Barnacle Slouch Hat


Leading up to Christmas 2022, I knit two hats in super bulky yarn following the Drew Hat pattern by Robyn Devine. I really liked the shape of the hat and fell in love with the simplicity of the four row mock cable stitch pattern.

Decided to try my hand at coming up with a pattern using lighter weight yarn, and The Barnacle Slouch was born!


I combined Patons Classic Wool DK Superwash in Wisteria and Sugarbush Drizzle in Periwinkle Puddle to achieve a hand painted yarn look. The lace weight Sugarbush adds a little more density to the Knitted fabric on 4 mm needles, and I love the slight halo effect from the mohair.


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Gauge and measurement


As every knitter works to a different gauge or tension, I suggest you start by swatching. My gauge was 5.5 stitches to the inch in (k2, p2) ribbing. I have a large head (22inches) and decided I did not want this hat to be as snug as the beanie I knit last year.  I wanted this hat to be warm and not give me helmet head! I opted for 100 stitches or about 16-17 inches unstretched (24 inches stretched). My hat measures 8 inches in diameter (unstretched) and 10.75 inches long. This entire pattern is ribbed so there's a lot of stretch. 


Adjusting your size is easy once you have your stitches per inch of knitting.  If you have a smaller head, eg. 18, 20 inches, consider reducing your total number of stitches, by multiples of 4. For example, my gauge was 5.5 stitches unstretched, so 96 stitches (96 ÷ 5.5) would be about 17.5 inches unstretched, 92 stitches (92÷ 5.5) is about 16.75 inches unstretched, 88 stitches (88 ÷ 5.5) equals 16 inches unstretched, and so on.


Barnacle Slouch Hat Pattern


For this project, I used 2 balls of Patons Classic Wool DK Superwash and one ball of Sugarbush Drizzle. There was just enough leftover to make a pompom.  After the pompom was done, I had 1g of Drizzle and 4g of Classic Wool left. I used a 4 mm circular needle, and a stitch marker, to mark the end of my round.


If you choose to use a single strand of DK, or an Aran weight yarn, swatch before starting to figure out your stitches per inch and adjust the number of stitches accordingly. 


Holding both strands of yarn together, cast on 100 stitches (or desired multiple of 4 stitches) to achieve your desired size. Join in the round ensuring your stitches are not twisted.


I join by casting on one extra stitch, then transferring it to the left needle in front of my first stitch. I then work it and the first stitch as one.


Work in k2, p2 ribbing for 2 - 2.25 inches. At the end of the last round of ribbing, proceed as follows:


Round 1: (k2, p2), repeat to end of round.

Round 2: (k1, yo, k1, p2), repeat to end of round. 

Round 3: (k3, p2), repeat to end of round.

Round 4: (sl1, k2, psso last two knit stitches, p2), repeat to end of round. 


Continue until you have completed 12 pattern repeats.


Next round: (k2, p2), repeat to end of round.  Continue in k2, p2 ribbing for an inch.


Next round: (ssk, p2tog), repeat to end of round. (50 stitches remain - or 50% of the original number of stitches remain.)

Next round: (ssk), repeat to end of round.  (25 stitches or 25% of the original number of stitches remain.)

Next round: (ssk), repeat to last stitch, k1. 13 stitches left.

Break yarn leaving a long tail. Draw yarn through remain stitches and weave end in, closing any gaps in the final crown decreases.  Weave in tail at cast on edge. 


Make a Pompom


To make the pompom, cut a cardboard rectangle about 2 inches wide by 4-6 inches long. Begin winding both strands on yarn around the cardboard so you end up with a gentle curve, with more yarn in the center than on the sides. Trim the yarn and then cut a 18 inch length of yarn. Make a slip knot towards one end of the yarn. Gently slide the wound yarn off the cardboard and then slide the slip knit around the middle.  Draw the slip knot tight and wind the tail around the center several times, securing with square knots. Be sure to leave a tail to sew the pompom to your cap.


Take scissors and carefully cut through the loops on both sides of the pompom. Don't worry if it doesn't look perfect yet. Place the pompom in a small heat proof bowl and pour boiling water over it, until it is submerged. Stir gently with a spoon for about 5 minutes. Drain and rinse in cool water. Then squeeze out as much water as you can. Toss it in the dryer for 5-10 minutes before hanging it up to dry overnight, 


The next day, take sharp, fine scissors and give it a haircut until you like the shape.  Once you've sewn it to the crown of your hat, you are done!










This pattern may be used to hand make items for sale as long as you give me credit for the pattern design on your product label/signage.  

I'd love to see what you make! Feel free to email pictures of your creations to theknittedraven@gmail.com


Abbreviations:

k - knit
p - purl
psso - pass slipped stitch over
yo - yarn over
sl - slip stitch
ssk - slip the next two stitches onto the right hand needle as if to knit. then slide back on the left needle and knit both together through the back of the loops.

Comments

  1. I love this look! If we're not using the DK and lace together, would a thin worsted work up similarly? I have a ton of worsted in my stash that I'd love to use before buying more

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Make a gauge swatch to try out your yarn. May take a needle adjustment, but I can't see why it wouldn't work with the right needles.

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