Cornered

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Description

Cornered is worked in garter stitch from the bottom up. The pattern is designed to highlight the patterning of self-striping or variegated yarn. The crown has two decrease lines directly opposite each other, both sitting at 45 degrees. The decreases angle upwards to create corners and the top of the Hat is seamed. When laid flat, the crown shape looks like a classic sock toe.

Availability

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Yarn
350yd/120m/100g
Sock weight, multi-plied yarn.

Needles & Notions
Set 2.75mm/UK12/US2 DPNs/Circular or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker as necessary
Tapestry needle

Sample details
Shown in Koigu PPPM [175yd/160m per 50g; 100% Merino] – the sample shown used approx. 60g.

Shown in size 22in/56cm on model with 23in/58.5cm circumference head

Gauge
26 sts x 48 rows to 4in/10cm on 2.75mm needles over Garter St.

Sizes
To fit sizes: 19 [22] in/48.25 [56] cm
Finished size: 16 [18.5] in/43.75 [47] cm
Not sure which size to make? Check my handy size and measuring guide!

Skills required
Garter Stitch

Knitting in the round

Increases & decreases

Garter Stitch Kitchener stitch OR 3-needle bind-off

Abbreviations

K: knit

P: purl

rpt: repeat

st(s): stitch(es)

SSK: slip next 2 sts knitwise, then knit these 2 sts together through the backs of the loops

k2tog: knit next 2sts together

Body

Using Cable cast-on method, cast on 104 [120] sts. Join in the round, taking care not to twist the stitches. Place stitch marker to indicate the start of the round. (hint: I generally work a purl row flat onto a cable cast-on then join in the round - gives a nicer edge to the garter stitch)

Rnd 1: Knit all sts

Rnd 2: Purl all sts

Work these 2 rounds, creating garter stitch in the round, until work measures 4.75 [5.5]in/12 [14]cm from cast on edge, ending after a purl round.

For this Hat I used a fairly equal mix of brown and blue sock yarn, in pretty random stripes. I didn't follow a specific striping formula, I simply changed colour when I felt like it. The only thing I did was to change colour on a purl round, as I like the effect it gives. For your Hat you could use one colour or five - it's entirely up to you!

On the last round of the Body it might be helpful to add an additional stitch marker at the 60st/halfway point - this will allow you to work the crown shaping with less counting.

Crown

19in size start at Rnd 9; 22in size start at Rnd 1.

Rnd 1: [k2tog, K56, ssk] twice (116 sts)

Rnd 2 & all even rounds: Purl all stitches

Rnd 3: [k2tog, K54, ssk] twice (112 sts)

Rnd 5: [k2tog, K52, ssk] twice (108 sts)

Rnd 7: [k2tog, K50, ssk] twice (104 sts)

Rnd 9: [k2tog, K48, ssk] twice (100 sts)

Rnd 11: [k2tog, K46, ssk] twice (96 sts)

Rnd 13: [k2tog, K44, ssk] twice (92 sts)

Rnd 15: [k2tog, K42, ssk] twice (88 sts)

Rnd 17: [k2tog, K40, ssk] twice (84 sts)

Continue in this manner, decreasing 4 sts every other round, until you have decreased half the stitches - and have 52 [60] sts remaining - ending after a decrease round.

The Crown can get rather awkward, as you're creating angled flat corners - you may find it easier to work the stitches parallel on 2 circs or 3 DPNs rather than try to continue working on a more circular set up.

Finish

To close the top, K 26 [30] and lay the Hat flat. Then proceed to work kitchener for garter stitch to close the top. You only work half the stitches before closing the top, as this sets up the stitches perfectly for garter stitch grafting. If you don't fancy grafting, you could turn the work inside out and use a 3-needle bind-off, or alternatively, I think a crochet bind-off looks pretty neat with garter stitch.

Weave in all ends. Blocking isn't necessary.

Life has continued to be turbulent, and has required yet more sanity knitting. And you know what sanity knitting means, yes? Yup indeedy, it means Aran has another new Hat and there's another freebie pattern to be published.

Not that Aran needs any more Hats.

Garter stitch has to be one of the most soothing and relaxing stitches going, and it was the perfect choice for this Hat and my sanity. Given that it's knit in sock yarn then it's the perfect knitting for a night or two infront of the TV. 'Cos we all need those from time to time.

This is the quick version of the pattern: the fuller version (with other sizes) is coming in the near future!

This finished Hat is a little big for Aran, but that's cool, he'll grow into it. As there are  sharp corners on a garter stitch ground he does get that little 'ears' effect. However, with more negative ease, the Hat will be stretched out and the pattern at the Crown becomes much more evident, a hint of which can be seen in the photo above. 

It's a very simple construction but pretty effective, methinks. The ideal way to use up odds and ends of sock weight yarn.

Changing the size is super easy - you want a multiple of 4 sts, and don't forget to factor in a fair bit of negative ease; 3+in is ideal for this Hat. I'd still check your gauge and if it alters, a quick bit of maths will set you straight :)

Although Aran is much better, he's still off school as his kidneys aren't functioning 100% yet and his immune system is still compromised. It's been a long recovery; we were discharged from hospital on 7th January, a whole month ago. He's been having weekly tests, and this thursday he's another bunch of blood and urine tests, and we're hoping they'll give us the OK for him to start hanging out with the hoards of little people again.

I'm still working part time while Aran is off; I've managed to conquer my pile of pattern writing and now a mountain of admin awaits. Methinks I'm only about 6 weeks behind now? It's always tough trying to balance working from home and a poorly kid, but we're getting through it.