Knotty but Nice hat - Knitty: Winter 2009

by Natalie Larson

Just in time for the super cold weather, here's a manly but oh-so knotty cap.

Inspired by my hottie husband’s wild side: adventurous but protecting, fashionable but manly and naughty but nice. The same can be said for the hat: the ribbing is basic, but the cabled knot, well, it’s a bit knotty at times.

This hat is the perfect thank-you gift for the man or woman in your life that pretends not to notice that your stash is like guppies (constantly multiplying), and that once again you brought knitting to bed in scrubby jammies.

model: Tom Larson

photos: Natalie Larson

SIZE
One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Height: 7.5 inches
Circumference: 15 inches, unstretched
Will stretch to comfortably fit head circumference up to 24 inches.

MATERIALS
Yarn
Cascade 220 Superwash [100% Superwash Peruvian Highland Wool; 220yd/201m per 100g skein]; color: Color #841 Moss; 1 skein

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

Notions
Yarn needle
Stitch markers

GAUGE

20 sts/22 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch

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

C3BP: Slip next st to cable needle and hold to back of work; k2 from left needle, p1 from cable needle.

C3FP: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to front of work; p1 from left needle, k2 from cable needle.

C4B: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to back of work; k2 from left needle, k2 from cable needle.

C4F: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to front of work; k2 from left needle, k2 from cable needle.

C4BP: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to back of work; k2 from left needle, p2 from cable needle.

C4FP: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to front of work; p2 from left needle, k2 from cable needle.

DIRECTIONS
Using circular needle, CO 120 sts. Place marker and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.

Round 1: P1, k2, [p2, k2] to last st, p1.

This round sets 2x2 Rib for hat.

Continue in 2x2 Rib until work measures 1.25 inches.

Work Rounds 1-29 of chart. Chart pattern will be worked 5 times in each round.

Important Note: When working cable crossing at end of Round 15, it will be worked over last 2 sts of Round 15 and first 2 sts of Round 16. For this reason, you will not work the 2 k sts at the beginning of the first repeat of Round 16. When working this cable crossing, remember to place marker at center of crossing.

Work 7 rounds 2x2 Rib.

At end of last round, move marker 1 st to the right, so that rib pattern now begins with [p2].

Switching to double-point needles when necessary, shape crown as follows.

Round 1: [(P2, k2) twice, p2, k2tog] to end. 110 sts.

Round 2: [(P2, k2) twice, p2, k1] to end.

Round 3: [(P2, k2) twice, p1, k2tog] to end. 100 sts.

Round 4: [(P2, k2) twice, p1, k1] to end.

Round 5: [(P2, k2) twice, k2tog] to end. 90 sts.

Round 6: [(P2, k2) twice, k1] to end.

Round 7: [P2, k2, p2, k1, k2tog] to end. 80 sts.

Round 8: [P2, k2] to end.

Round 9: [P2, k2, p2, k2tog] to end. 70 sts.

Round 10: [P2, k2, p1, k2tog] to end. 60 sts.

Round 11: [P2, k2, k2tog] to end. 50 sts.

Round 12: [P2, k1, k2tog] to end. 40 sts.

Round 13: [P2, k2tog] to end. 30 sts.

Round 14: [P1, k2tog] to end. 20 sts.
Round 15: [K2tog] to end. 10 sts.

Break yarn, leaving a tail. Draw through remaining sts and pull tight.

FINISHING
Weave in ends and block lightly.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Natalie has recently begun designing and writing knitting patterns. It is an outlet that gives her a sense of purpose outside of her regular [and cherished!] roles of “Mommy” and “Wife”. Things she adores outside of knitting: Silence. Cooking. Classic Literature. Being Cold. Dark chocolate with a glass of red wine. Her darling husband. Her funny little human monkeys.

She blogs occasionally at strandsofme.blogspot.com and sells a few knitting related items on etsy (doesn’t everyone?). She is often on Ravelry as nlarson.