BOBBLE HAT (FREE KNITTING PATTERN)
Speckled slip stitches adorn the crown of this unisex hat, which is topped off with a pom-pom. This hat looks like it could be a stranded colorwork pattern, but is actually made using slip stitches, working with only one yarn at a time. For a slouchier hat, knit in plain stockinette for a few more inches after the chart pattern.
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Sizing Gauge 20 sts and 24 rows to 4 in. (10 cm) over St st
Finished dimensions One size; 21-23 in. (53.5-58 cm) head circumference, 9 in. (23 cm) tall excluding pom-pom
Pattern Notes All slip stitches are slipped purlwise.
Step 1
Materials: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, 55% extrafine merino wool, 33% acrylic microfiber, 12% cashmere, 1.75 oz (50 g), 98 yds (90 m)
1 skein of each in the following shades: A; 300502, Pea Green B; 300004, Navy
Needles & Notions • US 6 (4 mm) circular needles, 16 in. (40 cm) length • US 8 (6 mm) circular needles, 16 in. (40 cm) length • US 8 (6 mm) doublepointed needles (DPNs) • 8 stitch markers • Tapestry needle • Pom-pom maker or cardboard for making pom-pom template
Step 2
With A and US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, cast on 104 sts, join for working in the round taking care not to twist the sts and pm for beg of rnd. Work k1, p1 rib for 1 in. (2.5 cm).
Step 3
Change to US 8 (6 mm) circular needles. Join in B at row 3 and work through all rows of the chart. Using A yarn only, work in St st (knit every round) until piece measures 6 in. (15 cm) from the cast-on edge.
Step 4
Decrease crown Next rnd: [k13, pm] to end. Decrease rnd: [k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog] to end. (8 sts decreased) Next rnd: knit. Rep last 2 rnds another 6 times. (48 sts) Rep Decrease rnd only until 8 sts remain, changing to DPNs when stitches are not comfortably held on circular needles anymore. Break yarn leaving a 6 in. (15 cm) tail and use the tapestry needle to weave the end through the remaining stitches and secure.
Step 5
Finishing Weave in all loose ends. Block hat to finished dimensions.
Using A and a pom-pom maker or template cut from card, make a 2 in. (5 cm) pom-pom. Leave a long tail when tying the pom-pom for attaching to the top of the hat. Securely stitch the pom-pom in place.
Step 6
This how-to is excerpted with permission from Color Knitting with Confidence: Unlock the Secrets of Fair Isle, Intarsia, and More with 30 Vibrant Colorwork Techniques
by Nguyen Le (Barron's Educational Series).
