I first fell in love with this hat when I saw it on a friend of mine: It just looked so comfy and effortlessly cool. But it wasn’t until I kept drooling over it on random passersby that I knew it was a perfect candidate for some DIY. But my memory is pretty bad, so when I found myself standing alone at the bus stop one dreary morning with, OMG, someone wearing that hat, I took an incognito picture of the back of said person’s head with (sadly?) only mild guilt. From there, I devised a pattern (not exactly the same, but whatever) using any yarn I happened to have on hand. The results are below.
It’s actually super comfortable and fits my head great! I think I have a rather average sized head, so one size should fit most. It’s a pretty quick knit, and I used only one skein, with a bit to spare. Happy Knitting!
Materials:
1 Skein Caron SHEEP(ISH) Vickie Howell Yarn in Olive(ish)*
*alternative: any 30z/85g medium weight yarn of approximately 167yds
1 pair of size US5 (3.75mm) double pointed needles, or equivalent circular needle
Abbreviations:
CO= cast on
PFB= purl1 into the front and back of the next stitch to increase by 1 stitch
K2tog= knit two together
Stitch Guide: Ribbed Seed Stitch
Row 1: K1 P1
Row 2: Knit
Repeat Rows 1-2
Pattern:
CO 88 Stitches (22 stitches on 4 dpn’s)
Rows 1-10: Rib stitch K1P1, or for 1.5inches
Next Row: *Purl1, PFB, P20, PFB, P1,* Repeat from * to end. 96 stitches on 4 needles.
Rows 12-15: Purl
Rows 16-20: K1P1
Rows 21-26: Purl
Rows 27-34: Work in Ribbed Seed Stitch for 8 rows (see stitch guide)
Rows 35-40: Purl
Repeat Rows 27- 40 3.5 more times (about 7.5inches from CO), ending with row 34.
Next Row: Knit
Knit for 4 more rows, then begin the decrease
Decrease:
Row 1: K2tog
Row 2: Knit
Repeat until 12 stitches remain on 4 needles, break yarn and draw through remaining stitches, tie off
Because this was retroactively devised from the finished product, apologies for any inconsistencies, let me know if there’s questions!
Sio Says Things... 
Reblogged this on Diane's Thoughts and Things and commented:
This looks so nice and easy – must try it
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It’s super easy! I also think it can be adjusted depending on the size of the yarn or needles, I get a chunkier version would be really cute too.
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Can I use a round needle
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yes you can, until you get to the decrease rows, for which you may have to switch to double pointed needles if it gets too tight.
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use the magic loop method found on youtube when it gets too tight
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Hi! I love this pattern! I’ve had such a hard time finding an easy slouchy beanie pattern that isn’t meant for people who crochet! I have one question that requires verification. I got to row 11 and discovered that if I followed the pattern of P1, PFB, P20, PFB, P1 I didn’t have enough stitches to complete the row. I did some math and found that if I P18 instead of P20 I get 24 stitches on the needle. I did have 22 stitches on the needle (after freaking out that I didn’t!). Is this me messing up the pattern or is it P18?
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Hey! So I thought that it was purl 18 and then if you increase two stitches by purling in the front and back you have 20. I see the confusion! Thanks for catching that. You’re right, it should be purl 18 until after the increase, and then it’s purl 20. I’ll be sure to correct that! It’s my first attempt at writing a pattern, thanks so much, and good luck!!
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Did u re-do this pattern ? It is really confusing on row 11. Can u clarify this? Thanks
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Sure, PFB means to purl in the front and back of the same stitch, a net increase of one extra stitch. The goal if this round is to increase the total number of stitches by 8, ending with 96 rather than the 88 that you casted on. So in row 11, you will purl the first stitch as normal but then when you purl the next stitch, instead of sliding it off the needle, you will purl into the back of the same stitch, creating an extra stitch. This will be your increase. If it’s easier, you can do any desired increase in place of the “PFB”, as long as you end up increasing by 8 stitches on row 11. This is what gives the hat a slouchy look, and less like a fitted skull cap. Hope that helps!
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After the repeat rows of 21-34, the next row says to knit and knit 4 more rows, then begin the decrease–in the picture, it looks like purl rows instead of knit to make another ridge, is this correct?
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Hi Becky, thanks for pointing that out! Yes, you could do it that way. In mine I transition from the ribbed knit to a straight knit, it’s a little hard to see in the picture. However, you can add as many ridges as you want to make the hat longer, and depending on your yarn and gauge you may want to make it longer. Either way, it will turn out wonderful I’m sure!
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Can I use circular needle instead
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Hi Lola, yes you can use a circular of the same size, but you might have to switch to double pointed needles near the top as it decreases.
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Hi Sio, oh my goodness, I recognize you from my niece, Lacey! I came across this pattern on Pinterest. Hmm, I think I’ll make this for her for Hanukkah. I’ll include the designer info on the gift tag. She will be pleasantly pleased. I look forward to knitting this pattern.
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Hi Sio,
What a surprise. I was looking at Pinterest for some new patterns. The hat pattern I was admiring took me to Sio Says. I instantly recognized the site.
