Slouchy Seed Stitch Hat
A snug ribbed brim that opens into a roomy seed stitch body. The Increase Evenly tool writes the tricky round for you.
- Yarn
- Worsted (4); about 1.25 skeins for adult sizes.
- Needles
- US 6 (4 mm) and US 8 (5 mm) 16 in (40 cm) circulars; US 8 DPNs
- Sizes
- Any size from preemie to adult large. Use the Finished hat and Height columns of the hat size chart. Slouch adds about 2.5 in height. Example: adult medium.
- Example gauge
- 18 sts and 30 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in seed stitch on US 8
- Yarn needed
- About 210 yd (190 m) worsted for adult medium (seed + slouch).
- Stitch multiple
- 8 for the body; 2 for the brim
Do the math
The examples use the gauge above. Put your own swatch into the gauge calculator first, then use your numbers in each formula.
| Step | Formula | Example | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brim stitches | finished hat circumference × sts per in, rounded to even | 21.5 × 4.5 = 96.75 → 96 sts | Cast-On Calculator |
| Body stitches | brim sts × 1.15, rounded to a multiple of 8 | 96 × 1.15 = 110.4 → 112 sts | By hand |
| Increase round | brim sts → body sts | 96 → 112: the tool writes it out | Increase & Decrease Evenly |
| Total height | chart height + 2.5 in | 8.5 + 2.5 = 11 in | Size Charts |
Materials
- Worsted (4) yarn (see yarn needed)
- US 6 (4 mm) and US 8 (5 mm) 16 in (40 cm) circulars; US 8 DPNs
- Marker
- Tapestry needle
Gauge swatch
Seed stitch swatch on the larger needle.
Instructions
Brim
With smaller needle, cast on the brim count. Join. Rnd 1: *K1, p1; rep from * to end. Work 1.5 in (4 cm).
Increase
Change to larger needle. Work the increase round from the Increase & Decrease Evenly (Knitting, In the round, stitches now = brim, stitches wanted = body).
Body
Rnd 1: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 2: *P1, k1; rep from * to end.
Repeat these 2 rounds until the hat measures total height minus 3.5 in (example: 7.5 in).
Crown
Rnd 1: *Work 12 sts in pattern, k2tog; rep from * 7 more times (for 112 sts; in general, section − 2 sts, then k2tog).
Rnd 2: Work in pattern as the stitches appear.
Repeat, working 1 fewer stitch before each k2tog, until 16 sts remain. K2tog around. Draw yarn through.
Finishing
- Weave in ends.
- Block over a plate to set the slouch.
Designer’s notes
- If seed stitch goes out of line in the crown, just knit the knits and purl the purls as they appear.
- Want a beret? Increase to brim × 1.3 instead of × 1.15.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: rounds (resets at the crown). Counter 2: crown decrease rounds.
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Tools for this pattern
- Gauge CalculatorEnter your swatch counts to get stitches and rows per 4 in (10 cm).
- Cast-On CalculatorEnter your width and gauge; it rounds to the stitch multiple for you.
- Increase & Decrease EvenlyEnter stitches now and stitches wanted; copy the written row it gives you.
- Size ChartsLook up the finished measurements for the size you are making.
- Yarn Quantity CalculatorPick the project, size and yarn weight to get total yardage and skeins to buy.
- Row & Stitch CounterSet up the counters listed below; the screen stays awake while you work.