Description
A Hat To Make A Point is a Hat with a ribbed brim and a stocking stitch body. The decreases swirl around the crown, then come together at the top centre of the Hat. The crown can be worked with a smaller point, so that it is mostly flat. It can also be worked with a longer point for a pixie look.
Availability
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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!
#WWAHatToMakeAPoint
Yarn
138yd/126m/100g
Heavy Aran/Chunky weight, single ply yarn.
Needles & Notions
Set 5mm/UK6/US8 DPNs/Circular or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker as necessary
Tapestry needle
Sample details
Shown in Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica [138yd/126m per 100g; 100% Wool]
Shown in Soft Pixie version with a 1x1 Twisted rib in size 22in/55.75cm on model with 22in/55.75cm circumference head
Gauge
16 sts x 20 rows to 4in/10cm on 5mm needles over St.St.
16 sts x 21 rows to 4in/10cm on 5mm needles over Twisted Rib
16 sts x 32 rows to 4in/10cm on 5mm needles over Garter St.
Not sure which size to make? Check my handy size and measuring guide!
Sizes
To fit sizes: 19 [22] in/48.25 [55.75] cm
Finished size: 15 [18] in/38 [45.2] cm
Skills required
Stocking Stitch
Knitting in the round
Twisted stitches
Abbreviations
K: knit
P: purl
rpt: repeat
st(s): stitch(es)
P1tbl: purl stitch through the back of the loop
K1tbl: knit stitch through the back of the loop
SSK: slip next 2 sts knitwise, then knit these 2 sts together through the backs of the loops
k2tog: knit next 2sts together
Note
There are lots of different options to this pattern – different brim types, different crown types, and the choice to work in the round or flat. Consider it a formula, a pick n’mix.
You may wish to try different cast-on methods for the different brim types – I recommend the Alternate Cable Cast-on for 1x1 rib, and the Alternate Cable Cast-on for 2x2 rib. You can of course use any method you like!
I chose the ssk decrease as I like the way it looks – feel free to substitute it with a k2tog.
In The Round version
How to
Cast on 60 [72] sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist sts. Place stitch marker to indicate start of round.
Brim option 1
Rnd 1: Purl all sts
Rnd 2: Knit all sts
These two rounds create garter stitch in the round. Starting with Rnd 1, repeat these 2 rounds until work measures 1.5 [2] in/3.75 [5] cm (or desired length) ending after a Rnd 1.
Brim option 2
Rnd 1: *K1tbl, P1; rpt from * to end
This round creates twisted 1x1 rib. Repeat this round until work measures 1.5 [2] in/3.75 [5] cm (or desired length)
Foundation Rnd: Purl all sts (creates a purl ridge)
Brim option 3
Rnd 1: *K2, P2; rpt from * to end
This round creates 2x2 rib. Repeat this round until work measures 1.5 [2] in/3.75 [5] cm (or desired length)
Foundation Rnd: Purl all sts (creates a purl ridge)
Body
Rnd 1: Knit all sts
This round creates stocking stitch. Repeat this round until work measures 4 [5] in/10 [12.75] cm from cast-on edge.
Crown option 1 – the soft pixie version
Prep Rnd: *K 10 [12], place marker; rpt from * to end
Rnd 1: *Knit to 2sts before marker, ssk; rpt from * to end
Rnd 2: Knit all sts
Repeat these 2 rounds until 6sts remain. Break yarn and draw through remaining 6sts, tighten to close.
Crown option 2 – the hardcore pixie version
Prep Rnd: *K 15 [18], place marker; rpt from * to end
Rnd 1: *Knit to 2sts before marker, ssk; rpt from * to end
Rnd 2: Knit all sts
Repeat these 2 rounds until 4sts remain. Break yarn and draw through remaining 4sts, tighten to close.
Finishing
Weave in all ends. A light blocking is recommended to help the shaping settle. It is best to block this Hat flat, and rotate as necessary to avoid creases.
Work Flat version
How to
Cast on 62 [74] sts.
Brim option 1
Row 1: Knit all sts
This row creates garter stitch. Repeat this row until work measures 1.5 [2] in/3.75 [5] cm (or desired length).
Brim option 2
Row 1 (RS): K1, *K1tbl, P1; rpt from * to last st, K1
Row 2 (WS): P1,*K1, P1tbl; rpt from * to last st, P1
These 2 rows create twisted 1x1 rib. Repeat these 2 rows until work measures 1.5 [2] in/3.75 [5] cm (or desired length) ending after a Row 1.
Foundation Row (WS): Knit all sts (creates a purl ridge)
Brim option 3
Row 1 (RS): K1, *K2, P2; rpt from * to last st, K1
Row 2 (WS): P1, *K2, P2; rpt from * to last st, P1
These 2 rows create 2x2 rib. Repeat these 2 rows until work measures 1.5 [2] in/3.75 [5] cm (or desired length) ending after a Row 1.
Foundation Row (WS): Knit all sts (creates a purl ridge)
Body
Row 1 (RS): Knit all sts
Row 2 (WS): Purl all sts
These 2 rows create stocking stitch. Repeat these 2 rows until work measures 4 [5] in/10 [12.75] cm from cast-on edge ending after a RS row.
Crown option 1 – the soft pixie version
Prep Row: P1, *place marker P 10 [12]; rpt from * to last st, P1
Row 1: K1, *Knit to 2sts before marker, ssk; rpt from * to last st, K1
Row 2: Purl all sts
Repeat these 2 rounds until 6sts remain. Break yarn and draw through remaining 6sts, tighten to close.
Crown option 2 – the hardcore pixie version
Prep Row: P1, *place marker, P 15 [18]; rpt from * to last st, P1
Row 1: K1, *Knit to 2sts before marker, ssk; rpt from * to last st, K1
Row 2: Purl all sts
Repeat these 2 rounds until 4sts remain. Break yarn and draw through remaining 4sts, tighten to close.
Finishing
Using mattress stitch, sew up seam to close (a 1st selvedge on either side of the work has been provided to help seaming). Weave in all ends.
A light blocking is recommended to help the shaping settle. It is best to block this Hat flat, and rotate as necessary to avoid creases.
Pointy Hats, 'cos scientists are wizards, no? https://t.co/8Wg2YtuO9Z
— Woolly Wormhead (@WoollyWormhead) February 16, 2017
I happened to be online at the right time when talk of Hats for the #scientistsmarch cropped up. My first reaction was...
... and so A Hat To Make A Point was born.
There were lots of reasons why the Women's March was a success, worldwide. The drive to knit and crochet Hats, the revival of the crafts for many women, the sea of colour, and the acknowledgement of what many of us have known for sometime - that knitting, and crochet, are empowering and valid avenues for activism.
I'm unable to march, and offering up a free pattern is the least I can do to help.
There are 2 sizes included - 19in (12mth through to small adult) and 22in (average adult female).
There are 3 different brim options and 2 different crown options (depending on how much of a point you want to make)
And because I want to be as accessible to as many knitters as possible, I've included instructions for knitting in the round AND knitting flat.
It's a bumper pattern!
I used Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica as it's a great woolly chunky yarn that knits up super quick and provides women in Uruguay with social and economic opportunities through the Manos cooperatives. (I'm a big fan of fairtrade yarn, as you know).
Knit this Hat and be part of the community. And don't let anyone tell you that you should keep politics out of knitting - this is your choice, not theirs. (besides, they may need a lecture in why knitting is a political act in and of itself)
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