The Undergrowth hat is leafy. Wearing this hat, you might even
blend in if you were trying to hide in a shady garden. But why
hide?
Inspired by the hosta plants that I planted years ago and come
back each Spring despite my best effort to ignore the garden
in favor of more knitting time, this hat is an ode to their tenacity.
Hidden underground all winter, the good old hostas surprise me
each year, part of the garden undergrowth.
The hat starts with a double braid -- because if one braid is
great, two are fantastic. After increases
for snugness, the leaf-inspired motif begins, appearing as if
from nowhere. Neat lines of decreases are vines of the plant,
incorporated in a way that gives this hat both a naturalistic
feel, but also something very geometric.
MATERIALS
Yarn
Brown
Sheep Nature Spun Sport [100% wool;
184yd/168m per 50g skein]; 1 skein
each color [MC] #103S Deep Sea [CC] #N03S Grey Heather
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] 1
set double-point needles and 16 inch circular needle in sizes
given below: Child: US#2/2.75mm Adult Medium: US#3/3.25mm Adult Large: US#4/3.5mm
Notions Yarn
needle Stitch marker
GAUGE
Each size is worked at a different
gauge. Child: 30 sts/30 rows = 4” in chart pattern Adult Medium: 28 sts/28 rows = 4” in chart pattern Adult Large: 26 sts/26 rows = 4” in chart pattern
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
S2KP: Using color indicated, 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. This forms
a centered double decrease.
Knitted Braid: Note: When working braid, both strands
of yarn are held to the RS of the work. Round 1: Using MC, p1; *cross CC over
MC, p1 using CC; cross MC over CC, p1 using MC; repeat from *
to last st, cross CC over MC, p1 using CC. Round 2: Using MC, p1; *cross CC under
MC, p1 using CC; cross MC under CC, p1 using MC; repeat from
* to last st, cross CC under MC, p1 using CC.
Instructions for the Long-Tail Cast On can be found here.
Charts The chart for this pattern is very large and fits on a letter-sized
page.
Click here and print the resulting
page.
DIRECTIONS
With circular needle and MC, CO 112 sts using Long Tail Cast
On. Do not join.
Set-up Row [RS]: [K1 using MC, k1 using CC] to end of row.
Place marker and join to begin working in the round, being careful not
to twist.
Work Rounds 1-2 of Knitted Braid.
Next Round: Work as for Set-up Row.
Work Rounds 1-2 of Knitted Braid.
Next Round: Using MC, [k3, kfb] to end of round. 140 sts.
Work Rounds 1-59 of chart pattern, decreasing as indicated and
switching to double-point needles when necessary. Note that chart
pattern is worked five times in each round.
When all rounds of chart are complete, 10 sts remain. Break
both strands of yarn. Draw MC yarn tail through remaining sts
and pull tight.
FINISHING
Weave in ends and block as desired.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Mandy Powers lives and knits with her husband
and two kids in North Carolina. Her first
book -- The Red Collection -- was published
in October 2010. The book is available,
along with her other designs, on her
website.
