Destashification Slouch Hat (proudly modeled on a Basketball!)

Slouch hats seem to be the hat of choice this winter.

And stripes abound!

Stripes are perfect for using those small pieces of yarn leftover from other projects.

The grey is the same yarn used to knit the Waffle Scarf:  Vanna’s Choice in Grey Marble.

The stripes are leftover yarn, mostly worsted weight, but some sport weight doubled.

Stripes Detail

Pattern:

Notes:  The hat is knit from the brim to the top.  Decreases are hidden in the stripes.  Instructions are provided for both circular needles and straight needles (scroll down). 

Each accent stripe requires approximately 5 yards of worsted weight yarn.  To use sport weight or fingering weight yarn just double it!

Hiding the decreases require they be staggered.  However, if one or two decreases are missed or a stitch or two off, do not despair (or unravel) – just move to the next row.  Knit hats do not require absolute perfection!

Materials:

• About 150 yards of worsted weight yarn for the base color.
• Several lengths of worsted weight yarn – each stripe requires approximately 5 yards.
• Size 5 and 7 needles, circular 16″.

Gauge:  18 – 20 stitches per 4 inches (the hat stretches)

Striped Slouch Hat!

Circular Needle Instructions:

Cast on 108 (120 for XL) stitches on size 5 needles using base color (BC).

Place marker and then making sure that stitches are not twisted, Knit 1 Purl 1 (K1, P1) rib for 2.5 inches.

Change to size 7 needles.

Knit 2 rows with BC.  Knit 2 rows with Contrasting Color (CC).  Repeat until striped section is 6″ long (7″ for XL).

Decrease Rows:

1. Row 1:  Knit 1 row with MC.
2. Row 2:  With MC *Knit 10, K 2 together*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
3. Row 3:  Knit 1 row with CC.
4. Row 4:  With CC Knit 4, *Knit 2 together, knit 9*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
5. Row 5:  Knit 1 row with MC.
6. Row 6:  With MC  Knit 5, *K 2 together, Knit 8*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
7. Row 7:  Knit 1 row with CC.
8. Row 8:  With CC Knit 2, *Knit 2 together, knit 7*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
9. Row 9:  Knit 1 row with MC.
10. Row 10:  With MC Knit 4, *Knit 2 together, knit 6*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
11. Row 11:  Knit 1 row with CC.
12. Row 12:  With CC Knit 1, *Knit 2 together, knit 5*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
13. Row 13:  Knit 1 row with MC.
14. Row 14:  With MC Knit 3, *Knit 2 together, knit 4*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
15. Row 15:  Knit 1 row with CC.
16. Row 16:  With CC  *Knit 2 together, knit 3*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
17. Row 17:  Knit 1 row with MC.
18. Row 18:  With MC *Knit 1, *Knit 2 together*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
19. Row 19:  Knit 1 row with MC.
20. Row 20:  With MC, Knit 2 together across row.

Cut yarn.  Thread onto large eyed darning needle.  Thread through remaining stitches and pull closed.  Weave end.

Weave ends of stripe yarn.

Straight Needle Instructions:

Cast on 108 (120 for XL) stitches on size 5 needles using base color (BC). 

Knit 1 Purl 1 (K1, P1) rib for 2.5 inches ending with Right Side row.

Change to size 7 needles. 

With Wrong Side facing: Purl one row with BC.  Knit one row with BC. 
Purl one row and knit one row with Contrasting Color (CC). 
Repeat until striped section is 6″ long (7″ for XL)

Decrease Rows:

1. Row 1:  Purl 1 row with MC. 
2. Row 2:  With MC *Knit 10, K 2 together*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
3. Row 3:  Purl 1 row with CC.
4. Row 4:  With CC Knit 4, *Knit 2 together, knit 9*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
5. Row 5:  Purl 1 row with MC.
6. Row 6:  With MC  Knit 5, *K 2 together, Knit 8*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
7. Row 7:  Purl 1 row with CC.
8. Row 8:  With CC Knit 2, *Knit 2 together, knit 7*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
9. Row 9:  Purl 1 row with MC.
10. Row 10:  With MC Knit 4, *Knit 2 together, knit 6*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
11. Row 11:  Purl 1 row with CC.
12. Row 12:  With CC Knit 1, *Knit 2 together, knit 5*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
13. Row 13:  Purl 1 row with MC.
14. Row 14:  With MC Knit 3, *Knit 2 together, knit 4*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
15. Row 15:  Purl 1 row with CC.
16. Row 16:  With CC  *Knit 2 together, knit 3*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
17. Row 17:  Purl 1 row with MC.
18. Row 18:  With MC *Knit 1, *Knit 2 together*.  Repeat between * and * to end.
19. Row 19:  Purl 1 row with MC.
20. Row 20:  With MC, Knit 2 together across row.

Cut yarn.  Thread onto large eyed darning needle.  Thread through remaining stitches and pull closed.  Continue with yarn to sew edges together.  Weave end.

Weave ends of stripe yarn.

Enjoy!