INTRODUCTION

Nuthatch Hat

by Rachel Brockman

Designed to complement the Nuthatch cardigan, this hat is inspired by all of the same things. The cable panel, however, is the inverse of the panels featured in the cardigan, allowing the cable to flow seamlessly into the crown shaping.

This hat is worked in the round from the bottom up. The brim features 2x2 rib worked in a contrast color. The body of the hat features basketweave cables and a cable panel that extends into the crown.

Nuthatch is lightweight, making it perfect for the autumn, however; the blend of alpaca and wool in Kingston tweed pair with the dense basketweave cables ensure your ears stay warm on even the chilliest of days.

model: Alejandra Ibarra

photos: Rachel Brockman

SIZE

Adult Small[Adult Medium, Adult Large]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Circumference: 17.75[19.75, 22.5] inches/ 45[50, 57] cm
Stretches to approximately 21.5[23.5, 26.25] inches/ 54[59.5, 67] cm
Length: 7.75[8.5, 9] inches/ 19.5[21.5, 23] cm

Note: see PATTERN NOTES for suggestions on which size to knit

MATERIALS

Yarn
Fibra Natura Kingston Tweed [50% wool, 25% alpaca, 25% mixed fiber; 194 yds per 50]
[MC] 105 Ochre – 1 skein (all sizes) or 145[165, 188] yards / 133[151, 172] m
[CC] 108 Amethyst – 1 skein or 70[77, 85] yards / 64[71, 78] m

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #4/3.5mm 16 inch/40cm circular
US #6/4mm 16 inch/40cm circular needle and your preferred needles for knitting small circumferences in the round

Notions
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Cable needle

GAUGE

27 sts/30 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in (k2, p2) rib with smaller needle
26 sts/30 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in Stockinette stitch with larger needle
35 sts/39 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in Basketweave Cables pattern with larger needles

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

This hat is intended to be worn with negative ease. To determine your size, measure the circumference of your head at the widest point, from the most prominent part of the forehead (approx 1.5 inches/3.75 cm above the eyebrow) around to the widest part of the back of the head. Select a size with 1-3 inches/2.5-8 cm of negative ease.

Techniques:

• 2/2 LC: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front; k2, then k2 from cable needle.
• 2/2 RC: Slip next 2 sts to cn and hold in back; k2, then k2 from cable needle.
• Right Twist (RT): K2tog but do not slip st from needle, knit the first st again, slip both sts from needle.
• Left Twist (LT): Knit the second st on the left needle through the back loop leaving it on the needle, knit the first st through the front loop, slip both sts from needle.

CHARTS

Hat Panel – Panel of 19 sts
Rnd 1: P3, 2/2 LC, k2, p1, k2, 2/2 RC, p3.
Rnds 2 & 4: P3, [k6, p1] 2 times, p2.
Rnd 3: P3, k2, 2/2 LC, p1, 2/2 RC, k2, p3.

Basketweave Cables – Multiple of 4 sts, plus 2.
Rnd 1: K2, *2/2 LC; rep from * to end.
Rnds 2 & 4: Knit.
Rnd 3: *2/2 RC; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Hat Panel Decreases – Begins as panel of 19 sts.
Rnd 1: P3, 2/2 LC, k2, p1, k2, 2/2 RC, p3.
Rnd 2: P3, ssk, k4, p1, k4, k2tog, p3. 17 sts rem.
Rnd 3: P3, k1, 2/2 LC, p1, 2/2 RC, k1, p3.
Rnd 4: P3, ssk, k3, p1, k3, k2tog, p3. 15 sts rem.
Rnd 5: P3, 2/2 LC, p1, 2/2 RC, p3.
Rnd 6: P3, ssk, k2, p1, k2, k2tog, p3. 13 sts rem.
Rnd 7: P3, k1 LT, p1, RT, k1, p3.
Rnd 8: P3, ssk, k1, p1, k1, k2tog, p3. 11 sts rem.
Rnd 9: P3, k2, p1, k2, p3.
Rnd 10: P3, ssk, p1, k2tog, p3. 9 sts rem.
Rnd 11: P3, k1, p1, k1, p3.
Rnd 12: P3, p3tog, p3. 7 sts rem.
Rnd 13: Purl.
Rnd 14: P2, p3tog, p2. 5 sts rem.
Rnd 15: Purl.
Rnd 16: P1, p3tog, p1. 3 sts rem.
Rnd 17: P3tog. 1 st rem.

