Many of you dear readers have probably noticed that I haven't been making posts in a nice timely manner as of late.  I feel I should explain, albeit briefly.  My household is going through a rough patch and my I spend my extra time vegging in front of my TV and knitting.  Designing has become one of my true distractions and has helped keep me sane as of late.  I don't expect to see the light at the end of the tunnel until a year from now, if then. 

Since I am still designing, you will still see me shamelessly hocking my patterns every now and then.  I never planned this blog to be all about that but for now that's just where I'm at.  There may be days when my attitude will permit me to have a little fun so keep your fingers crossed for that time.  I'm an optimist at heart so maybe this is just a short funk and I'll be back to my old self in no time at all.

~Many thanks to all of you for spending your valuable time checking my bloggy out!~

I remember looking through a mail order catalog and being inspired by a nylon bucket hat with a quilted grid turned to a 45 degree angle.  My brain translated that to read as Entrelac and I decided immediately to make up a knitted version.

Throughout the trial and error process, I used different textures of yarn.  The result was 2 slightly different versions, one that has enough body to keep the crown shape a bit flat and another version that has a drapeier, softer shape.  For a firmer shape, I’ve concluded that the first important thing to consider if substituting another yarn is that it should be a firm worsted weight which is somewhat rustic in texture, knit at a tighter gauge & smaller needle size than the manufacturer would suggest.  The hat could be lined to help keep its shape better if using a softer yarn.

 

 

There are no seams in making up this hat.  Every part is worked in the round.  A circular needle is used except for the decreasing part of the crown.  This hat was a relatively quick knit due to its gauge.  It will work up even faster if you know how to knit backwards (meaning not having to turn the work in progress and always having the right side facing).

 

 

Working Entrelac in the round is similar to working it flat as there will be knit and purl rows to make the stockinette rectangles.  One round of rectangles will begin with the RS facing and the next round will begin on a WS row.  The brim and crown are both worked in garter stitch.

 

 

This version of the hat done in 100% cotton fit looser on the head than the wool version and would make this a great spring/summer hat.  The idea of trying to shrink the hat a bit in the washer and dryer has been tossed around but hasn't been tried yet.  I could be a possibility some of you may choose.

 

Materials for Version One (wool):

  -Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed Homespun (100% wool, 100gms/180 yds)  color: Olive #803

  -US #6 (4.0 mm) needles (16" circular & 4 dpns)

 

Materials for Version Two (cotton):

  -Knit One Crochet Two Ty-Dy (100% cotton, 100gms/196 yds)  color: Hibiscus #265

  -US #5 (3.75 mm) needles (16" circular & 4 dpns)

 

Finished size of hat:

 

Version 1: 4 inches high by 24 inches circumference (right at where brim joins at base) & 18 inches circ. (where crown joins at top)

 

Version 2: 4 inches high by 25 inches circumference (right at where brim joins at base) & 18 inches circ. (where crown joins at top)

 

 

Skill Level:

 

This file is available for purchase in PDF format.  Click on the button below and follow the instructions to receive your copy of the pattern.

 

$4.00

 

Or purchase in my Ravelry store here.