Thursday, September 08, 2011

Free Pattern: Nearly Instant Stripy Noro Hitsuji Hat

Just in time for cooler weather, a new hat. I don't need to tell you, my dear readers, how much I love Noro yarns.

The new Hitsuji bulky weight is an absolute hoot - all those amazing Noro colours, and it knits up absurdly quickly. It's ideal for winter accessories.

Less than two hours' knitting, I promise.

Nearly Instant Stripy Hat
Suitable as a first hat project, this is an easy & ridiculously quick knit. Excellent for last minute gift knitting!

SIZES & FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
S: Fits teens and small women - 21 inch circumference and 8.5 inch length
L: Fits average to large women's heads- 22.5 inch circumference and 9 inch length

MATERIALS
1 x 100g ball Noro Hitsuji (100% wool, 100m/ball); sample uses colour 8
6.5mm 16 inch/40 cm circular needle
8 mm 16 inch/40 cm circular needle
1 set 8mm double-pointed needles
a stitch marker

GAUGE
12 sts and 16 rounds = 4 ins by 4 ins/10 cm by 10 cm in stocking stitch using 8mm needles
stitch gauge is important, round gauge less so

STITCH GLOSSARY
Kfb: Knit into the front and back of the stitch. 1 st increased.
K2tog: Knit 2 sts together.

METHOD
Lower Edge
With 6.5mm circular needle, cast on 38 (42) sts. Join for working in the round and place a marker for start of round.

Ribbing round: (K1, p1) to end. At this point, check to make sure the round is not twisted.

Repeat ribbing round until hat measures 1.5 inch from cast-on edge.
Change to 8mm circular needle.

Increase round, size S: [(K1, kfb) 9 times, k1] twice. 56 sts.
Increase round, size L: (K1, kfb) around. 63 sts.

Body
Body round: Knit.
Work in stocking stitch as set until piece measures 4 (4.5) inches from top of ribbing.

Close
Note: As you decrease, change to double-pointed needles when hat gets too small to work comfortably on the circular needle.

Round 1: (K5, k2tog) around. 48 (54) sts.
Rounds 2, 4, 6, 8, 10: Knit.
Round 3: (K4, k2tog) around. 40 (45) sts.
Round 5: (K3, k2tog) around. 32 (36) sts.
Round 7: (K2, k2tog) around. 24 (27) sts.
Round 9: (K1, k2tog) around. 16 (18) sts.
Round 11: K2tog around. 8(9) sts.

Cut yarn, leaving a 6 inch tail. Pull through rem 8 (9) sts to close.

Finishing
Weave in ends and handwash. Hat will relax a fair bit when washed, so don't be surprised if it looks a bit small when you're knitting it.


3 comments:

Maryjean said...

Oh my, that is one lovely hat! I do believe that I see a couple of them in my future. Thanks for the pattern!

Maureen said...

Thanks Kate.

hapa banana said...

Bought a ball of Hitsuji on sale last weekend and am so glad you designed this hat! (Which has now been knit.) Such a fun, easy and satisfying project. Thank you.