INTRODUCTION

Wild Fields

by Kaleidoscope Knits

I have always loved the fields of my home state of Oklahoma. One of my favorite things is to watch the wind sweep through the long blades of grass. It blows them in a way that the landscape seems to transform into an ocean with billowing waves. Those fields of waving grass inspired my pattern, Wild Fields.

A unique feature of this pattern is that it can be used to make either a hat or a headband. The headband is narrower in the back than in the front. This reduces the bulkiness of the fabric and keeps it from bunching up in the back (which is a blessing for those of us with thick hair!) It is knit on the bias with a built-in i cord border which gives it a nice, clean edge. The center incorporates a design that invokes the grass and flowers of the wild fields of Oklahoma.

If you want to make the headband into a complete hat, you've got a little more knitting to do. The hat portion is created by picking up and knitting stitches along the inside edge of the i-cord border. The body features a very simple lace pattern which recalls wild flowers. Since the headband is thinner in the back, it automatically creates the perfect slouch. This will give the final hat a relaxed look as opposed to a fitted beanie.

model: Beth Ashford, Mary Oaxaca, Chrysta Sanchez

photos: Beth Ashford

SIZE

 S[M, L]
Fits head circumferences 20[22, 24] inches/ 51[56, 61] cm

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Circumference:  18[20, 22] inches/ 46[51, 56] cm
Height:  7.5[8.5, 10] inches/ 19[21.5, 25] cm

Note: Choose a size with about 2 inches of negative ease in the band circumference.

MATERIALS

Yarn
Malabrigo Rios [100% Superwash Merino Wool; 210 yd/192m per 100g skein];
[MC] Cirrus Gray;
[CC] Indiecita

Yarn Characteristics:
The sample shown uses a worsted-weight 4-ply Merino wool yarn. The main color of the hat body is a semi solid yarn that coordinates with the contrasting color of the brim, which is a variegated colorway.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #6/4mm circular needle, 16 inch/40 cm long
US #6/4mm needles for small circumference in the round: traditional or flexible DPNs, 1 long
circular for magic loop, or two shorter circulars

Notions
waste yarn and crochet hook for provisional cast on
ring stitch marker
yarn needle

GAUGE

20 sts/28 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch
18 sts/23 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in lace pattern stitch

PATTERN NOTES

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

Wild Fields is knitted with the headband first and then picking up stitches along the i-cord border for the hat body. Sizing adjustments can be made in the sections before/after the first/last flower stitches. To increase the size, add additional repeats of rows 5 and 6. To decrease the size, remove repeats of the rows. The lace pattern of the hat is repeated over a multiple of 10 sts.

This project uses a provisional cast on. Use your preferred provisional cast on technique; directions for one technique may be found here.

Grafting: photo tutorial | video tutorial

Flower stitch: Insert right hand needle into the stitch four rows below and draw through a loop, leave loop on right hand needle and knit 2, make a second loop into the same stitch below, knit 2, make a third loop into the same stitch below. This will increase the stitch count on this row by three stitches per flower. On the following row these loops will be purled together with a regular stitch, returning your stitch count to normal. To ensure that your fabric does not gather, the loops should be pulled loosely through allowing for plenty of slack in the yarn.

CHARTS

Body of Hat pattern
Round 1: [K5, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk] around.
Round 2: [K7, slp 1, k2] around.
Rounds 3-4: Repeat Rounds 2-3 once more.

Round 5: [K2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5] around.
Round 6: [K2, slp 1, k7] around.
Rounds 7-8: Repeat Rounds 6-7 once more.

Crown pattern
Work from charted or written instructions as you prefer.

DIRECTIONS

Headband
Using waste yarn, CO 8 stitches with a provisional cast on method. Join CC.

Section One
Row 1 [RS]: Knit
Row 2 [WS]: Purl
Row 3 [RS]: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, knit to last 4 sts, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1. 1 st increased.
Row 4: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, purl to last 3 sts, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif.
Rows 5-10: Repeat Rows 3-4 3 more times. 12 sts

Row 11: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1.
Row 12 : Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, purl to last 3 sts, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif.

Repeat Rows 11-12 0[2, 4] more times.

Work Rows 3-4 twice. 14 sts
Work Rows 11-12 twice.

Next Row [RS]: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog, Flower Stitch, k1, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1. 17 sts
Next Row [WS]: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, p3, [p2tog, p1] two times, p2tog, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif. 14 sts
Work Rows 3-4 twice. 16 sts.
Work Rows 11-12 twice.

Next Row: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog, k3, Flower Stitch, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1. 19 sts
Next Row: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, p2, [p2tog, p1] three times, p2, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif. 16 sts

Piece should measure 4.5[4.75, 5] in / 11.5[12, 13] cm long, and when lightly stretched should measure from the nape of the neck to the middle of the left ear. If you need to increase the length, repeat Rows 11-12, ending on Row 12.

Section Two
Row 1 [RS]: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog, Flower Stitch, k3, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1. 19 sts
Row 2: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, p5, [p2tog, p1] two times, p2tog, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif. 16 sts

Row 3: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, knit to last 4 sts, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1. 1 st increased.
Row 4: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, purl to last 3 sts, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif.

