Four Winds Hat

Four Winds Hat

Okay, I should begin any description of this hat with an admission: that I bought the yarn for my husband, and originally intended to design this bad boy for him. Then, however, the yarn told me that it didn't want to belong to him, it wanted to belong to me instead. And then it said that this was the form that it dreamed of taking...

... sure, I'm exaggerating a bit. Truly, though, this design was 100% inspired by the fiber, and creates a very plush, delicious hat because of the twisted stitch pattern. Of course, since ALL of the stitches are twisted every other row it's a tad annoying to work, but I think the end result is definitely worth it!

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted (100% Merino Wool; 210 yards [191 meters]/100 grams); #56 Olive - one skein 

A closer look at the stitch pattern and the
crown.

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size US 6, one 16" circular needle in size US 9, and one set of double pointed needles (dpns), also in size US 9

Notions: Tapestry needle, four stitch markers

Gauge: 18 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette on size US 8 needles (I'm giving you package gauge in case you're using a substitute yarn)

Okay, so let's make a hat! To start with, then, using your size US 6 needle, cast on 100 stitches loosely, place marker, and join in round. Then, we'll knit the following marker placement row:

Marker Placement Row: (k1, [p1, k1] x 12, place marker) three times; then, k1, * p1, k1; rep from * until you reach the end of the row

Knit this marker placement row. Then we'll work our ribbing, as follows:

Ribbing Row: (k1, * p1, k1; rep from * until you reach next marker, slip marker) four times

Knit this ribbing row until piece measures just over 2". Then, transfer work to your size US 9 circular needle, and continue to work as follows. Notice that you'll need the following terminology to continue (you can find videos below too!):

rt (right twist): knit two together, leaving stitches on left-hand needle; next, insert right-hand needle from the front between the two stitches just knitted together, and knit the first stitch again.  Finally, slip both stitches from left-hand needle together

lt (left twist): with right-hand needle behind left-hand needle, skip one stitch and knit the second stitch in back loop; then insert right-hand needle into the backs of both stitches and k2tog-b (knit two together through back loops, inserting right needle from the right) 

And now that we've got that covered, we'll continue as follows:

Row 1: knit, slipping all extra markers when you reach them

Row 2: * lt; rep from * until you're one stitch before next marker, k1, slip marker; then, k1, * rt; rep from * until you reach next marker, slip marker, and then repeat the directions from the beginning of the row

Row 3: knit, slipping all extra markers when you reach them

Row 4: k1, * lt; rep from * until you reach next marker, slip marker; then, * rt; rep from * until you're one stitch before next marker, k1, slip marker, and then repeat the directions from the beginning of the row

Knit rows 1 - 4 until piece measures just over 7" and you've just finished row 1 of the pattern. Transfer work to 4 dpns, with the ends of each dpn corresponding with where a stitch marker was placed. Then, we'll begin decreasing as follows:

Decrease Row 1: ssk, * lt; rep from * until you are 3 stitches from end of first needle; k1, k2tog; then, on second needle, ssk, k1, * rt; rep from * until you're 2 stitches from end of second needle, end k2tog; then, repeat instructions from the beginning, substituting the term "third needle" for first and "fourth needle" for second (-8 stitches)

Decrease Row 2: knit

Knit decrease rows 1 & 2 four times, at which point you should have 68 stitches left, or 17 stitches on each of your four needles, and you should have just knit one row around (decrease row 2). Now, at this point, you've reached the video portion of this hat, for which I assume you know the basics about a three needle bind off (I also demonstrate it quickly, if you don't). And yes, I made a video because the finish seemed cumbersome to describe with words, but if someone wants me try just let me know in the comments! :) Anyway, do this stuff now:

And once that's over and you've tucked in your ends, you're done! Although I should have mentioned in the video that you can also knot those last two yarn ends that are in the middle of your hat, for extra security (better than a 401k, amiright?).