Provocateur

sideways cables flare down over a garter stitch background

This is part of the VIP Hat Collection, six extremely fun hat patterns, each with a different construction!

• fun sideways construction
• knit flat, seamed with a 3-needle bind-off
• cable without a cable needle to go faster
• shaped with short rows (german or shadow wraps are the recommended methods)
• height is determined by gauge; circumference is custom fit (measurements are given, or try it on as you go)
• entire pattern is written and charted

A cabled hat unlike all the rest, this hat turns the twisty cables on their side, and pulls them apart with garter stitch. The result is a nicely shaped hat, very friendly to a bit of slouch (more or less depending on your gauge), which is fun and a bit odd-feeling to knit up! Onlookers may not believe you when you tell them you’re making a hat.

Something I love about this pattern is that it gradually gets quicker and easier to knit as you go, so while it feels kind of slow-going at the beginning, once you hit the halfway point it starts getting much faster to the finish line!

You’ll Need

• 120-170 yards / 110-155 meters worsted or aran weight yarn
• size US 6-8 (4-5mm) needles for working flat, or size to get gauge for small, medium, or large height

Gauge, in garter stitch (blocked):

• small height: 20 sts, 33 rows per 4 inches / 10 cm
• medium height: 18 sts, 31 rows per 4 inches / 10 cm
• large height: 16 sts, 29 rows per 4 inches / 10 cm

Sizing
The three gauges, making three heights, will make for varying amounts of slouchiness.

• small height = approx 8 inches / 20 cm
• medium height = approx 8.5 inches / 21.5 cm
• large height = approx 9 inches / 23 cm

Circumference can be adjusted and custom fit to your head. The pattern gives measurements for small/medium/large circumferences for each gauge option, and also give notes on customizing your size.

Extra Notes

• The whole pattern is written and charted.
• There are technique instructions and/or links to photo/video tutorials for all techniques used (provisional cast-on, cables, short rows).
• The simple cables used are easy to work without a cable needle.