Desert Dreams Beanie

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: 14 (17, 19)” brim circumference (unstretched) to fit up to 18 (21, 23)” head circumference

4” negative ease recommended.

Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st

Materials

Yarn:

 Blacker Yarns Tamar DK (30% Wool, 18% Wensleydale, 18% Teeswater, 17% Cotswold, 17% Leicester Longwool); 240 yards [220 meters]/50 grams): Lerryn, 1 skein

Needles: US size 6 (4.0mm): DPNS and/or circular needles up to 24” long; US size 4 (3.5 mm) DPNS and/or circular needles up to 24” long

Notions: Tapestry needle; removable markers; (optional) crochet hook if using Emily Ocker’s Circular Cast-On method.

Special Stitches

1×1 Rib

Rnd 1: *K1, p1; rep from * around.

Rep Rnd 1 for patt.

Emily Ocker’s Circular Cast-On Method

Make a loose loop of yarn around your left thumb.

Insert crochet hook through loop from front to back, catch working end of yarn and pull through loop.

Catch working yarn again and pull through loop just made (as if to crochet 1 chain). This is your first st. Leave st on crochet hook.

Rep Steps 2-3 until you have cast-on required number of sts.

Transfer sts from hook to needles. After a few rnds, pull the yarn tail tight to close hole.

Pattern Notes

This hat is worked from the top down. Increases are worked into the pattern. You can either cast on in your normal preferred way or try Emily Ocker’s Circular Cast-On Method to avoid having a hole at the center of your hat.

Pattern

With larger DPNs, CO 6 sts, pm and join to work in the rnd, dividing sts evenly between DPNs.

Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: *Kfb; rep from * to end – 12 sts.
Rnd 3: *Kfb, k1; rep from * to end – 18 sts.
Rnd 4: *Yo, pm, ssk, yo, k1; rep from * to end – 24 sts.
Rnd 5: Knit.
Rnd 6: K to m, *yo, sm, ssk, yo, k to m; rep from * to end of rnd – 30 sts

Rep last 2 rnds 9 (11, 13) more times total sts, changing to circular needles if preferred when necessary. This is the end of the crown shaping – 84 (96, 108) sts.

Next Rnd: *K4 (5, 6), ssk, k to m, yo, sm, ssk, yo, k1; rep from * to end of rnd.

Next Rnd: Knit.

Rep last 2 rnds until Hat meas 6 (7, 8)” from end of crown shaping.

Dec Rnd: *K4 (5, 6), ssk, k to m, sm, ssk, k1; rep from * to end of rnd – 72 (84, 96) sts.

Change to smaller needles.

Knit 1 rnd.

Work in 1×1 Rib for 1½”.

BO fairly loosely in rib patt.

Finishing

Weave in ends and block very gently, making sure the fabric does not stretch too much. You may prefer to spray with a fine mist of water and then pin to size rather than wet-blocking.