Rip Cord Hat: Parachute-Inspired Knitting Pattern with Detailed Instructions and Online Extras

Rip Cord Hat

Parachute inspired lines run cleanly to the top in this simple but striking pattern.

Online Extras

Detailed pattern w/lnstructions & Charts ·5 Gauges & 5 Cast On Options New skills including the Showy Decrease, Wavy Tail Cast On, and Double Decker Hat Top Pattern links to online tips, detailed Photobucket pictures & blog posts Chart files to load onto your phone or tablet. More project tips and technique help.

From the Designer

Do you have someone to knit for who likes to keep it simple? If so, this hat may be just the thing. Although one of our less complex visual patterns, the hat's simple lines are striking. This hat uses two types of vertical decreases in a similar manner - allowing the vertical pattern to seamlessly flow into crown hiding the shaping in plain sight. There are two brim options available. One introduces a perpendicular element with raised horizontal lines.

Overview

The Rip Cord Hat is the second in a trio of hat patterns designed to introduce and demonstrate various uses for the Showy & Subtle Decrease. The first, the Vortex Hat, uses diagonal lines of Showy Decreases to create a swirl pattern from the base to the top of the hat. The Vortex is the easier of the two patterns because the lean of the k2tog decrease naturally creates the spiral shape. Vertical decreases are a bit trickier but helpful to understand. Here's the issue when designing vertical lines. When you partner a k2tog with a yarn over on its right side, the decrease lines up vertically. However, as soon as you take away that yarn over (so it becomes a working decrease) the k2tog tilts to the right and there goes your vertical element. Therefore, instead of the 8 single decreases used in the Vortex Hat (see chart to the right), this crown is shaped using 4 double decreases that alternate across the 8 vertical lines. You've used this decrease before, it's the Centered Double Decrease (s2kp), but this time you're going to make it pop. Introduced in the Vortex Hat Pattern and also used here:

Want More Information?

1. The pattern page online has links to downloadable charts, photos, more.. 2. Free Tutorial Downloads for the Resilient Cast On, Showy Decrease and Double Decker Hat Top are available on our Techniques page online. 3. Our blog posts are full of descriptions, tips, charts and sample swatches. We blogged about this hat in January 2014. 4. More pictures and examples are available on our Photobucket site. 5. If you would like to download the charts you can do so on our website at: knittingnuances.com/help Introduction to Showy Decreases Double Decker Hat Closure Facebook Pinterest Wordpress New in this hat pattern: The Wavy Tail Cast On A double Showy Decrease Vertical Showy Decreases Raised Ridge

This is what the Vortex spiral hat top decreases look like. We can't use that here b/c we want the lines to move vertically. Download free tutorials for all of these on our Techniques page.

Reference Sheet

Gauge & Cast On Options

yor (yarn over reversed):

Wrap yarn around needle from front to back. The yarn over reversed increase is paired with a k2tog to create vertical Showy Decreases without an eyelet. The opposite st orientation means you can knit it normally on the next rnd (row) to close the loop.

Knitting Instructions

Brim

> Cast on 64 (72, 80, 88, 96) stitches using the Wavy Tail Cast On in a 3 x 1 rib pattern. There is a tutorial included in your pattern. The slip stitch counts as the first purl cast on. Continue from there as follows: \* 3 standard cast on sts, 1 purl cast on st.\* skipping the purl co on the last set. You can use the standard long tail cast on to keep things simpler > Connect to knit in the round (being careful not to twist) and place marker for beginning of round. > Knit a 3x1 brim for 3/4 inch for infant, baby, child or 1" for adult sizes: \*p1, k3\* · Work raised ridge round: \*yo, p2tog\* (please see note to the right). · Knit 2 rnds closing all the yo's from prior rnd by knitting through the back loop. Work 1 more raised ridge round · Knit 2 rnds closing all the yo's from prior rnd by knitting through the back loop.