I am Lacey Maurer’s aunt. I had seen your blog before. I think when Lacey was doing her Five Things blog she had referred to your blog. I remember reading about you knitting a sweater. It is nice to see that you’ve kept up with your knitting.
I’ll be knitting the hat for Lacey, it will have extra meaning for her now. I am working on toe up socks for her right now. It’s a surprise.
This was such a coincidence, I had to write to you.
Thank you for designing such a lovely hat!
Wishing you all the best.
Sharon Gross Lacey’s Tante’ Sharon
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Hi there, What a nice surprise!! I’m still knitting, at this very moment in fact. I’m sure she will love what you make, how special! Thanks for visiting 🙂 I’m hoping to do more soon, let me know if you have questions about the pattern!
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Hello, I thank you for this lovely pattern. For the increase row, I Googled “increase evenly in knitted row” and used this site: http://www.thedietdiary.com/knittingfiend/tools/IncreaseEvenlySpace.html It worked out great.
The hat knitted beautifully. Within the next few weeks I’ll either mail the hat to Lacey or give it to her on March 20 at our monthly Family a Knit Day.
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So great to hear!! I love that you have a family knit day. Thanks for posting!
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Is the repeat correct? It seems like it should be repeat 27-40. Otherwise you would have 11 rows of purl if after row 40 you start with 21 for the repeat.
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Hi Cheryl, Yes you’re right! Looks like the “1” should be a “7”, I must have mistyped that. I will amend that straightaway! Thanks for your keen eye.
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Hi! Really like the look of this hat. Is the pattern correct after the Dec. 7th comments? Would like to get started on this. Thank you….Rose
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Yes I believe everything is set to go, but of course feel free to comment if anything else seems confusing 🙂
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Hi, I love this hat and will try it. Can it also be done on straight needles?
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Hi Lauris! For straight needles, I would use 5 double pointed needles. Those or circular needles are the only ones I would recommend because I haven’t tried any others, did you have a particular set in mind?
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Hi, I love this pattern and can’t wait ti try it. Can it also be done on straight needles?
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Yes it can! Use double pointed needles of the same size.
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Thanks for the pattern 🙂 why don’t you use ribbed seed stitch for rows 16-20 as well?
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Hi Emma, 16-20 is a transition stripe, before the ribbed seed stitch begins. This is just to cinch a little, it’s tighter than the ribbed seed stitch. It will be wider and slouchier without it. I haven’t tried this, but you are welcome to!
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Can’t find directions for ribbed seed stitch
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Hi Patty, Sure! it’s listed in the stitch guide, it is: Row 1: K1 P1,Row 2: Knit, then repeat rows 1-2 for pattern.
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Where can I find the corrected pattern? Also, I’m a little confused about the decrease rows: it just says K2toget for row 1. Am I missing something!
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Hi Nancy, you’re right, row 1 is knit two together, then row 2 is knit. You’ll repeat these two rows until only 12 stitches remain. I’m not sure why those last instructions aren’t showing up for you, I’ll try to check this out.
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Does that mean I knit 2 tog, all the way around? Is there a place to find the corrected pattern? It is a very cute hat. Thanks for responding. Nancy
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Yes, it means to knit two together all the way around, then the next round is all knit. Then repeat those two rows until 12 stitches remain. I will try to update this pattern for a little more clarity. Please let me know if you have any more questions!
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I have the band done and am eager to start the rest. I’m not an experienced enough knitter to see errors in the directions; is it correct as it is written now? Thanks! Nancy
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Should be, but of course don’t hesitate if something is confusing 🙂
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Thank you again!
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This looks like a version of Jane Brocket’s Ochre hat from her book ” The Gentle Art Of Knitting. I just happen to be working on this now!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simple-sq
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Hi! This is a BEAUTIFUL hat! Am starting it tomorrow. I am impressed by how patient you are with all of the comments and how thorough you are with all of your replies…. makes me feel safe to give it a shot, because you were so kind with everybody 😉
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Hi Suzanne! Thanks, that’s really kind of you to say. Good luck with the hat! Hopefully it works for you but if you have any questions please let me know. I love mine and wear it almost everyday now that the weather is snowy 🙂
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i’m using a smaller weight yarn (4 ply) and i think that casting on 88 would be too small for my head :^(
how much cast ons do you think i should add?
thanks in advance!
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p.s. i really love the hat’s design! it looks so comfy!
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Pattern says to repeat rows 27-40, 3.5 more times….when I do I end up with more purl ridges than shown in picture and will need more yarn. Please advise if pattern or pic is correct.
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Hi Liz, If you follow the pattern and do more ridges, the beanie will be a little slouchier. The number of times you repeat those roles is fairly optional, and definitely if you’ll run out of yarn, then just follow the number according do the picture and it should come out just fine. Thanks for pointing out the discrepancy!
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est ce possible d’avoir ce patron en FRANÇAIS Merci!
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Why cant i print off free pattetns, please?
Thankyou
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is it alright if i sell hats made with this pattern? if so, would you like me to credit you for the pattern? I’ve already made one for me and it’s so pretty! thank you for reverse-engineering this!
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Yes, go ahead and thanks for asking and crediting!
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