INTRODUCTION

Mightiest Oak

by Benjamin Krudwig

This chunky hat pattern is an easy knit with an unconventional brim. A garter stitch heart adorns the body of the hat.

The yarn and pattern symbolizes my sister and her family. In 2017, my sister gave birth to a baby boy named Oliver Alex Kalivas, who was diagnosed pre-natally with HLHS (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.) In the first few months of his life Ollie underwent 2 open heart surgeries. He became known as our mighty OAK, for his strength and resiliency.

The yarn, a three ply bubble crepe symbolizes my sister's family. The two skinny worsted singles (one S, and one Z ply) represent my sister and brother in law, while the woolen spun chunky core represents my nephew. My sister and brother in law provide structure, protection and strength for my nephew, just as the worsted singles provide these for the woolen core.

The hat is meant to look like an acorn, as the mightiest oaks grow from the smallest of seeds. The heart "carved" into the hat represents my nephew's heart condition and all that he has and will endure. It also represents every other child that suffers or has suffered from a heart condition.

My nephew is an ambassador for the Children's Hospital of Colorado, and donations to the hospital can be made in his name through this link. Any donations go to providing care to children and families in need.

model + photos: Benjamin Krudwig

SIZE

Adult S[M, L]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Circumference: 19[21, 23] inches / 48.5[53.5, 58.5] cm
shown in size
 M

For a snug fit make the size below your actual head measurement. For a loose fit, make the size closest to your head measurement.

MATERIALS

Yarn

Fiber
[Skinny worsted singles] Black Alpaca Roving; 4.5 ounces
[Thick and thin woolen single] Ashland Bay [Merino Top, carded into rolags]; color Sandalwood; 3.5 ounces

Finished yarn
Wraps per inch: 8
Ply: 3 (bubble crepe - I plied the two S singles together, and added a little extra twist, then spun the Z ply and remaining Z single together for the final yarn)
Yardage used: 110 - 150 Yards
YPP: 528 YPP
Drafting Method: thin singles were spun worsted, one S and one Z; thick and thin singles were spun woollen in S.

Notions
4 stitch markers
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
US H-8/5mm Crochet Hook (optional) – see FINISHING

GAUGE

14.5 sts/20 rounds = 4 inches/10cm in stockinette stitch

PATTERN NOTES

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

Techniques:

• chain stitch

DIRECTIONS

Brim
Using circular needle, CO 68[76, 84] sts. Place marker and join for working in the round.
Rounds 1-3: Knit.
Round 4: [K1, p1] around.
Round 5: [P1, k1] around.
Repeat Rounds 4-5 3[4, 6] more times.

Body
Rounds 1-6: Knit.
Round 7: K 30[34, 38] , pm, k3, p1, knit to end of round.
Rounds 8-9: Knit to marker, k2, p3, knit to end of round.
Rounds 10-11: Knit to marker, k1, p5, knit to end of round.
Rounds 12-13: Knit to marker, p7, knit to end of round.
Rounds 14-15: Knit to marker, p3, k1, p3, knit to end of round.
Round 16: Knit to marker, k1, p1, k3, p1, knit to end of round.
Round 17-22: Knit.
Round 23: (K 17[19, 21] , pm) around.

Crown Decreases
As hat gets too small to work on circular needle, change to your preferred method for small-circumference knitting. Depending on how you arrange your stitches, you might not need all four markers for the decrease sections – as long as you can keep track of the four groups of stitches, you're fine!

Round 1: [Knit to 2 sts before marker, ssk] around.
Round 2: [K2tog, knit to marker] around.

Repeat Rounds 1-2 until 4 sts rem.

Cut a long tail of yarn, thread onto needle, and pull through the last 4 sts to close top.

FINISHING

Optional: chain stitch or loosely embroider around the purl-bump heart to enhance the pattern.
Weave in ends, soak and lay flat to dry.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Benjamin Krudwig is a designer and fiber artist living in Colorado with his wife and two cats. He is drawn to nature, color, and all things fibery. His work can be seen in Spin-Off, Handwoven, Knitty, and other publications.

Find him online and on Instagram.

Pattern & images © 2018 Benjamin Krudwig.