Main Hat

· The hat is knit in 8 sections of 8 ( 9, 10, 11, 12). Place markers for each section. · Set up Showy Decrease in the center of each set. - Rnd 1: \* k4 (4, 5, 5, 6), sl1, k3 (4, 4, 5, 5) \* - Rnd 2: \* k3 (3, 4, 4, 5) yoR, k2tog, k3 (4, 4, 5, 5) \* Note: The increase is less noticeable if you yarn over in reverse. The eyelets are closed by knitting normally instead of knitting through the backloop. If you forget you can reorient the yarn on the next round before knitting it closed. See photo to the right. The lower part with arrow is before, the top after. > Continue knitting Round 3 and 4 of charts to the right, as follows: 1.Round 3, Set Up: \* k3 (3, 4, 4, 5), k1 to close, sl1, k 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) 2.Round 4, Decrease: \* k3 (3, 4, 4, 5), yoR, k2tog, k 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) \* Knit until hat is 4.0" (4.25", 4.5", 4.5", 5.0") from edge for sizes baby (child, small medium, large). Hat height is determined by size, not the number of sts. > If you're still working on one needle it's time to divide the stitches onto two needles.

Simple Hat Shaping (Option 1)

> The hat shaped this way will have more of a square shaped top. · Continue existing vertical Showy Decrease pattern for 4 of the sections. On the other 4 alternating sections knit a centered double decrease until there are 2 sts remaining in each of the 8 sections (16 tota) ending on a set up rnd so all yarn overs are closed. If it looks like you'll have an extra st on the last dec round, just eliminate the yarn over on the Showy Decrease. > Continue with Double Decker Hat Top instructions on next page.

Modifications for Beginner Knitters

Two changes make this a simpler hat: 1. Eliminate the Wavy Tail Cast On and work a standard Long Tail Cast On. 2. Chose the simpler 4-point hat shaping below.

Even Repeats (8, 10, 12)

Odd Repeats (9 or 11)

Raised Ridge

Here's a much more interesting way to add a raised ridge than just purling one round. Alternate a yarn over with p2tog and closing the yarn over on the next round. (blog post) Design Option: You can skip the ridges. Knit the brim to desired height and pick up pattern at Main Hat with the knit round. Yarning Over in Reverse

Detailed Hat Shaping (Option 2)

> The hat shaped this way will have a true round shaped top and the vertical lines will match more closely than the simple version. Overview There are 8 sets of stitches, each with a vertical Showy Decrease in the center. To shape the hat a s2kp decrease will be knit in half of them (i.e yellow lines), while a k2tog is knit in the alternating ones (red lines). The location of the decreases switch every other row. This is done by starting the decrease pattern 2 rounds later for the red lines. Here are some yarn over guidelines: ·yarn overs are worked wiTH the Double Decrease and · yarn overs are NoT used with the k2tog, which turns them both into single decreases that extend in a nice vertical line. Spotting that yarn over (or not) helps know which decrease to knit next in each set.

Decreasing

The decreases continue from the vertical line pattern you have already established as shown in rounds 1 and 2 of the sample chart to the right. This chart shows 8 sts per set but the idea is the same for all, use your existing line. Notice how the decreases start in Round 3 on the right (yellow) and on Round 5 for the alternating set (left side). These 2 sections repeat 4 times around the hat. The table below details the instructions for each size, isolating the decrease stitch instructions in their own column for clarity. This repeat starts on row 3 for the yellow sections and on row 5 for the red sections.

Red Lines Yellow Lines

The Last Few Stitches

On the last decrease set do not add a yarn over to the double decrease (shown as red outlined square on Rnd 6 in chart to the right). That willeave you with 1 Showy Decrease and 1 standard stitch per set (16 total).

Double Decker Hat Closure

A fullpage tutorial hasbeen included at the end of thepattern. The 16 remaining stitches will be closed in 2 tiers: the raised Showy Decrease stitches will be closed on top of the standard stitches continuing our theme of adding texture and design detail to the hat. I like to work this part on a table.

