OAK LEAVES SQUARE CROWN HAT
Inspired by the giant oak tree that has forever predominated my parents' back yard and the fall colors that my mom always wears, this hat is perfect for fall and is a great exercise in patience and stranded color work. The square crown is a fun and fancy touch that sets it apart from standard stockingcaps.
MATERIALS
Less than 1o0 yards each of worsted weight yarn in gold, rust, and brown. The sample was made with Encore by Plymouth Yarn (gold and rust) and Herrschner's Worsted 8 (brown). Set of 5 size US 8 double-pointed needles Large crochet hook or yarn needle
DIRECTIONS
Gauge: 21s X 22r = 4" in stranded color work Size: Adult Small (Medium, Large) Small has an 1812" circumference and fits a 201/2" head. Medium fits a 21-22" head, and Large fits a 23" head. The directions for the medium and large sizes were generated based on the gauge and dimensions of the
small and may be slightly off. I suggest knitting a swatch first to determine your exact gauge and what size you should make. Difficulty: Intermediate
Directions:
Cast on 100 (104, 114) stitches using the following method: Make a slip knot in with the rust-colored yarn, about 6 inches from the end. Slide this slipknot onto a needle and hold it in your right hand. Hold the tail end of the rust yarn and the gold yarn together in your right hand with the needle. Hold both working ends of the yarn in your left hand in the slingshot position (as for a traditional long-tail cast on) with the gold yarn over your thumb and the rust yarn over your index finger, then cast on normally in the long-tail cast on method. This produces a row of rust stitches on the needle with a gold edge. This technique is described and illustrated in Cast On, Bind Off by Leslie Ann Bestor. Divide stitches evenly onto four needles, join into a round, and work for 11%2" in k1 p1 ribbing, working the knits in gold and the purls in rust. Make sure to always carry the non-working yarn behindthework. Without cutting the rust or gold yarn, join and knit one round in brown, then work Chart A as indicated for the size you are making.
CHART A
the round by knitting four stitches in brown. All sizes: after completing the Chart A, knit one round in brown. Speckled section, all sizes: Knit one round in gold Round 1: (k1 brown, k1 red) repeat around Round 2: (k1 gold, k1 brown) repeat around Round 3: same as round 1 Round 4: same as round 2 Round 5: same as round 1 Knit one round in gold
Checked section:
Rounds 1 and 2: (k3 brown, k3 rust) repeat until 1 (2, 0) stitch/es remain/s, k1 (2, 0) in working yarn Rounds 3 and 4: (k3 gold, k3 brown) repeat until 1 (2, 0) stitch/es remain/s, k1 (2, 0) in working yarn Size large: work rounds 1 and 2 again All sizes: work this chart from right to left beginning with the bottom row. Small: Work this chart a total of 5 times each round. Medium: Work this chart 5 times each round and then end the round by knitting four stitches in brown. Large: Work this chart 5 12 times per round (ending after completing stitch 10 of the chart and 4 stitches remaining on the left needle), and end
Crown: cut gold and rust yarn and work in Stockinette stitch in brown until hat measures 812 (9, 10) inches from cast-on row. Knit 25 (26, 28), then turn work inside-out and work a 3-needle bind off. Turn the hat right-side-out and weave in tails. Cut 2, 16-inch lengths of each color of yarn, and use a large crochet hook or yarn needle to thread them through the two points/ends of the bind off and pull them halfway through. Divide the yarns into three bunches and braid them together. Tie the ends together in an overhand knot and cut the tails to an even length. You will have to manipulate the hat a bit to make the top flat as shown. Thank you for supporting an independent designer, and happy knitting!
