10-01-2016

Note: The CO for the adult large calls for 155 sts, but all of the other sizes call for a multiple of 2. Both the slipped-stitch pattern and the 1x1 ribbing in the brim need a multiple of 2 in order to work, so I think this is either a typo, or a case where a size was calculated automatically without a test knit. At any rate, I cast on 154 sts.

Also, to make this work with the leftover yarn from Mr. Bee’s hat, which is equal quantities of two yarns, I’m doing the brim in the CC instead of the MC. That should balance out the amount of each yarn that’s needed for the hat. I hope.

16-01-2016

I don’t tend to like hats that gather in at the top with few decreases, all in the last few rounds — I like ones that curve to the shape of the head. I figured out that 154 sts was 7 groups of 22. When I reached the point where I wanted to start decreasing, working on a MC round, I placed markers every 22 sts, and did a round of k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog; then continued decreasing in that pattern every other round. (I rejigged the start of the round to be a column of non-slipped sts, so that the column of decreases would be one with the slipped sts.) After a few sets of those decreases I wanted to start gathering the hat crown faster, so I decided to start decreasing every round. On the rounds worked with CC, I worked to the last 2 sts before the marker, then with the next 2 sts on the left needle, I passed the 2nd st over the 2st st to emulate a K2tog, but then I slipped that st (always an MC st) to continue the stitch pattern. Very happy with how this turned out! It’s a much better fitting hat, I think, and the decreases look nice with the stitch pattern.

I really like that this pattern blends the two yarns together, in a way that’s more interesting than stripes, but it’s STRETCHY. I considered some stranded hats, but this is much stretchier. And yet, because it’s approaching a double layered fabric, it’s denser and therefore warmer than a single layered stockinette or ribbing. It’s a really comfy hat to wear!

Total yarn used, including the pom-pom, is 243.2 yards. The pom-pom is approx. 65 yards of that… Mr. Bee is undecided whether he wants the pom-pom, though he requested it!