Wildflower Bramble Hat Knitting Pattern

[roguecrafter]

This hat is available as a finished product on my Etsy Store.

Pattern Notes:
This hat makes me think of gardening in late fall in early winter (pruning, raking, putting the garden to bed with a last layer of mulch, etc.) and hikes in the woods past raspberry hedges. I liked knitting this hat because while there are sections of more complex stitches to keep things interesting, they are interspersed with "zombie knitting" to give the knitter a break for those times when you have to put the kettle on or the kids are screaming. As a side note, you may want to practice Raspberry Stitch and Wildflower Knot in your swatch so you get the hang of them (just remember to do them in the round or convert to back-and-forth knitting!) before you begin knitting the hat. Just remember that they will distort the swatch, so be sure to take your gauge measurements from a section of stockinette. Do choose a yarn that does not split easily, or you will want to strangle someone.

Yarn:
Cascade 220 Superwash, Colorway "Aporto" (Color No 856), 100 grams per ball, 1 ball. Can substitute any worsted weight yarn as long as you get gauge and it does not split easily (as you will be purling and knitting three together multiple times).

Needles:
US #8 16" circular needle (if desired)
set of US #8 double-pointed needles (or second circular needle) for top of hat
*or size needed to obtain gauge*

Gauge:
18 sts/4 in on US #8 needles or size needed to obtain gauge in *stockinette*

Hat sizing:
Small: cast on 80 stitches (hat size measures roughly 18", will fit 18-20" head)
Medium: cast on 88 stitches (hat size measures roughly 20", will fit 20-22" head)
Large: cast on 96 stitches (hat size measures roughly 22", will fit 22-24" head)
XL: cast on 104 stitches (hat size measures roughly 24", will fit 24-26" head)

Pattern:
Using a double-stranded cast-on, cast on 80 (88, 96, 104) stitches. Join in round, being careful not to twist. Begin k2, p2 rib, continue for 2.5" (3" if you're feeling particularly interested in the rib or if you want extra ear coverage; alternatively, if you do not want the brim to fold up, knit the ribbing for 1.5").

Knit in stockinette for 1" (i.e. knit only).
Purl one round.

Begin Raspberry stitch section:
Round 1: Knit around
Round 2: *(K1, P1, K1) into the same stitch, then drop stitch from needle; P3tog* repeat from * until you reach the beginning of the round
Round 3: Knit around
Round 4: *P3tog; (K1, P1, K1) into the same stitch, then drop stitch from needle* repeat from * until you reach the beginning of the round
Round 5: Knit around

Purl one round
Knit in stockinette for 0.5"
Purl one round

Begin Wildflower Knot squares section:
Round 1, 2, 4, 5: P1, *K5, P3*, repeat from * to *, ending on P2
Round 3: P1, *K2; P3tog, K3tog, P3tog into the same stitch and then let it drop from the needle; K2, P3* repeat from * to * ending on P2

Purl one round
Knit in stockinette for 1"
Purl one round

Begin decrease section:
(make sure you have your dpn's or second circular needle handy for when the hat becomes too small for a 16" circular needle; also, you may want to double check that you have the correct number of stitches on the needle and do a subtle decrease or make one to compensate so that the spiral pattern on the top of the hat turns out correctly)
Round 1: *K2tog, K6* repeat from * around
Round 2: knit around
Round 3: *K2tog, K5* repeat from * around
Round 4: knit around
Round 6: *K2tog, k4* repeat from * around
Round 7: knit around
Round 8: *K2tog, K3* repeat from * around
Round 9: *K2tog, K2* repeat from * around
Round 10: *K2tog, K1* repeat from * around
Round 11: *K2tog* repeat from * around
Cut 12" tail and use darning needle to run through remaining stitches. Pull tight and weave in tail, then weave in cast on end.
Block if desired (it's recommended for these stitches, I steam blocked my hat and got excellent results).

And you're done! Unless you decide to make another...

You can also check out this pattern's Ravelry page, where more photos may be viewed.