Rows 5-6: Repeat Rows 3-4 once more. 18 sts

Row 7: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1.
Row 8: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, purl to last 3 sts, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif.

Rows 9-10: Repeat Rows 7-8 once more.

Row 11 [RS]: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog, k5, Flower Stitch, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1. 21 sts
Row 12 [WS]: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, p2, [p2tog, p1] three times, p4, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif. 18 sts
Rows 13-14: Work Rows 7-8 once more.

Row 15 [RS]: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog, Flower Stitch, k5, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1. 21 sts
Row 16: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, p7, [p2tog, p1] two times, p2tog, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif.

Rows 17: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1.
Row 18: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, purl to last 3 sts, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif

Rows 19-22: Work Rows 17-18 2 more times.

Row 23 [RS]: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog, k5, Flower Stitch, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1. 21 sts
Row 24: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, p2, [p2tog, p1] three times, p4, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif. 18 sts

Rows 25-26: Work Rows 17-18 once.

Row 27 [RS]: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog, Flower Stitch, k5, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1. 21 sts
Row 28: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, p7, [p2tog, p1] two times, p2tog, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif.  18 sts

Rows 29-32: Work Rows 17-18 twice.

Row 33: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog, k1, Flower Stitch, k4, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1. 21 sts.
Row 34: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, p6, [p2tog, p1] three times, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif. 18 sts

Rows 35-38: Work Rows 17-18 twice.

Repeat Rows 23-38 until the piece measures 15.5[17.25, 19] ins / 39.5[44, 48] cm or, when lightly stretched, reaches the middle of the right ear. If needed to increase the length, repeat Rows 17-18, ending with Row 18.

Section Three
Row 1 [RS]: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog, k3, Flower Stitch, k2, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1. 21 sts
Row 2 [WS]: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, p4, [p2tog, p1] three times, p2, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif. 18 sts

Row 3: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog, Flower Stitch, k5, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1. 21 sts
Row 4: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, p7, [p2tog, p1] two times, p2tog, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif. 18 sts
Row 5: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog 2 times, knit to last 4 sts, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1. 1 st decreased.
Row 6: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, purl to last 3 sts, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif.

Rows 7-8: Repeat Rows 5-6 once more. 16 sts

Rows 9: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog, knit to the last 4 sts, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1.
Row 10: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, purl to last 3 sts, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif.
Rows 11-12: Work Rows 9-10 once more.

Row 13: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog, Flower Stitch, k3, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1. 19 sts
Row 14: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, p5, [p2tog, p1] two times, p2tog, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif. 16 sts
Rows 15-18: Work Rows 5-6 twice. 14 sts

Row 19: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog, knit to the last 4 sts, kfb, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1.
Row 20: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, purl to last 3 sts, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif.

Repeat Rows 19-20 1[3, 5] times more.
Work Rows 5-6 until you have 10 sts.

Next Row: K1, slp 1 wyif, k1, k2tog twice, k1, slp 1 wyif, k1. 8 sts
Next Row: Slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif, purl to last 3 sts, slp 1 wyif, k1, slp 1 wyif.
Cut yarn, leaving 10-12 in/ 25-30 cm tail.

Undo provisional cast on and return sts to a spare needle. With RS facing, graft ends together.

Weave in ends.

Hat body
With the right side facing you, join MC yarn at the back of the headband (above the grafted join) use 16 inch/40 cm circular needle to pick up and knit 65[70, 75] sts along the inside edge of the right hand i-cord border.

Place marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Setup Round: [M1l, k1] to end. 130[140, 150] sts

Next round: Work Body of Hat pattern around from chart or written instructions.

Repeat Rounds 1-8 of Body of Hat pattern until the piece measures approximately 6[8, 10] inches / 15[20.25, 25] cm from the bottom edge of the brim on the back side of the hat, ending with Round 8 of the pattern.

Crown decreases
Note: As you work decreases, change to needles for small circumference when hat gets too small for circular needle.

Next round: Work Crown pattern around from chart or written instructions.

When Crown pattern is complete, 13[14, 15] sts remain.

Final Round: [K2tog] to last 1[0, 0] sts, k 1[0, 0] . 7[7, 8] sts

FINISHING

Cut yarn leaving an 8 inch/20 cm tail. Weave yarn through the last stitches and pull tight.  Wash and squeeze most of the water out. To open the lace, stretch the hat over a small dinner plate (around 8.5 in / 21.5 cm in diameter) or an inflated balloon and allow it to dry. Weave in ends.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Beth began knitting almost a decade ago, after her youngest child was born. She was previously a scrapbooker, but with a preschooler and a newborn, she needed something that would stow easily when she needed to run after a child. So she bought a book and taught herself to knit!

Later, she worked for two and a half years at a local yarn shop before the owner retired. She loved her time there and learned so much. With the knowledge she gained there, she became interested in teaching and pattern writing. She loves the creativity of designing and the joy of sharing something she's passionate about with others.

Find her on Ravelry, Instagram and her website.

Pattern & images © 2021 Kaleidoscope Knits