Do
you like bobbles? Then this may be the hat for you.
Its textured
look is formed by alternating purled bobbles with vertical knit
lines. Those bobbles are worked in an uncommon and interesting
way. Yarn overs help you to increase 5 stitches out of 1. After
a few rows, those 5 stitches are deceased back to 1 again. It’s
real fun to do!
I first saw this kind of bobbles in a picture of a Peruvian
girl wearing a knitted cap. I was intrigued to find out how these
bobbles were made. After I did, they inspired me to design a
bobbly hat of my own.
I named it Tortora, after the reed that grows around
Lake Titicaca where the Peruvian girl was pictured.
The vertical stitches look like reed and the bobbles
like their fluffy flowers.
models: Emma
and Sandra (and Bento and Sira the horses) photos:
Theo
Egberts
Beige
beanie: Lana
Grossa Alta Moda Alpaca [90% baby alpaca,
5% virgin merino wool, 5%
polyamide; 153yd/140m per 50g skein]; color: #11 Beige; 1 skein
Purple slouchy toque: Phildar
Phil’Bambou [100% viscose bamboo, 89yd/82m per
50g skein]; color: #13 Violine; 3 skeins Note: Hat was worked using two strands of
yarn held together.
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] 1
set US #7/4.5mm double-point needles 1 16-inch US #7/4.5mm circular needle Note: The same size
needles were used for both hats shown,
though they were worked at different
gauges. The gauge you get will depend
both on the needle size used and the
qualities of the yarn used – be
sure to swatch!
Notions Stitch
marker Yarn needle
GAUGE
Beanie:
16 sts/26 rows = 4" in stockinette st
Slouchy toque:
15 sts/20 rows = 4” in stockinette st Note: Hat shown was worked using two
strands of yarn held together.
PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations
and techniques can be found here.]
The organic texture of the hats shown
was created by working bobbles at irregular
intervals. The chart indicates placement
of bobbles.
increase 4: [P1, yo, p1, yo, p1] into next st. 1 st increased
to 5 sts.
decrease 4: Slip next 2 sts together, knitwise, as if to work
a k2tog. Knit next st, then pass both slipped sts together over
st just knit. K2tog, then pass previous stitch over stitch just
worked. 5 sts decreased to 1 st.
Charts
The chart for this pattern is very large and fits on a letter-sized page.
Click here and print the resulting
page.
DIRECTIONS
Using circular needle, CO 72 sts. Place marker and join to begin
working in the round, being careful not to twist.
Rounds 1-7: [P1, k1] to end.
Work Rounds 1- 36 of chart, increasing and decreasing as shown
to create bobble texture. 72 sts when all rounds of chart are
complete.
Switching to double-point needles when necessary, shape crown
as follows: Rounds 1-3: [P3, k1] to end.
Round 4: [P1, p2tog, k1] to end. 54 sts.
Rounds 5-7: [P2, k1] to end.
Round 8: [P2tog, k1] to end. 36 sts.
Rounds 9-11: [P1, k1] to end.
Round 12: [K2tog] to end. 18 sts.
Round 13: K all sts.
Round 14: [K2tog] to end. 9 sts.
Round 15: K all sts.
Break yarn, draw through remaining sts
and pull tight.
FINISHING
Weave in ends.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Thelma Egberts is a Dutch knitter, freelance
journalist and casual knitwear designer. Nature and ethnic cultures
are what inspire her most.
