On a quest for a versatile hat pattern? Look no
further… here
is your quest answered in two different
ways. Both versions are
worked from the top down with short row shaping.
Quest
#1 [shown in blue] is worked solely in
stockinette stitch with a jaunty brim
-- a lean cloche.
Quest #2 [shown in rust] is worked in
a honeycomb stitch to give it texture
and depth -- a stylish, snug toque.
Quest
looks great on lots of different heads!
Have big hair (like me?) All you have to do is work a few
more increases and your hair will fit! What quest are you
on?
model: Ms.
Baxter photos: Laura
Nelkin
SIZE
S [M, L] (shown in size M)
Quest should fit snugly. Choose a size that is
at least an 1.5
inches smaller than your actual
head circumference.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
17.5[19, 20.5] inches
MATERIALS
Yarn
Quest
#1 blue-green version [shown above] Schaefer Yarn
Miss Priss [100% merino wool; 240yd/220m per 112g skein]; color:
Spruce; 1 skein
Quest #2, brown-gold version [shown below] Schaefer Yarn Chris [80% extrafine
merino wool/ 20% nylon; 215yd/196m per
112g skein]; color: Julia Child; 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 #6/4mm double-point needles OR 1
longer US #6/4mm long circular needle
for magic loop method AND 16
length-inch US #5/3.75mm circular needle 16
length-inch US #6/4mm circular needle 16
length-inch US #7/4.5mm circular needle
Notions Stitch
marker Optional,
for both versions: fun large button or pin
GAUGE
22 sts/28 rounds = 4 inches
in stockinette stitch, blocked on US #6/4mm needles.
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
Both versions of Quest are worked from the top down with worsted
weight yarn at a tight gauge to
help the hat cling to your head.
For the cloche fit, short
rows are worked to help lengthen the
front of the hat.
m1r - with tip of left needle, pick up bar
running between sts from back to front, knit it from the front
loop.
Casting on a small number of stitches in
the round: visit this
page for helpful information
and a video tutorial
Wrap & Turn [W&T] – To wrap and turn on a RS row,
knit to point specified in pattern,
bring yarn to front of work between
needles, slip next stitch to right-hand
needle, bring yarn around this stitch
to back of work, slip stitch back to
left-hand needle, turn work to begin
purling back in the other direction.
To wrap and turn on a WS row,
purl to point specified in pattern,
bring yarn to back of work between
needles, slip next stitch to right-hand
needle, bring yarn around this stitch
to front of work, slip stitch back
to left-hand needle, turn work to begin
knitting back in the other direction.
Working Wraps Together with Wrapped Stitches:
When working rows which follow short
rows, work the "wraps" at the turning points of the
short rows, together with the stitches they wrap, as follows: When working a RS row: Knit to wrapped stitch. Slip next stitch
from left needle to right needle, use tip of left needle to pick up "wrap" and
place it on right needle, insert left needle into both wrap and stitch,
and knit them together. When working a WS row: Purl to wrapped stitch. Slip next stitch
from left needle to right needle, use tip of left needle to pick up "wrap" and
place it on right needle, slip both wrap and stitch back to left needle,
purl together through back loops.
DIRECTIONS
Quest #1
Using DPNs or long circular for magic loop method as you prefer, CO 8 sts
[see Pattern Notes for helpful tips]. Join into the round. Mark start
of round with stitch marker.
Round 1: [Kfb] around. 16 sts.
Round 2 & all even rounds: K.
Round 3: [K2, m1r] around. 24 sts.
Round 5: [K3, m1r] around. 32 sts.
Round 7: [K4, m1r] around. 40 sts.
Round 9: [K5, m1r] around. 48 sts.
Round 11: [K6, m1r] around. 56 sts.
Round 13: [K7, m1r] around. 64 sts.
Round 15: [K8, m1r] around. 72 sts.
Round 17: [K9, m1r] around. 80 sts.
Round 19: [K10, m1r] around. 88 sts.
Round 21: [K11, m1r] around. 96 sts.
Size M + L only:
Round 23: [K12, m1r] around. 104 sts.
Size L only: Round
25: [K13, m1r] around.
112 sts.
All Sizes: Change to 16-inch circular
needle, placing marker for start of round.
