Knitty: Fall 2007

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by SAS Knits It Again It's not what it seems.This hat that looks quite angelic folded up, but once pulled down not only turns into warm and comfortable snow protection, but also doubles as a pretty mean hideaway. It's a great hat for skiers and snowboarders, adjustable to all kinds of winter weather. And it makes for a rather original Halloween accessory. The design is mostly inspired by the character Jack Skellington from the animated movie 'The Nightmare before Christmas’ by director Tim Burton.
model & photos: Saskia de Feijter


SIZE
Stretches to comfortably fit up to 22 inches

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Length: 19 inches Neck/Brim Circumference: 22 inches Face/Head Circumference: 16.75 inches

MATERIALS
Lana Grossa Bingo [100% Merino wool; 88yd/80m per 50g ball]; color: #5 Cream; 4 balls Small amount of black yarn, used for embroidery only. 1 set of 5 US #8/5mm double-point needles 1 16-inch US #8/5mm circular needle (optional) Stitch markers Stitch holder Tapestry needle (for weaving in ends) Pins Sharp needle with large eye (for working embroidery)

GAUGE
18 sts/29 rows = 4 inches in stockinette st

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here]
2x2 Rib (Worked in the round over a multiple of 4 sts): Round 1: [K2, p2] to end. Repeat this round for 2x2 Rib. Ssp: Slip next 2 sts knitwise, one at a time, to right needle. Slip them both, purlwise, back to left needle. Purl them together through their back loops. Split Stitch: Instructions for Split Stitch embroidery can be found here.

DIRECTIONS
NECK/BRIM Using circular or double-point needles, CO 100 sts. If using double-point needles, divide sts evenly between needles. Place marker and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist Work 8 rounds in garter st. Work 3 inches in stockinette st. Work 4 inches in 2x2 Rib. Work measures 8 inches. FACE/HEAD Next Round: [K2, k2tog] to last 4 sts, k4. 76 sts. Work 4 inches in stockinette st. Work measures 12 inches. Shape Eyeholes: Next Round: BO 2 sts, k11 (12 sts on right needle after bound-off sts) and place these sts on st holder; BO 2 sts, k to end. 60 sts. Row 1 [WS]: P2tog, p to last 2 sts, ssp. Row 2 [RS]: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. Row 3 [WS]: P all sts. Row 4 [RS]: Work as for Row 2. 56 sts. Rows 5-6: Work in stockinette st. Row 7 [WS]: P1, m1, p to last st, m1, p1. Row 8 [RS]: K all sts. Row 9 [WS]: Work as for Row 7. Row 10 [RS]: K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. 62 sts. Break yarn. If you are using double-point needles, divide these sts between 3 needles so that you have 2 free needles. If using circular needle, leave sts on needle. Place held sts on a double-point needle and rejoin yarn with WS facing. Work Rows 1-9 as above. At the end of Row 4, there will be 6 sts. Row 10 [RS]: K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1, CO 2 sts, k the 61 sts on the circular needle or other double-point needles, CO 2 sts; join to resume working in the round, k6. 76 sts. This point will now be beginning of round. If using double-point needles, place 19 sts on each needle. Work 3 inches in stockinette st. CROWN If using circular needle, switch to double-point needles, placing 19 sts on each needle. Decrease Round: [K2tog, k to last 2 sts on needle, k2tog] 4 times. 8 sts decreased. K 1 round. Repeat these 2 rounds 3 times more. 44 sts. Work Decrease Round 5 times. Break yarn, draw through remaining 4 sts and pull tight.

FINISHING
Weave in ends. Put on balaclava and use pins to mark location of mouth. Work horizontal line of mouth using Split Stitch. Using this stitch will constrict the fabric slightly, preventing it from stretching when worn and defining the mouth more clearly. Using photo as guide, embroider lines for teeth and nostrils. To wear as a hat, fold the brim up so that the lower edge is level with the top of the crown, then fold the lower half of the brim back down so that the lower edge is slightly below the first fold.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Saskia started a knitting circle at the ripe old age of 10, knitting underwear for her teddy bear, and lots of pillows. When puberty hit boys seemed much more important. But after a few years of Art School, after finding her true prince, finding herself in a not-so-creative-job she started to crave the sound of ticking needles and then let out the creative tigress inside her once again. The last 5 years, Saskia has been an obsessed knitter and blogger. She and her man are now expecting their first child* and Saskia can’t wait to teach the sprout some ass-kicking knit skills to pass the magic on! *Editor's note: Any second now!
Pattern & images © 2007 Saskia de Feijter. Contact Saskia