seam of crown and brim of hat. Fold 11 rows just before start of shaping in half and sew to make a tuck, enclosing strands of spare yarn to stiffen the tuck. Fold up brim and sew on flower. Weave in yarn ends.