The Whispers of the Glen Slouchy Hat: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Color-Blocked Design

The Whispers of the Glen Slouchy Hat: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Color-Blocked Design

This slouchy hat features a unique combination of slipped stitches and color blocking, creating a fabric that looks like woven heather. The deep, slouchy crown and folded brim make it a cozy and stylish accessory for any season. Perfect for adventurous beginners and intermediate knitters, this pattern uses simple slipped stitches to create a sophisticated woven texture that is surprisingly easy to achieve.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in two colors:
  • Color A (Main Color): 120 yards. Sample uses Malabrigo Rios in 'Piedras' (charcoal grey).
  • Color B (Contrast Color): 80 yards. Sample uses Malabrigo Rios in 'Dusty' (soft dusty rose).
• Needles: US 8 (5.0 mm) 16-inch circular needle and a set of double-pointed needles (or size needed to obtain gauge).
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors.
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch, blocked. Take time to check your gauge for best fit.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on
• K: knit
• P: purl
• sl: slip stitch purlwise with yarn in back (wyib)
• k2tog: knit two together
• p2tog: purl two together
• pm: place marker
• sm: slip marker

Brim

With Color A, CO 96 stitches. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.

Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 2 inches. Tip: Keep your ribbing tension consistent for a neat, stretchy brim.

Body

Note: When slipping stitches, always slip them purlwise with yarn in back (wyib). This creates the woven texture.

• Round 1: With Color A, knit all stitches.
• Round 2: With Color A, purl all stitches.
• Round 3: With Color B, *K1, sl1 wyib; repeat from * to end.
• Round 4: With Color B, *P1, sl1 wyib; repeat from * to end.
• Round 5: With Color A, knit all stitches.
• Round 6: With Color A, purl all stitches.
• Round 7: With Color B, *sl1 wyib, K1; repeat from * to end.
• Round 8: With Color B, *sl1 wyib, P1; repeat from * to end.

Repeat Rounds 1-8 until piece measures 8 inches from cast-on edge, ending after a Round 8. This creates the slouchy body of the hat.

Crown Decreases

Switch to Color A only for the remainder of the hat. You will now work exclusively with Color A. If needed, switch to double-pointed needles when stitches become too tight for the circular needle.

• Round 1: *K10, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (88 stitches)
• Round 2: Knit all stitches.
• Round 3: *K9, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (80 stitches)
• Round 4: Knit all stitches.
• Round 5: *K8, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (72 stitches)
• Round 6: Knit all stitches.
• Round 7: *K7, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (64 stitches)
• Round 8: Knit all stitches.
• Round 9: *K6, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (56 stitches)
• Round 10: Knit all stitches.
• Round 11: *K5, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (48 stitches)
• Round 12: Knit all stitches.
• Round 13: *K4, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (40 stitches)
• Round 14: Knit all stitches.
• Round 15: *K3, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (32 stitches)
• Round 16: Knit all stitches.
• Round 17: *K2, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (24 stitches)
• Round 18: Knit all stitches.
• Round 19: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (16 stitches)
• Round 20: Knit all stitches.
• Round 21: *k2tog; repeat from * to end. (8 stitches)

Cut yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail. Thread tail through remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure. Weave in all ends.

Finishing

Fold brim up. Block hat gently to shape. Blocking helps even out the slipped stitch texture and gives the hat a professional finish. Simply wet the hat, gently squeeze out excess water, and lay flat to dry, shaping as desired.