Rickrack Braid Hat

Rickrack Braid Hat

The first thing I should mention (before I forget to) is that I designed this hat to match the 81-Yard Cowl. However, I didn't want to go too matchy-matchy, so the hat uses a stripe of stockinette that's two stitches wide rather than the cowl's single stitch. Nevertheless, if made in the same yarn these two items would make for a handsome pair. And an economical one, since this hat uses almost the same yardage as the cowl!!!

Yarn: Schachenmayr smc Boston (70% Acrylic, 30% Virgin Wool; 60 yards [55 meters]/50 grams); #72 Pine - two skeins (I know I just said this hat uses the same yardage as the cowl - that's 'cause I didn't use all of my two skeins!!)

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size US 9, one 16" circular needle in size US 10.5, one set of double pointed needles, also in size US 10.5

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 12 stitches = 4 inches

Which brings us to the pattern! Using your size 9 circular needle, then, cast on 64 stitches, place marker, and join in round. Then we'll knit some ribbing, as follows:

Ribbing Row 1: * k1, p2, k1; rep from *

Knit this ribbing row until piece measures roughly 1.5" in length. Transfer work to your size US 10.5 circular needle, and then we'll begin our main pattern, which is a variation on Rickrack Faggoting Stitch from page 260 of Barbara G. Walker's A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns, except adapted for the round. And it goes like so:

Row 1: * k1, yo, ssk, k1 * 

Row 2: * k1, k2tog, yo, k1 *

Knit rows 1 & 2 until piece measures roughly 6" - 7" (depending on who you're making it for - stick closer to 6" for a smaller head and 7" for a larger head) and you've just finished row 2 of the pattern. Then we'll work the decrease, as follows:

Decrease Row 1: * k1, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, ssk, k3, yo, ssk, k1 * (56 stitches)

Decrease Row 2: * k1, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k1 * (48 stitches)

You'll probably want to switch to your dpns about now...

Decrease Row 3: * k1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, ssk, k1, yo, ssk, k1 * (40 stitches)

Decrease Row 4: * k1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, ssk, k2tog, yo, k1 * (32 stitches)

Decrease Row 5: * k2, k2tog, ssk, k2 * (24 stitches)

Decrease Row 6: * k1, k2tog, ssk, k1 * (16 stitches)

Decrease Row 7: * k2tog, ssk * (8 stitches)

Knit decrease rows 1 - 7. Clip yarn tail, thread through remaining 8 stitches, and pull tight. Thread to inside of hat, knot, and tuck in ends.