Aran's Slouch

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Description

Aran's Slouch is a simple slouchy beanie with a ribbed brim and a stocking stitch body. It has a softly gathered crown and is finished with an optional pompom.

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

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Yarn
131yd/120m/100g
Aran weight, single ply yarn.

Needles & Notions
Set 4.5mm/UK7/US7 DPNs/Circular or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker as necessary
Tapestry needle

Sample details
Shown in Cowgirlblues Aran Single [131yd/120m per 100g; 80% Wool, 20% Kid Mohair]

Shown in size 23in/58.5cm on model with 21.75in/55.25cm 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
Stocking Stitch

Knitting in the round

Alternate Cable cast-on

Increases & decreases

Abbreviations

K: knit

P: purl

rpt: repeat

st(s): stitches

K1tbl: knit stitch through the back of the loop

k2tog: knit next 2sts together

How to
Using Alternate Cable cast-on method, 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, P1; rpt from * to end
Repeat this round until work measures 1 [1.25, 1.5, 1.75] in/ 2.5 [3.25, 3.75, 4.5] cm (or desired length)

Next Rnd: Purl all sts

Body
Next Rnd: Knit all sts

Repeat this round until work measures approx. 6 [7, 8, 9] in/15.25 [17.75, 20.25, 22.75] cm (or desired length) from cast-on edge.

Crown
Rnd 1: *k2tog; rpt from * to end [32, 36, 40, 44 sts]
Rnd 2: *k2tog; rpt from * to end [16, 18, 20, 22 sts]
Rnd 3: *k2tog; rpt from * to end [8, 9, 10, 11 sts]

Break yarn and draw through remaining 8 [9, 10, 11] sts, tighten to close.

Pompom
Cut 2 circular pieces measuring 2.5in/6.25cm diameter from thin cardboard. The inner circle should be approximately 1.25in/3.25cm. Placing the two pieces of card together, wrap the yarn through the centre and around the outer circle, continuing in this manner until all the card is covered.

Continue wrapping the yarn until either the centre hole has closed or all the yarn has been used.

Carefully cut the yarn along the edge of the circle to reveal the covered card. Cut all of the yarn, then tie a knot between the two layers off card, effectively tying all the pieces of yarn together, before removing the card. Trim pompom before attaching securely to the Hat.

Finishing
Weave in all ends. A gentle wash and blocking is required to help the stitches settle and lay flat. Try to avoid over stretching the brim – you want the Hat to stretch comfortably and be snug when worn. Attach pompom after blocking.

Don’t forget - if you need any help, leave a comment below.

This boy of ours is 11 years old today - happy birthday Aran! To celebrate, I've published this pattern!

5 years ago Aran was living with chronic kidney disease having gone into renal failure a couple of months earlier on new year’s eve. Bronchial pneumonia hit boxing day 2013, which was preceded by impetigo. A post- strep complication led to acute PSGN (poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis) which was then further complicated by HSP (Henoch-Schonlein purpura). He was off school for months (the risk of infection was too great) and it would be at least another 18mths before he went into remission.

Kidney disease can recur and stay for life (it's not something you're ever entirely clear of), with a possibility of end stage kidney disease, so he continues to have his annual checks. We are mighty chuffed that he continues to be in good health and clear of kidney disease for the last 3.5yrs. Acute PSGN and HSP mostly affect children and the year that Aran had acute PSGN 19,000 people died worldwide from the disease... we were the lucky ones.

It's only really now that I can see just how hard this hit all of us. We were also facing eviction and we somehow all had to get through it and keep buoyant for Aran's sake. We got through it. Yet only a year after going into remission and winning the eviction case Brexit went & threw us back into uncertainty again... this week we should finally see some stability again.

Go and enjoy this pattern on us, wish our boy a happy 11th birthday and keep everything crossed for a successful residency application?