This classic
slouchy style cloche uses linen stitch to create a dense, tight knit gives the
hats extra warm using sock yarn. The size is medium although it is stretchy
enough to fit any adult head size. I used a size 5 on the pink and black hat, but when done to a size 4 for the gray and pink hat so it was a little more fitted. The good thing is that the hat does not crush your hair as some hats do.
Also, this hat looks much better on your head than
the stand or laying down because it needs the shape of your head to bring out
the shaping.
You can use any sock yarn or similar weight and variegated yarns are especially showy. Also, I am going to try to make this hat with leftovers of my sock yarn to create a technicolor hat as well.
I cast on and use a smaller needle for the first couple of inches and then switch to a needle several sizes larger. You can also adjust the size by increasing or decreasing stitches; it just needs an odd number of stitches.
Short rows are used to put more fabric at the front of the hat to make a smoother slouch in the back. My only warning about this hat is that it is fairly slow-going due to the density of the stitches, but it really does make a comfortable, warm addition to your wardrobe.
Size: Large
(Medium) size. Hat has a lot of stretch so one size fits most
Yarn: Any
kind of sock yarn
Needles: Circular needle size 4 (3.5 mm) 16”
Circular
needle size 9 (5.5 mm) 16”
DPN
Size 9 (5.5 mm) set of 4
Yarn
needle
Stitch
markers
Gauge: 8 stitches/inch in
stockinette, size 4 needles (not critical)
With smaller circular needles, CO on 175 (161) stitches. Join, place marker (pm), being careful not to
twist the stitches.
Knit 2 rows.
Start linen stitch:
Row 1: K1, with yarn in front (wyif) sl 1 st purlwise. Continue to last
stitch. K1.
Row 2: With yarn in front sl 1 st purlwise, k1. Continue to last
stitch. Wyif sl.
Continue Row 1 and 2 for 2½ inches.
Switch to size 9 needles and continue in linen stitch for one more
inch, for about 4” from cast on.
Short rows:
Short Row 1: Work linen stitch
for 40 stitches; place marker. With yarn
in front, slip next stitch onto right needle. Turn. With yarn in front, slip
stitch onto right needle. With yarn in
back, slip stitch purlwise, p1; continue for 80 stitches (the beginning of
round marker is at the 40 stitch point).
Short Row 2: With yarn in
back, slip next stitch onto right needle. Turn. Place marker. With yarn in
front, slip stitch onto right needle. Continue in linen stitch to five stitches
before the second marker (i.e., not the beginning of round marker).
Short Row 3: With yarn in
front, slip next stitch onto right needle. Turn. Place maker. With yarn in
front, slip stitch onto right needle.
With yarn in back, slip stitch purlwise, p1; continue to second marker.
Continue with Short Row 2 and 3 until you have five markers on each
side, ending with Short Row 2 (e.i., the right side facing you).
Next row: *Work linen stitch to next marker not the beginning of round
marker. Remove the marker. Lift the bar under the next stitch and place it on
the needle. K tog.* Continue * to *
until you have removed all the markers except for the beginning of round
marker.
Continue until the entire hat measures 9” or desired length. Be sure to
measure at the marker so you include the short row length as well.
Crown: (switch to DPNs when necessary)
Row 1: *K2tog, p2tog, work in
linen stitch for 18 (16) stitches.* Repeat around. (Don’t worry if the stitches
don’t come out even at the end. The important thing is to maintain the linen
stitch.)
Row 2 and all even numbered rows: Knit in linen stitch.
Row 3: Work in linen stitch for
6 stitches. *P2tog, k2tog, work linen stitches for 16 (14).* Repeat around.
Continue
in this pattern, reducing the number of knit stitches between the decreases by
2 until you have about 10 stitches left (exact number is not critical). Cut yarn, leaving an 8” tail. Cut yarn, thread
through the remaining stitches and secure tightly. Weave in ends.
