INTRODUCTION

Wicked Thicket

by Clara Quintela

It was almost Halloween when my sister asked me to knit something warm for my two year-old nephew go outside and ask for candies. It was Luke’s first Halloween, and despite he is not allowed to eat candies, he was super excited with our excitement!

As we live in Montreal, Canada, end of October is always challenging, windy and chilly. So, I picked brioche stitch among my repertoire because of the warmth of its double thickness. I also considered its versatility.  I created this cosy reversible cute little hat in solid blue and semi solid mustard, his favourite colors, that can be worn both sides and increase the possibility of matching his clothes. As for the name, I got my inspiration from faery tales, where there are always wicked woods where magical creatures live and, as tricky as it sounds, its decreases, which are the key for its beauty, requires attention and care.

Finally, to make this pattern, I went for yarn in my local yarn store and pick two of local brands, taking in consideration not only its softness and bright colors, but also their twist and regularity, so important for the perfect definition of the “branches” in the motif.

model: Luke

photos: Cecília Quintela

SIZE

XS[S, M, L]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Head circumference: 15.75[17.5, 20, 21.25] inches/ 39[44, 51, 54] cm
Choose a size 1- 2 inches/2.5-5cm smaller than your actual head circumference

MATERIALS

Yarn
[MC] La Maison Tricotée CASA [100% wool; 200m per 100g skein]; color: Simone Veil; 1 skein
[CC] Artfil Aran [100% merino; 157m per 100g skein]; color: Sunflower; 1 skein

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #2.5/3mm circular needle, 16 inch/40cm
US #4/3.5mm circular needle, 16 inch/40cm
US #4/3.5mm needles for small circumference in the round: DPNs, 1 long circular or 2 short circulars

Notions
1 stitch marker

GAUGE

20 sts/28 rounds = 4 inches/10cm in stockinette stitch using 4mm needles (note: this gauge is provided to help with yarn substitution)
18 sts/26 rounds = 4 inches / 10 cm in brioche st with 3mm needles, not stretched

PATTERN NOTES

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

Sl1yo: slip the next st purlwise, while creating a yarnover, as follows:

• Between knit stitches: bring the yarn to the front, slip the next st purlwise; leave the yarn in front, ready to work the following stitch. When you knit the following st, the yarn will drape over the needle to create the yarnover, which will sit 'over' the stitch that you slipped.
• Between purl stitches: with the yarn in the front, slip the next st purlwise, take the yarn over the needle and all the way to the front again, ready to work the following stitch. The yarnover will drape over the needle and sit 'over' the stitch that you slipped.

brk: Brioche knit: knit the stitch and its accompany yarnover together.
brp: Brioche purl: purl the stitch and its accompany yarnover together.

Brkyobrk: Work (brk1, yo, brk1) into the next stitch. 2 sts increased.

brpLdd: Sl1 knitwise, p2tog, pass slipped st over st just knit. 2 sts decreased.
brpRdd: P2tog, sl1 knitwise, return both these sts to left needle without twisting; lift slipped st (leftmost of the two) over decrease st. Return the resulting st to the right needle. 2 sts decreased.

Note: when working decreases, and the ssk in the final round of the crown decreases, some of the two stitches will have accompanying yarnovers. When slipping these stitches in the decrease, slip the stitch and its yarnover together, and when working a k2tog or p2tog, make sure you catch the yarnover with the stitch.

CHARTS

DIRECTIONS

Using MC and smaller circular needle, CO 56[64, 72, 80] sts.

Set up round 1: Using MC, [k1, sl1yo] around.
Join CC.
Set up round 2: Using CC, [sl1yo, brp1] around.

Brioche Round 1: Using MC, [brk1, sl1yo] around.
Brioche Round 2: Using CC, [sl1yo, brp1] around.

Repeat Brioche Rounds 1-2 6[6, 8, 8] more times.

Change to larger circular needle.

Next round: Work Chart 14[16, 18, 20] times around. 84[96, 108, 120] sts after first round of chart is worked.

Work as set until you have completed the chart 2[2, 3, 3] times. 56[64, 72, 80] sts rem.
Work Brioche Rounds 1-2 3 times, and work Round 1 once more.

Crown Decreases
As hat gets too small to work comfortably on circular needle, change to your preferred small-circumference method.
See Pattern Notes on the decrease.

Size L start here:
Decrease setup round: Using CC, [sl1yo, brpLdd, (sl1yo, brp1) three times] around. 64 sts.
Work Brioche Rounds 1-2 3 times, and work Round 1 once more.

L continues, All other sizes start here
Decrease round 1: Using CC, [sl1yo, brpLdd, (sl1yo, brp1) twice] around. 42[48, 54, 48] sts.
Work Brioche Rounds 1-2 3 times, and work Round 1 once more.

Decrease round 2: Using CC, [sl1yo, brpLdd, sl1yo, brp1] around. 28[32, 36, 32] sts.
Work Brioche Rounds 1-2 3 times, and work Round 1 once more.

Decrease round 3: Using CC, [sl1yo, brpLdd] around. 14[16, 18, 16] sts.
Work Brioche Rounds 1-2, and work Round 1 once more.

Decrease round 4: Using CC, ssk around. 7[8, 9, 8] sts.

FINISHING

Cut both yarns, thread onto a yarn needle and pull both tails through the remaining sts. Pull tight to close.

Handwash hat to block and weave in ends

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

I'm a Brazilian knitter, artist and craftivist living in Canada since 2012. I live in the beautiful city of Montreal, where I teach knitting, embroidery, weaving and spinning classes. I collect dreams and stories to tell.

You can find her on Instagram and Facebook.

Pattern & images © 2018 Clara Quintela.