say hello to the Caterpillar Slouch - a new free pattern!

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Description

The Caterpillar Slouch is a squishy soft, slightly slouchy beret. It starts with a twisted rib brim and the body is worked in fisherman’s rib. The body is fairly long and the crown decreases evenly for a casual and cozy fit.

Availability

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Support

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Yarn
246yd/225m/100g
DK weight, plied yarn.

Needles & Notions
Set 3.75mm/UK9/US5 DPNs/Circular or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker as necessary
Tapestry needle

Sample details
Shown in Martin's Lab Comfy DK, shade 'Caterpillar' [246yd/225m per 100g; 100% Superwash merino]

Shown in size 22in/55.75cm on model with 21.75in/55.25cm circumference head

Gauge
24 sts x 32 rows to 4in/10cm on 3.75mm needles over Twisted Rib

Sizes
To fit sizes: 18 [22] in/45.75 [55.75] cm
Finished size: 16 [18.75] in/40 [46.75 ] cm
Not sure which size to make? Check my handy size and measuring guide!

Skills required
Knit & purl sts

Knitting in the round

Increases & decreases

Knitting into the row below (brioche)

Alternate Cable cast-on

Abbreviations

K: knit

P: purl

rpt: repeat

st(s): stitch(es)

K1tbl: knit stitch through the back of the loop

K1bl: knit stitch through row below

SSK: slip next 2 sts knitwise, then knit these 2 sts together through backs of the loops

Note

This Hat is easily adjusted for size. The design works on a multiple of 16, and you can cast on more or fewer stitches, depending on your gauge – as long as the number is divisible by 16.

Additional length can be added before the crown shaping for more slouch. As the fisherman's rib is a wide cosy stitch, there is no need to add additional stitches after the brim for width – the stitch pattern does this naturally.

How to

Using Alternate Cable cast-on method, cast on 96 [112] sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist sts. Place stitch marker to indicate start of round.

Brim

Now work K1tbl, P1 rib until work measures 1.25 [1.5] in/3.25 [3.75] cm.

Next Rnd: Purl all sts

Body

Rnd 1: Knit all sts

Rnd 2: *K1bl, P1; rpt from * to end

These 2 rounds form the fisherman's rib pattern.

Work in pattern until body measures 3.5 [4.5] in/9 [11.5] cm, excluding the brim, ending after a Rnd 1.

Crown

18in size jump to Rnd 5, 22in size start at Rnd 1.

Rnd 1: *ssk, [K1bl, P1] 6 times; rpt from * to end [104 sts]

Rnd 2 & all even rounds: Knit all sts

Rnd 3:*ssk, P1, [K1bl, P1] 5 times; rpt from * to end [96 sts]

Rnd 5:*ssk, [K1bl, P1] 5 times; rpt from * to end [88 sts]

Rnd 7: *ssk, P1, [K1bl, P1] 4 times; rpt from * to end [80 sts]

Rnd 9: *ssk, [K1bl, P1] 4 times; rpt from * to end [72 sts]

Rnd 11: *ssk, P1, [K1bl, P1] 3 times; rpt from * to end [64 sts]

Rnd 13: *ssk, [K1bl, P1] 3 times; rpt from * to end [56 sts]

Rnd 15: *ssk, P1, [K1bl, P1] 2 times; rpt from * to end [48 sts]

Rnd 17: *ssk, [K1bl, P1] 2 times; rpt from * to end [40 sts]

Rnd 19: *ssk, P1, K1bl, P1; rpt from * to end [32 sts]

Rnd 21: *ssk, K1bl, P1; rpt from * to end [24 sts]

Rnd 23: *ssk, P1; rpt from * to end [16 sts]

Rnd 24: *ssk; rpt from * to end [8 sts]

Break yarn and draw through remaining 8 sts, tighten to close.

Finishing

Weave in all ends. Blocking isn't necessary but is recommended to help the crown shaping settle - block gently to avoid stretching the Hat.

Enjoy!

Earlier in the year I mentioned some yarn that was sent my way from a new indie dyer. Well, during our travels over the summer I was able to (gently) knit a new Hat for Aran with the brightest of the yarns; a cosy comfy Hat that he could grow into.

A fisherman's rib Hat is the perfect Hat for a lively yarn like Marcin's Caterpillar, and it'll make for perfect TV or travel knitting. One skein is all you need for any of the sizes, and there's enough left in the skein to add a bit of extra length, should you prefer.

Fisherman's rib is very room and yardage thirsty, hence it'll make a very stretchy Hat - this one is a little big for Aran I think, and it fits me, so there's plenty of room for him to grow into it! And as Fisherman's rib naturally adds width, there's no need to add extra stitches to encourage the slouch - it does it all by itself.

I really enjoyed working with the Comfy DK from Martin's Lab - it has a generous yardage and is soft and pliable. I'm slowly hatching plans for the other skeins in my stash... I'm thinking something more for Aran and Ivy-Mae, given that the bright colours and superwash yarn hint towards kids Hats.

Don't forget though that even thought I design kids Hats and model them on kids, they nearly always go up to adult sizes! Aran will be 9 in March, and he has a 21.75in circumference head - that same size as the average adult female - so if it fits him, it'll likely fit you, too.