This
hat is designed to show off the subtle striping achieved by using
fractal spinning (Mandelbrot being the mathematician who coined
the term “fractal.”*)
The brim is knit horizontally
in a simple, easily-memorized textured stitch and the crown is
picked up along the edge and quickly decreased for a flat-topped,
slightly slouchy hat. Top with a sizable coordinating pom-pom
for maximum impact.
*It has nothing really to do with the Mandelbrot set, though.
Unless, of course, you make matching mittens and a scarf. Badumching!
MATERIALS
Fiber Woolgatherings
Handpainted Yarn and Fibers [100% Blue Face Leicester Top] color: unnamed;
4.2 oz
Spinning Tool: Ashford
Kiwi [Scotch Tension], Ashford
Kiwi Jumbo Flyer and Bobbin
(used with regular whorl.)
Finished Yarn: Ply:
2 plies, plied from center-pull ball Wraps
per inch: 6 Yardage
used: approx 80 yards
Drafting Method: Some
sort of hodge-podge self-taught medium-draw,
worsted. Larger than inchworm, smaller
than long draw. The
fiber was prepped for fractal spinning,
which is described in more detail in
this article.
Commercial Yarn Alternative Malabrigo
Chunky, [100% merino wool; 3.5oz/104 yards]; 1 skein OR Mirasol Sulka, [60% merino, 20% alpaca, 20% silk; 50g/55 yards]; 2 skeins Note: Pompom shown is in Malabrigo Rios [100% superwash
merino, 100g/210 yards]; color “Lettuce”, less than 1 skein
Recommended needle size [always use a needle size that
gives you the gauge listed below --
every knitter's gauge is unique] 16-inch
US #10.75/7mm circular needle for working in the round: or DPNs,
1 extra-long circular or 2 circulars, as you prefer extra needle of similar size for 3-needle bind off
Tools pom
pom maker if desired yarn needle
GAUGE
13 sts/18 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette stitch
10 sts/14 rows = 4 inches in brim stitch
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
DIRECTIONS
Cast on 14 stitches.
Pattern row: [K2, p2] 3 times, k2.
Repeat Pattern row until piece measures
14.5[16, 17.5] inches unstretched (should
stretch comfortably to 20[22, 24] inches – if not, continue
until it does).
Work 2 more rows in pattern.
Bind off.
Seam the cast on and bound off edges together.
With RS facing, and using 16-inch circular needle, pick up and
knit 54[60, 66] stitches around one side
of the brim.
Distribute sts as you prefer and join for working in the round. Place
a marker for the start of round.
Knit 9 rounds.
Note: As you work the crown decreases, switch to DPNs, magic
loop or two circulars as circumference gets too small to work
comfortably on 16 inch needle.
Cut yarn leaving a 6-inch tail and draw through remaining stitches,
pull to close.
FINISHING
Weave in ends. Block very gently. If desired, make a pompom
and sew to crown of hat.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Alex knits, crochets, spins, and otherwise screws around and ignores
her wasted psychology degree over at dull-roar.com.
She enjoys cookies and dog-wrangling, but
not so much bio-writing.
