Droplets
A hat by Hollianna Bryan
This hat was born out of frustration at yet another weeping spring day. Was the sun never to appear? Would we drown forever in rain, the water washing buds off the trees before they could bloom? I wanted something pretty, cozy, and hopeful and so adapted Mist Drops from The Principles of Knitting. But, as I was trying to stop thinking of the inclement present, I added little stems to each drop: now, they're droplets of potentiality——-water, perhaps, or fruit, or petals—-preparing to turn into something new. Twisted stitches in the brim and a lace inset panel add a sophisticated touch to what is otherwise a simple hat. Whether you choose a bright color or a calming neutral, the lace pattern will show best in yarns with less color variation.
Needle: 4mm (US 6)
Materials: 200 yards worsted weight yarn; model in Cascade Quattro. Abbreviations: yo: yarn over; BO: bobble; p2tog: purl two together; k2tog: knit two together; ssk: slip stitch knit; DEC: 2 stitch decrease; psso: pass stitch over; ktbl: knit through the back loop; m1: make one. Bobble: in same stitch, knit, yo, knit, yo, knit, turn; purl 5, turn; k2tog, sl1, ssk, pull 2 stitches over (1 remaining). Decrease: slip 1, k2tog, psso. Make 1: pick up the bar before the next stitch, knit purlwise. Dimensions: Finished length, 9.5 inches; brim, 16 inches unstretched. Slightly slouchy with relaxed drape. Credits: Droplets pattern adapted from Mist Drops in Principles of Knitting. On US 6 (4mm) needles, cast on 90 stitches. For the brim, \* p1, ktbl, p1 \* for 1.5 inches. Then knit a set up round: k36, p20, k34 and proceed to the inset instructions. All pattern instructions are worked in the purl 20 inset. Knit the surrounding stitches. The written instructions are separated into sections to indicate where each droplet starts. R1: p4, kl, yo, kl, yo, kl, purl to end R2: p4, k5, purl to end R3: p4, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, purl to end R4: p4, k7, purl to end R5: p4, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, purl to end R6: p4, k9, purl to end R7: p4, k4, BO, k4, purl to end R8: p4, k9, purl to end R9: p4, k3, DEC, k3, purl to end R10: p4, k7, purl to end R11: p4, k2, DEC, k2, purl to end R12: p4, k5, purl to end R13: p4, k, DEC, kl, pl, kl, yo, kl, yo, k1, purl to end R14: p4, k3, p1, k5, purl to end R15: p4, k3, p1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2 purl to end R16: p4, k3, p1, k7, purl to end R17: p4, m1, DEC, ml, pl, k3, yo, kl, yo, k3, purl to end R18: p5, ktbl, p2, k9, purl to end R19: p5, ktbl, p2, k4, BO, k4, purl to end R20: p5, ktbl, p2, k9, purl to end R21: p5, ktbl, p2, k3, DEC, k3, purl to end R22: p5, ktbl, p2, k7, purl to end R23: p5, kbl, p2, k2, DEC, k2, purl to end R24: p8, k5, purl to end R25: p8, k, DEC, k1, pl, k1, yo, kl, yo, k1, purl to end (5) R26: p8, k3, p1, k5, p to end R27: p8, k3, p1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, purl to end R28: p8, k3, p1, k7, purl to end R29: p8, m1, DEC, m1, p1, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, purl to end R30: p9, ktbl, p2, k9, purl to end R31: p9, ktbl, p2, k4, BO, k4, purl to end R32: p9, ktbl, p2, k9, purl to end R33: p9, ktbl, p2, k3, DEC, k3, purl to end R34: p9, ktbl, p2, k7, purl to end R35: p9, ktbl, p2, k2, DEC, k2, purl to end R36: p12, k5, purl to end R37: p12, kl, DEC, k1, purl to end R38: p12, k3, purl to end R39: p12, k3, purl to end R40: p12, k3, purl to end R41: p12, ml, DEC, m1, purl to end R42-7: p13, ktbl, purl to end R48: purl all. Knit the knits and purl the purls until the hat measures 9.5 inches from cast on The decreases are worked within each three section. Row 1: \* k2tog \*; \* p2tog \*; then, \* k2tog\*. Row 2 and 3: knit the knits, purl the purls. Row 4: \* k2tog, k1 \*; then \* p2tog \*; then \* k2tog, k1\* until last 2, k2tog. Row 5: knit the knits and purl the purls Row 6: \* k2tog \*; then p2tog, pl, p2tog; then \* k2tog \*. Row 7: \* k2tog \*; then slip 1 with yarn in front, p2tog, psso; then \* k2tog \*. Draw yarn through the remaining stitches and bind off. Weave in all ends.
Droplets Chart
Note: The chart is worked right to left, starting at the bottom. Please note that the cells indicating purl stitches on the left side DO NOT directly correlate to the numbers you should knit. Please use them as an indication that the pattern ends and that you should purl until you get to the end of the purl 20 inset. (See the written instructions for further clarity.)
Symbol Guide:
Purl Make 1 M Knit Yarn Over 0 Ktbl & Bobble B Dec
