Quest hats (2 versions): Knitty Winter 2011

by Laura Nelkin

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.

Round 1: [Kfb] around. 16 sts.

Round 2: P.

Round 3: [K1, kfb] around. 24 sts.

Round 4: K.

Round 5: [Sl2, k1, m1R] around. 32 sts.

Round 6: [Sl2, k2] around.

Round 7: [Sl2, k1, m1R, k1] around. 40 sts.

Round 8: [Sl2, k3] around.

Round 9: [Sl2, k2, m1R, k1] around. 48 sts.

Round 10: [Sl2, k4] around.

Round 11: [K5, kfb] around. 56 sts.

Round 12: P.

Round 13: [K6, kfb] around. 64 sts.

Round 14: P around.
Round 15: [K7, kfb] around. 72 sts.
Round 16: P.
Round 17: [K2, sl2, k2, m1R] around. 84 sts.
Round 18: [K2, sl2, k3] around.
Round 19: [K2, sl2, k3] around.
Round 20: [K2, sl2, k3, m1R] around. 96 sts.
Round 21: [K2, sl2, k4] around.
Round 22: [K2, sl2, k4] around.
Round 23: [K11, kfb] around. 104 sts.
Round 24: P.

Size S only:
Round 25: K.
Round 26: P.

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

designername 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!