MS Slouchy - a new free pattern

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Description

MS Slouch is a slouchy Hat with a ribbed brim and moss (seed) stitch body and crown. The crown is gently gathered.

Availability

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Support

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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

Alternate Cable Cast-on

Increases & Decreases

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.