Description
MS Slouch is a slouchy Hat with a ribbed brim and moss (seed) stitch body and crown. The crown is gently gathered.
Availability
My Patreon supporters and members of The Woolly Hat Society get exclusive early access to new free patterns and tutorials. Once the exclusive period is over it’s published here on the blog.
Support
If you have a question about this pattern, pop it in a comment below. Sorry, but I’m unable to help with my free patterns or tutorials via email or private messages.
Social Media
Share your hand-knit Hats online with these hashtags!
#WWMSBeanie
Yarn
175yd/160m/100g
Aran weight, plied yarn.
Needles & Notions
Set 4.5mm/UK7/US7 DPNs/Circular or size needed to obtain gauge
8 stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Sample details
Shown in Countess Ablaze The English Gentleman Aran [175yd/160m per 100g; 75% Bluefaced Leicester, 25% Masham]
Shown in size 21in/53.25cm on model with 21in/53.25cm circumference head
Gauge
18 sts x 24 rows to 4in/10cm on 4.5mm needles over St.St
18 sts x 24 rows to 4in/10cm on 4.5mm needles over Twisted Rib
Sizes
To fit sizes: 17 [19, 21, 23] in/43.25 [48.25, 53.25, 58.5] cm
Finished size: 14.25 [16, 17.75, 19.5] in/36.25 [40.75, 45, 49.5] cm
Not sure which size to make? Check my handy size and measuring guide!
Skills required
Moss (Seed) Stitch
Knitting in the round
Abbreviations
K: knit
P: purl
rpt: repeat
Rnd(s): rounds
st(s): stitch(es)
K1tbl: knit stitch through the back of the loop
M1P: pick up the horizontal loop between sts, place it onto the left needle then purl into the back of it
k2tog: knit next 2sts together
p2tog: purl next 2sts together
Note
This pattern is designed for Moss Stitch (US Seed Stitch) and is designed to be continuous and jogless. The crown shaping is based on a multiple of 8 and should you wish to adjust the pattern for different sizes and/or different gauges, you will want to cast on with a multiple of 8 plus 2.
How to
Using Alternate Cable cast-on method for 2x2 ribbing, cast on 64 [72, 80, 88] sts
Join in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches. Place stitch marker to indicate start of round.
Brim
Next Rnd: *K1tbl, K1tbl, P2; rpt from * to end
Repeat this round until work measures 1.25 [1.25, 1.5, 1.75] in/ 3.25 [3.25, 3.75, 4.5] cm (or desired length)
Inc Rnd: *P2, M1P, P2; rpt from * to end, M1P [81, 91, 101, 111 sts]
Note
To create jogless Moss/Seed Stitch we need an odd number of stitches, hence the decrease on the final round of the Brim. This essentially allows us to work in a spiral (which is what happens when we knit in the round) whereby the last stitch of the proceeding round is different to the first stitch of the next round, thus keeping the pattern continuous. We will adjust for the odd number of stitches right before starting the crown shaping.
Body
Rnd 1: *K1, P1; rpt from * to last st, K1
Rnd 2: *P1, K1; rpt from * to last st, P1
Repeat these 2 rounds until work measures approx. 7 [8, 8.75, 9.5] in/17.75 [20.25, 22.25, 24.25] cm (or desired length) from cast-on edge ending after a Rnd 2.
Crown prep Rnd: *K1, P1; rpt from * to last st, remove marker, k2tog, replace marker [80, 90, 100, 110 sts]
Note
The Crown preparation round knits the very last stitch of the round together with the first stitch of the next round, and moves the marker by 1st.
Throughout the crown you will continue the Moss/Seed stitch between the stitch markers – do this by purling the knits and knitting the purls – as established in the Body section.
Crown
Rnd 1: *k2tog, p2tog; rpt from * to end [40, 45, 50, 55 sts]
Rnd 2: *k2tog, p2tog; rpt from * to last 0 [1, 2, 3] sts, k2tog 0 [0, 1, 1] times, K 0 [1, 0, 1] [20, 23, 25, 28 sts]
Rnd 3: *k2tog, p2tog; rpt from * to last 0 [3, 1, 0] sts, k2tog 0 [1, 0, 0] times, K 0 [1, 1, 0] [10, 12, 13, 14 sts]
Break yarn and draw through remaining 10 [12, 13, 14] sts, tightening to close.
Finishing
Weave in all ends. A gentle wash and blocking is required to help the stitches settle and lay flat. Avoid over stretching the brim – you want the Hat to stretch comfortably and be snug when worn.
eta/ this pattern was updated on 13th Jan 2023 to correct errata.