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Hat Description

Urchin Cap is a pert Hat that sits jauntily on the head. It features a rolled stocking stitch brim and a reverse stocking stitch body. The crown shaping starts rapidly, resulting in a gathered effect.

Pattern Availability

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Pattern Support

If you have a question about this pattern, pop it in a comment below. Sorry, but I’m unable to help with my free patterns or tutorials via email or private messages.

Social Media

Share your hand-knit Hats online with these hashtags!
#WoollyWormhead
#WWUrchinCap

Yarn

85 [101, 118] yd/78 [93, 108] m
Chunky yarn

Needles & Notions

Set 5.5mm/UK5/US9 DPNs/Circular or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker as necessary
Tapestry needle

Sample Details

Shown in Araucania Nature Wool Chunky [131yd/120m per 100g; 100% Wool]
Shown in size 20in/51cm on model with 21.25in/54cm circumference head

Gauge

16 sts x 20 rows to 4in/10cm on 5.5mm needles over St.St.

Sizes

To fit size: 18 [20, 22] in/45.5 [51, 55.5] cm
Finished size: 16 [18, 20] in/40.5 [45.5, 51] cm

Not sure which size to make? Check my handy size and measuring guide!

Skills Required

Cable Cast-on
Knitting in the round
Increases and Decreases
Draw-through Bind-off
Blocking a Hand Knit Hat

Abbreviations

K: knit
P: purl
rpt: repeat
R/rnd(s): rounds
st(s): stitch(es)
M1: pick up the horizontal loop before the next stitch, place it onto the left needle & knit into the front of it
k2tog: knit next 2 sts together

How To

Using Cable Cast-on method, cast on 64 [72, 80] sts.

Join in the round, being careful not to twist sts. Place stitch marker to indicate start of round.

Brim

Now work stocking stitch for the brim by knitting every round for 2in/5cm (or desired length) then work increase round once as follows:

Inc Rnd: *K2, M1; rpt from * to end then at last stitch of round, with yarn at back, slip next st onto right hand needle, bring yarn forward, pass stitch back to left needle, leave yarn at front of work. (i.e. – work a wrap & turn) [96, 108, 120 sts]

Now turn work inside out. What was the right needle is now the left, and vice versa. Direction of work has also reversed.

Body

Continue working stocking stitch by knitting every round as before.

Continue until work measures 4.25 [4.5, 4.75] in/10.75 [11.5, 12] cm from increase round, 6.25 [6.5, 6.75] in/15.75 [16.5, 17] cm from cast on edge.

Crown

18in size jump to Rnd 3, 20in size jump to Rnd 2, 22in size start at Rnd 1.

Rnd 1: *K16, k2tog, k2tog; rpt from * to end [108 sts]

Rnd 2: *K14, k2tog, k2tog; rpt from * to end [96 sts]

Rnd 3: *K12, k2tog, k2tog; rpt from * to end [84 sts]

Rnd 4: *K10, k2tog, k2tog; rpt from * to end [72 sts]

Rnd 5: *K8, k2tog, k2tog; rpt from * to end [60 sts]

Rnd 6: *K6, k2tog, k2tog; rpt from * to end [48 sts]

Rnd 7: *K4, k2tog, k2tog; rpt from * to end [36 sts]

Rnd 8: *K2, k2tog, k2tog; rpt from * to end [24 sts]

Rnd 9: * k2tog; rpt from * to end [12 sts]

Rnd 10: * k2tog; rpt from * to end [6 sts]

Break yarn and thread through remaining 6 sts and tighten to close.

Finishing

Turn Hat back inside out, so that the brim shows a stocking stitch right side, and the main body of the Hat is in reverse stocking stitch.

Weave in all ends.

Blocking isn’t necessary, although if required, gently wash with a wool friendly detergent and then dry flat. Hat is designed for a perky finish so avoid over stretching.

Need Help With This Pattern?

If you’ve a question about this pattern, please pop it in the comments below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can! I’m afraid I’m unable to offer help via email or private message, but you’re welcome to post in our forum.

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