FIBERSPRCE Demi-Brim Felted Hat P-7
Casual and comfortable, the Demi-Brim Felted Hat is a quick and easy knit. Customized looks can be achieved by choosing one of three hatband styles; two are beaded knitting, one is a simple elongated stitch pattern. 150 yards of a light bulky yarn or a worsted combined with a sport weight yarn works well for the hat. Yarns pictured: WoolPak in Sand (left), Heather (right), Brown Sheep NatureSpun worsted in Beet Red and Interlacements Cheyenne in Poppy Fields (center).
Materials
Hat: 1 hank (250gm/310yds) Wool Around The World 14 Ply WoolPak Hatband: 1 skein (50gm/184yds) Brown Sheep NatureSpun Sport -hatband requires 50 yds Hat: US Size 11 double pointed needles & 24" circular Hatband: US Size 4 needles ·Ring marker, locking stitch marker 1. Beaded Hatband: 1-2 strands (approx 150-250) Size 6 seed beads in contrasting color tapestry needle
Gauge
Techniques
M1: Make one. Make a st by picking up the loop lying between the st just worked and the next st. Knit into the back of this st. Transferring Seed Beads to yarn: For best results, place the strand of beads on a cookie sheet or something similar to catch “runaways". Untie knot on beads. Tie a knot around the last bead of the strand. Unwind 3-4 yards of wool and leave attached to ball. Tie the unknotted end of the bead string to the wool (single knot only), about 1/2"- 1" from the end. Gently slide the beads from the strand over the knot and onto the wool. Transfer short sections of beads and move them down the full length of the wool. If a bead will not go over the knot, undo the knot and remove the bead. Beads can also be transferred using a small tapestry needle. Beaded Knitting: Insert the needle into the next st to be knit, slide a bead up against work and knit the stitch. This technique is used when knitting on the wrong side (WS) and results in bead placement on the right side (RS).
Brim
With circular needle, loosely CO 90 sts. Join in round, being careful not to twist stitches. Rnd 1: Purl. Rnd 2: Knit. Rnd 3: Purl. Rnd 4: \*K7, k2tog, repeat \* around. (80 sts) Rnds 5-7: Repeat Rnds 1-3. Rnd 8: K3, k2tog, \*k6, k2tog, repeat \* to last 3 sts, k3. Rnd 9: Purl. (70 sts) Rnd 10: \*K5, k2tog, repeat \* around. (60 sts) Rnd 11: Purl. Rnd 12: K2, k2tog, \*k4, k2tog, repeat \* to last 2 sts, k2. Place locking stitch marker or pin on this round to mark beginning of crown. (50 sts) Rnds 13-14: Knit. Rnd 15: \*K2, m1, k3, m1, repeat \* around. (70 sts) Work around on these 70 sts in st st (k every round) unt hat measures 7" from marker at crown.
Top Decreases
Note: Switch from circular needle to double points when knitting becomes tight on the circular needle. Rnd 1: \*K8, k2tog, repeat \* around. (63 sts) Rnds 2 & 3: Knit. Rnd 4: \*K7, k2tog, repeat \* around. (56 sts) Rnd 5: Knit. Rnd 6: \*K6, k2tog, repeat \* around. (49 sts) Rnd 7: \*K5, k2tog, repeat \* around. (42 sts) Rnd 8: \*K4, k2tog, repeat \* around. (35 sts) Rnd 9: \*K3, k2tog, repeat \* around. (28 sts) Rnd 10: \*K2, k2tog, repeat \* around. (21 sts) Rnd 11: \*K1, k2tog, repeat \* around. (14 sts) Rnd 12: \*K2tog, repeat \* around. (7 sts) Break yarn, sew through remaining 7 sts. Bring tail to inside of hat, knot and weave in.
Bead Knitted Hatband - Zig Zag
One pattern repeat = approx 21/4" Transfer 1 strand or approx 150 size 6 seed beads to sport weight yarn (see Techniques). With size 4 needle, CO 6 sts. Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17: Slip 1 st knitwise, k to end. Row 2: Slip 1 st knitwise, slide 1 bead, k to end. Row 4: Slip 1 st knitwise, k1, slide 1 bead, k to end. Row 6: Slip 1 st knitwise, k2, slide 1 bead, k to end. Row 8: Slip 1 st knitwise, k3, slide 1 bead, k to end. Row 10: Slip 1 st knitwise, k4, slide 1 bead, k to end. Row 12: Slip 1 st knitwise, k3, slide 1 bead, k to end. Row 14: Slip 1 st knitwise, k2, slide 1 bead, k to end. Row 16: Slip 1 st knitwise, k1, slide 1 bead, k to end. Repeat Rows 1-17 for 21-23" or until desired length, ending with Row 16. Bind off. Join hatband in round and sew bind off and cast on edges together, matching pattern repeat. DO NOT FELT.
Bead Knitted Hatband - Diagonals
One pattern repeat = approx e" Transfer 1 strand or approx 150 size 6 seed beads to sport weight yarn (see Techniques). With size 4 needle, CO 6 sts. Rows 1, 3, 5, 7: Slip 1 st knitwise, k to end. Row 2: Slip 1 st knitwise, slide 1 bead, k4, slide 1 bead, k1. Row 4: Slip 1 st knitwise, k1, slide 1 bead, k to end. Row 6: Slip 1 st knitwise, k2, slide 1 bead, k to end. Row 8: Slip 1 st knitwise, k3, slide 1 bead, k to end. Repeat Rows 1-8 for 21-23" or until desired length, ending with Row 8. Bind off. Join hatband in round and sew bind off and cast on edges together, matching pattern repeat. DO NOT FELT
Simple Knitted Hatband
With sport weight yarn and size 4 needle, CO 5 sts. Row 1: Knit. Row 2: Knit. Row 3: K1, \*YO, k1, repeat \* across. Row 4: Knit, dropping all the YOs across. Repeat Rows 1-4 for 28-36", depending on how it will be tied on hat. Make hatband shorter for a simple knot, longer for a small bow. Next Rows: Repeat Row 1 & 2. Bind off. DO NOT FELT. After hat is dry, tie hatband in either a simple knot or a small bow at the hat back or side.
Felting
Set washer for heavy-duty cycle, low water level and hot water. Add a few drops of liquid laundry soap to the water. Place hat in a zippered bag and drop in the washer. Agitate. Check on hat after about 10 minutes of agitation, then every 3-5 minutes until it is the desired size. Reset agitation cycle, if needed, until cap is the proper size. Continue with either method listed below to finish the felting process. "Faint of Heart Method": Remove hat from washer and squeeze out excess water - do not wring. Place in tub or bowl of cool water and rinse by hand. Squeeze out excess water, shape hat and let dry. "Living Dangerously in the Spin Cycle Method": (Disclaimer: Do not attempt this method while talking on the phone, polishing your nails or disciplining children. Your undivided attention is an absolute necessity!) Let washer proceed to rinse cycle. Agitate hat for 10-20 seconds. Stop washer. Reset washer to pump out water and spin. Once spinning begins, spin hat for about 20 seconds. Stop washer. Remove hat from bag and position in tub so that brim is up against the tub wall and the top is facing the agitator. Spin for another 20 seconds. Most of the water will be spun out and there should be no unsightly creases. Shape hat and let dry.
Finishing
When hat is completely dry, brush lightly with wire brush to remove any excess fibers. Position hatband where desired and lightly tack down in two to four places with matching thread or yarn.