- Cut a tail about 12" long and run the end through a tapes - Start at the beginning of the other needle (BOR). 1. Slip the 1st stitch (regular) onto the tapestry needle and tail 2. Slip the next stitch to the other end of the same knitting needle (this just gets it out of the way). Note: you can also slip these to a piece of scrap yarn if you are using the Magic Loop method. - Continue these 2 steps, 7 more times until all regular knitting stitches are on the yarn tail. Pull tight to close. - Now starting at the beginning of round again, run the yarn tail through the remaining raised stitches and pull tight (not too tight) to close. - Run the tail through these same stitches a few times to add more height. - Push the tail down through the center and weave in.

The Wavy Tail Cast On

The Technique

The Wavy-Tail Cast On alternates a traditional long-tail cast on with a reversed long-tail cast on that mimics the purl stitch. There are several benefits. First, it looks more interesting than the standard chain edge but it's more functional also. The cast on has more give and in enhances the flow of the rib stitch. Here's how it works ... Set up just as you would for a long tail cast on with plenty of yarn for the tail. This cast on uses approximately the same length. The tail is on the left over the thumb as usual. > Knit stitch (standard): the needle travels behind and through the thumb loop from left to right, over to grab finger yarn, and bring it back through the thumb loop. 、 Purl stitch: the needle travels to the outside of the finger loop, through the loop from right to left, then over to the thumb yarn. Grab the thumb yarn from beneath and bring it through the finger loop. Snuggle the yarn up to the needle, but don't pull too tightly. You do not want to “cast on loosely" for this technique or you'll lose the structure. You can combine knit and purl castons to match your rib pattern (1x1, 1x2, 3x3 etc.).

Before ...

After ...

Shown above is a 1 by 1 rib with the traditional long tail cast on and the Wavy Tail cast on. The effect is even more dramatic in the 3 by 2 rib up top.

Traditional Knit Cast On

The Purl Cast On

Finger Loop

Double Decker Hat Top

Add texture and interest where there's been none before with this easy two-tier hat closure. Here's a fun new technique that's quick, easy and can work on almost any hat pattern. We combine it with our Showy Decrease for real punch.

Separating the Stitches

The hat crown is shaped by decreases every other round until there are just 2 stitches per decrease set remaining For example, if you are working 8 decreases there will be 16 stitches remaining. These stitches alternate in two categories: those that are part of a Showy Decrease and those that are not. After your last decrease round: > cut the working yarn with a 12" tail and thread it through a tapestry needle. The sts are still on 2 circular needles. Slip the stitches one by one onto: 1. the tapestry needle with yarn tail if it is a 'normal' stitch and, 2. the other end of the same circular needle (without working it) if it is a raised Showy Decrease stitch.

The Lower Layer

With the tail running through all the normal sts, pulltight to close. 8 sts remain on your 2 circular needles.

The Upper Layer

, Run the tapestry needle and yarn tail through the remaining stitches. Slide off knitting needles and pull tight to close. . Run the tapestry needle and yarn through the small circle of raised stitches again a few times to augment the height (optional). , Push the tapestry needle down through the center of the hat top and weave in remaining ends. More information and project photos are available on our web site at KnittingNuances.com/Techniques.

For demonstration purposes, the raised stitches were placed on holders (OK, paperclips) to separate them. The tail has been run through the lower stitches ready to be pulled tight.

Adapting Existing Patterns

For this 2-color Galaxy Hat, the lower tier is closed with the gray yam while the upper stitches will be closed with the contrasting red yarn. These hats use 8 deceases every other round, which is typical for hat shaping. At the top there are 8 sets of 2 (16 stitches) remaining. For our patterns one of these stitches is a raised Showy Decrease. If you're using another pattern, decrease until you have 2 stitches for each decrease set. Split the stitches in half as above, closing every other stitch on the lower layer and slipping the others to close on top. We recommend no fewer than 6 sets of stitches (12 total) for this technique.

Star Top Option

Cut a 15" tail. After you've pulled the lower layer tight, knit 1 more round with the upper layer stitches for this star effect.