By Rebecca Osborn
Gooseberry
The many new colors available in "Kirby Meritime" begged to be mixed and matched into a simple but loud hat to scare away the winter doldrums. You can make this into a beanie, a tam, or any variety of slouchy hat, depending on how long you make the body and how you block and wear it.
Materials:
1 skein each of three colors of "Kirby Meritime" by Osborn Fiber Studio (Heavy Worsted Weight, 109 yards/skein; shown in Nectar, Raspberry Rouge, and Sprout Sage). US8/5mm 16" circular needle US8/5mmDPNs Stitch marker Sizes: Adult Small(Medium/Large); 20(22/24)" head circumference. Gauge: 6 st./in. in Gooseberry stitch (See page 2.)
Techniques & Abbreviations
K: Knit P:Purl KFB: Knit in the front and back of the same stitch S2KP: Slip 2 as if to Knit two together; Knit 1; Pass the slipped stitches over the knit stitch. 3in3: Knit 3 together, but do not remove the right needle from the stitches. Yarn over, then knit the same three stitches together again. [] - Brackets function the same as \*asterisks,\* but denote a repeat that occurs within another repeat.
Directions
Ribbing With Color 1 (Nectar Shown) and circular needle, using the cable cast on, cast on 80(84/88). Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Work K2, P2 rib for 1.5", or about 12 rounds. Increase round Attach color 2 (Raspberry Rouge shown), and work the appropriate increase round for your size. Small (20"): \*K1, KFB\* to end. Medium (22"): \*K1, KFB, K1, KFB, K2, KFB\* to end. Large (24"): \*K1, KFB, K2, KFB, K2, KFB, K2, KFB\* to end. All sizes end this round with 120 stitches. From here forward, directions for all sizes are the same. Body Work Rounds 2-12 of the Gooseberry Stitch, then work Rounds 1-12 2 more times (36 rounds total after ribbing). For a smaller beanie, work six fewer rounds; for a slouchier hat, work six more rounds.
Gooseberry Stitch1
Round 1: With Color 2, K. Round 2: With Color 2, \*P1, 3in3\* to end. Round 3: With Color 3, K. Round 4: With Color 3, P1, K1, \*P1, 3in3\* until 2 stitches remain; P1; K1. Round 5: With Color 1, K. Round 6: With Color 1, \*P1, 3in3\* to end. Round 7: With Color 2, K. Round 8: With Color 2, P1, K1, \*P1, 3in3\* until 2 stitches remain; P1; K1. Round 9: With Color 3, K. Round 10: With Color 3, \*P1, 3in3\* to end. Round 11: With Color 1, K. Round 12: With Color 1, P1, K1, \*P1, 3in3\* until 2 stitches remain; P1; K1. LIUVVII Work the crown as follows: Round 1: With color 2, K. Round 2: With color 2, \*P1, 3in3\* 2 times; \*P1, S2KP, [P1, 3in3] 4 times\* 5 times; P1; S2KP, \*P1, 3in3\* 2 times. (108 st.) Round 3: With color 3, K. Round 4: With color 3, P1; K1; P1; 3in3; \*P1, K1, S2KP, K1, [P1, 3in3] 3 times\* 5 times; P1; K1; S2KP; K1; P1; 3in3; P1; K1. Round 5: With Color 1, K. Round 6: With Color 1, P1; 3in3; \*P1, K1, P1, S2KP, P1, K1, [P1, 3in3] 2 times\* 5 times; P1; K1; P1; S2KP; P1; K1; P1; 3in3. Round 7: With Color 2, K. Round 8: With Color 2, P1; K1; P1; 3in3; \*S2KP, [3in3, P1] 2 times, 3in3\* 5 times; S2KP; 3in3; P1; K1. Round 9: With Color 3, K. Round 10: P1; 3in3; \*P1, S2KP, [P1, 3in3] 2 times\* 5 times; P1; S2KP; P1; 3in3. Round 12: With Color 1, K. Round 13: P1; K1; \*P1, K1, S2KP, K1, P1, 3in3\* 5 times; P1; K1; S2KP; K1; P1; K1. Round 14: With Color 2, K. Round 15: With Color 2, \*P1, K1, P1, S2KP, P1, K1\* 6 times. Round 16: With Color 3, K. Round 17: With Color 3, P1; K1; \*S2KP, 3in3\* 5 times; S2KP; K1. Break Color 3. Round 18: With Color 1, K. Round 19: With Color 1, \*P1, S2KP\* 6 times. Break Color 1. Round 20: With Color 2, K2tog 6 times. Break Color 2, and thread it through the remaining 6 stitches.
Finishing Weave in all ends. If you wish to wear it was a beanie or slouch hat, no blocking is necessary; wearing the hat will relax it to the shape of your head. If you wish to wear it as a tam, block it over a large dinner plate.
