Bubbles Hat
Skill Level - Advanced Beginner - Intermediate
Description:
A simple color-stranded hat with circles that uses two different yarns to give the circles a bubbling effect, hence the name of the pattern. Pattern is sized for an $18^{\mathfrak{"}}$ head $(\sim\!6\!-\!12$ months). The pattern can be adapted to other sizes by increasing or decreasing the stitch number by 12 (please see note below). The hat can be knitted with magic loop method or with a smaller circular needle (15") and double point needles used for the crown.
Figure 1. Bubbles hat on model. Size: 18" circumference (\~ 6 - 12 months)
Materials Needed:
-Main Color (MC) or background color - 1 skein of Fantasy by Dark Horse Yarns (Color 102; 205 yds/skein, $50\%$ nylon $150\%$ acrylic). -Contrast Color (CC)or Foreground color - 1 skein of Fleece by Knit One Crochet Too (color 205; 109 yds/skein, $100\%$ polyester). - 29" Circular needle, US 7 $(4.5\;\mathsf{m m})$ for magic loop method. Optional, US 5 (3.75 mm). - Other notions: One stitch marker to mark beginning of row, tapestry needle.
Gauge (measured over color stranded patterning): 6 sts/inch and 6 rows/inch.
Note: To alter size - because the ribbing is a $_{2\times2}$ rib (K2, P2 rib), the pattern increase is in increments of 12 which is equivalent to two inches in the colorwork section. This means that if you want a 16" hat, you need to decrease the stitch number by 12, if you want a $20^{\circ}$ hat, increase the stitch number by 12. If you do a rolled brim (stockinette only), you can increase or decrease in increments of 6 sts (colorwork pattern repeat) which is equivalent to an inch.
Pattern:
Brim:
CO 72 sts with US 7 needles (if you want a tighter brim, use the smaller needles). Join in the round, placing a marker to mark beginning of hat if not using magic loop method. Make sure not to twist the round when joining. Begin 2x2 rib pattern as follows: $^{\star}\mathsf{K}2$ , P2, repeat from \* around row. Repeat 2x2 rib pattern for 1.5". Alternate Brim: You may opt to use the smaller needles and knit a rolled brim - knit all rounds for 1.5".
Begin Hat:
K1 row in MC. K1 row in CC (optional row). K1 row in MC. Increase 12 sts around in MC (84 sts). K1 row in MC. Increase 12 sts around in MC (96 sts). K1 row in MC. Begin pattern sts for a total of 2 repeats. The hat will measure be approximately $3\,\%$ to $3\,\%$ inches after the brim.
After the colorwork:
If your hat is not long enough, continue to knit in MC the crown until about 2 inches from final desired length. The crown is knit in MC. Decrease as follows for the crown: Row 1: K1 row. Row 2: $\star\mathsf{K}4$ , K2tog, repeat from \* around (80 sts). Row 3: K1 row. Row 4: $^{\star}\mathsf{K}3$ , K2tog, repeat from \* around (64 sts). Row 5: K1 row. Row 6: $^{\star}\mathsf{K}2$ , K2tog, repeat from \* around (48 sts). Row 7: K1 row. Row 8: $^{\star}\mathsf{K}\mathsf{1}$ , K2tog, repeat from \* around (32 sts). Row 9: K1 row. Row 10: \*K2tog, repeat from \* around (16 sts). Row 11: \*K2tog, repeat from \* around (8 sts). Cut yarn tail, leaving about 12 inches and run this tail through the remaining sts. Pull tightly and weave in the tail in the top.
Finishing:
Weave in any yarn ends.
Abbreviations
· CC - contrast color or foreground color · pm - place stitch marker. · co - cast on. · P-purl. · K - knit. · RS - Right side row. · K2tog - Knit two stitches together; decrease · Ws - Wrong side row. slants to right. · MC - main color or background color Charts Charts are read from right to left only as you are knitting in the round.
Circles Chart (used in hat in Figure 1; half circles at top & bottom)
