Twisted Rib Hat

Twisted Rib Hat

Okay folks, here we have another sale yarn special, born from a great deal at the back rack of a Wisconsin Craft Market. That being said, I think this turned into a fairly attractive, gender-neutral beanie which pairs vertical ribbing with ever-so-slight horizontal stripes of slouch. And it's got a nice finishing. That counts for something, right?

The pattern, with its subtle twisted ribs

Yarn: Berroco Blackstone Tweed Chunky (65% Wool, 25% Superkid Mohair, 10% Angora Rabbit Hair; 60 yards [55 meters]/50 grams); #6607 Wintry Mix - 2 skeins

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size 10.5, one set of double-pointed needles (dpns), also in size 10.5

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker or scrap yarn to mark row

Gauge: 13 stitches = 4 inches

Note (2/03/14): Since I made this hat for my husband, I've been able to observe how it wears. And while it's his favorite hat, it's also gotten looser with time, so I recommend knitting at least the band with a smaller needle size (size 9 or 10), for fit. The whole thing could also be knit on a size 10 needle if you prefer a slightly more snug hat.

So let's get started. Using your circular needle, cast on 72 stitches loosely, place marker, and join in round. Knit five rows of the following ribbing row before moving on to the main pattern:

Ribbing Row: * k2, (p1, k1) 3 times, p1; rep from *

And now that the band is done, let's take a moment to learn some notation for the pattern, as follows:

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)

Now let's get started!

Rows 1, 3, 5, & 7: * k2, p1, k5, p1 *

Rows 2, 4, & 6: * rt, p1, rt, k1, lt, p1 *

Rows 8 & 10: * rt, p3, k1, p3 *

Row 9: * k2, p3, k1, p3 *

Knit rows 1 - 10 twice, and then knit rows 1 - 6 once more. Now, it's time to work the decrease, which goes as follows:

Decrease Row 1: remove marker, slip first stitch, and replace marker. Then; * lt, p2, k1, p2, rt *

Row 2: * p1, k1, p2, k1, p2, k1, p1 *

Row 3: * p1, ssk, p1, k1, p1, k2tog, p1 *

Row 4: * p1, lt, k1, rt, p1 *

You may want to switch to your dpns about now...

Row 5: * p2, sl1-k2tog-psso, p2 *

Row 6: * p2, k1, p2 *

Row 7: * p2tog, k1, p2 *

Row 8: * p1, k1, p2tog *

Row 9: slip first stitch to last needle. Then; * k1, p2tog *

Row 10: * p2tog *

Clip yarn and thread through remaining 8 stitches. Pull tight, thread to inside, and knot. Tuck in ends. Wear with pride, 'cause you look like a million bucks. Or at least however much you spent on the yarn...