K 15[18, 21] more rounds.
Short row shaping: Row 1 [RS]: K to 12 sts
before marker, W&T. Row 2 [WS]: P to 12 sts
before marker, W&T. Row 3 [RS]: K to 18 sts
before marker, W&T. Row 4 [WS]: P to 18 sts
before marker, W&T. Row 5 [RS]: K to 24 sts
before marker, W&T. Row 6 [WS]: P to 24 sts
before marker, W&T. Row 7 [RS]: K to 30 sts
before marker, W&T. Row 8 [WS]: P to 30 sts
before marker, W&T. Row 9 [RS]: K to the end
of the round, working wraps together
with sts as you encounter them. Next round: K to last 2 sts,
working wraps together with sts as
you encounter them, k2tog. 95[103,
111] sts
Switch to smallest 16-inch circular needle and work linen
stitch band as follows: Round 1: [K1, sl1 wyif] to
last st, k1. Round 2: [Sl1 wyif, k1] to
last st, sl1 wyif.
Repeat these 2 rounds 5 more times.
Switch to largest 16-inch circular needle. Next round: K27, kfb, [k3,
kfb] 10[12, 14] times, k to end
of round. 106[116, 126] sts.
Short Row shaping for brim: Row 1 [RS]: K to 18 sts
before marker, W&T. Row 2 [WS]: P to 18 sts
before marker, W&T. Row 3 [RS]: K to 24 sts
before marker, W&T. Row 4 [WS]: P to 24 sts
before marker, W&T. Row 5 [RS]: K to
30 sts before marker, W&T. Row 6 [WS]: P to 30 sts
before marker, W&T. Row 7 [RS]: K to the end
of the round, working wraps together
with sts as you encounter them. Next round: K one round,
working wraps together with sts as
you encounter them. Next round: K to last 2 sts,
k2tog. 105[115, 125] sts.
Work 3 rounds of linen stitch as before.
BO in st st.
Quest #2
Using DPNs or long circular for magic
loop method as you prefer, CO 8 sts. Join
into the round. Mark start of round with
stitch marker.
Size M only: Round 25: [K12, kfb] around.
112 sts. Round 26: P. Round 27: K. Round 28: P.
Size L only: Round 25: [K12, kfb] around.
112 sts. Round 26: P around. Round 27: [K13, kfb] around.
120 sts. Round 28: P.
All sizes continue here: Rounds 1-6: [Sl2,
k6] around. Rounds 7 & 9: K. Rounds 8 & 10: P. Rounds 11-16: [K4,
sl2, k2] around. Rounds 17 & 19: K. Rounds 18 & 20: P.
Rep Rounds 1-19 once more.
Size L only:rep Rounds
17 & 18 once more.
All sizes continue here:
Next round: [P4,
p2tog, p2] around. 91[98, 105] sts.
Switch to smaller circular needle. Row 1 [RS]: K to
12 sts before marker, W&T. Row 2 [WS]: P to
12 sts before marker, W&T. Row 3 [RS]: K to
16 sts before marker, W&T. Row 4 [WS]: P to
16 sts before marker, W&T. Row 5 [RS]: Kto
20 sts before marker, W&T. Row 6 [WS]: P to
20 sts before marker, W&T. Row 7 [RS]: K to
24 sts before marker, W&T. Row 8 [WS]: P to
24 sts before marker, W&T.
Size M + L only: Row 9 [RS]: K
to 30 sts before marker, W&T. Row 10 [WS]: P
to 30 sts before marker, W&T.
Size L only: Row 11 [RS]: K
to 36 sts before marker, W&T. Row 12 [WS]: P
to 36 sts before marker, W&T.
All sizes continue here:
Next row [RS]: K
to end of round, working wraps together with sts as you encounter
them. Next round: K, working
wraps together with sts as you encounter
them. Following round: P. Following round: K.
Repeat these two rounds once more.
BO.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends and block. Attach cute BIG button from
stash and wear!
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Laura love love LOVES to create and splits her work hours between
Nelkin Designs and her gig as the design
director at Schaefer Yarn
Company. Laura’s quest this winter
is to find more time to knit!
Visit Laura at her at her blog,
follow her on Twitter and
join her group on Ravelry!