DIRECTIONS

HAT Brim
With smaller needle and CC, CO 120[132, 152] sts. Place marker and join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist.

Ribbing rnd: [K2, p2] around.

Work ribbing as set until piece measures 1.5[1.75, 2] inches/ 4[4.5, 5] cm from cast-on edge.
Inc Rnd: K1, [m1, k3] 14[16, 14] times, [m1, k4] 9[9, 17] times, [m1, k3] 13[15, 13] times, m1, k2 – 37[41, 45] sts increased. 157[173, 197] sts.
Next Rnd: P19, pm, purl to end. Change to MC.
Next Rnd: Knit.
Next Rnd: Purl.

Change to larger needle.

Cable Section
Set-up Rnd: P3, k6, p1, k6, p3, pm, knit to end.
Pattern rnd: Work Hat Panel to m, sl m, work Basketweave Cables to end.
Work until piece measures 4[4.25, 4.5] inches/ 10[11, 11.5] cm from cast-on edge, ending with Rnd 1 or 3 of Basketweave Cables patt.

Adult Small Size Only:
Dec Rnd: Work next rnd of Hat Panel to m, sl m, k1, [k2tog, k1] 17 times, [k2tog, k2] 9 times, [k2tog, k1] 16 times, k2tog – 43 sts decreased. 114 sts rem.

Adult Medium Size Only:
Dec Rnd: Work next rnd of Hat Panel to m, sl m, k1, [k2tog, k2] 17 times, [k2tog, k1] 5 times, [k2tog, k2] 17 times, k2tog – 40 sts decreased. 133 sts rem.

Adult Large Size Only:
Dec Rnd: Work next rnd of Hat Panel to m, sl m, k1, k2tog, k1, [k2tog, k2] 43 times, k2tog – 45 sts decreased. 152 sts rem.

All Sizes:
Next Rnd: Purl.

Stockinette Section
Rnd 1: Work next rnd of Hat Panel to m, knit to end.
Cont as established until piece measures 5.5[6, 6.5] inches/ 14[15, 16.5] cm from cast-on edge, ending with Rnd 3 of Hat Panel.

Shape Crown
Note: As circumference gets too small for circular needle, change to your preferred method for small circumference knitting.
Set-up Rnd: Work Hat Panel chart Rnd 4 to m, sl m, [k19, pm] 4[5, 6] times, purl to end.
Rnd 1: Work Hat Panel Decreases to m, k to end of rnd.
Rnd 2: Work Hat Panel Decreases to m, [k2, ssk, k to 4 sts before marker, k2tog, k2] to end. 12[14, 18] sts decreased.

Repeat Rnds 1-2, decreasing in both chart and stockinette sections every other round, on even-numbered chart rounds, until you have completed Rnd 13 of the chart. 42[29, 56] sts.

Next rnd: Work Hat Panel Decreases chart Rnd 14 to m, [k2, S2KPO, k2] 5[6, 7] times. You can remove all markers but for the start of round marker on this round. 30[35, 40] sts.
Next rnd: Work Hat Panel Decreases chart Rnd 15 to m, k to end of rnd.
Next rnd: Work Hat Panel Decreases chart Rnd 16 to m, [k1, S2KPO, k1] 5[6, 7] times. 18[21, 24] sts
Next rnd: Work Hat Panel Decreases chart Rnd 17 to m, S2KPO 5[6, 7] times. 6[7, 8] sts.

Cut yarn leaving approx. 8 inch/20 cm tail. Pull through remaining live sts and pull taut to close.

FINISHING

Soak finished hat in cool water with a bit of soap, if desired. Remove from water, place on a towel, and roll the towel up to absorb the excess water. Unroll towel and place hat on a flat surface, patting it into shape. Let dry. Weave in ends.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Rachel Brockman is a creative lead for Universal Yarn and also designs independently. When she isn't knitting, she's probably playing with her pups, climbing, or watching John Carpenter's The Thing for the millionth time with her husband.

You can find her on Ravelry as or Instagram as Rachbrocknits.

Pattern & images © 2019 Rachel Brockman.