Mineralogy Hat
Skill Level: Rookie-Apprentice-Virtuoso-Genius
Skills: knit, purl, P2tog, simple chart reading
Sizes: child-women-men (fits approx. head size 21″-22.5″-24″); shown in size med
Finished Measurements: approx. 6.5″ tall and 8.5-9.5-10.5″ wide lying flat not including pom pom
Gauge: approx.16 sts and 28 rows = 4″ on 6 mm in patt (same gauge as given on Sulka and Eco+/Ecological ball bands)
Yarn: 100 g (3.5 oz.), 110 yds (100 m) bulky (12 ply) weight wool
Suggested Brand: 2 skeins Sulka by Mirasol shown in #200 Ecru; or less than 1 skein Cascade Eco+ or Ecological wool
Needles: 5 mm 40 cm (US 8 16″) circular, 6 mm 40 cm (US 10 16″) circular, 6 mm dpns
Other Materials: tapestry needle or teeny crochet hook
Beginning at the bottom, with smaller needles and long-tail method, CO 60-70-80 sts (or multiple of 10). Join in the rnd being careful not to twist sts. Pm for beg of rnd.
Begin Seed Stitch as follows:
Rnd 1: K1, P1 to end.
Rnd 2: P1, K1 to end.
Rep these two rnds once more.
Rep Rnd 1 once more. Five rnds total.
Brim should measure approx. 1″ from CO.
Change to larger needles.
Begin chart (below). Work chart for two full reps. Hat should measure approx. 5″ from CO. Work in seed st until it does or until hat reaches desired depth.
Decs:
Change to dpns when sts become too tight on circs.
Rnd 1: *K1, P1, K1, P2tog*, rep from * to * to end.
Rnd 2: P1, K1 to end.
Rnd 3: *K1, P1, P2tog*, rep from * to * to end.
Rnd 4: P1, K1 to end.
Rnd 5: K1, P2tog to end.
Rnd 6: P1, K1 to end.
Rnd 7: P2tog to end.
Rnd 8: K1, P1 to end.
Rnd 9-10: Rep Rnds 6-7.
Cut yarn and tie off. Weave in ends. Add pom pom.
Inquiring knitter-geologist wants to know –
why "Mineralogy"?????
Hm, I can't always justify my pattern names. I suppose I was thinking diamonds (from the pattern), rocks, minerals, etc.
Thanks! I just wanted to know if there was a connection I should have gotten and missed!
It actually made me think of the hand-specimen mineralogy class I had at Columbia in the 60s. We had to learn the different crystal faces and be able to say what was present on a particular specimen. Cool hat!
I've learned recently that what we learned, back in the day, is now considered "classical geology". Talk about instant aging!!! I feel as old as Wiwaxia.
I love this pattern, but I'm also looking for functionality…does the hat cover the ears?
For the most part…but you can make it as deep as you like. There are instructions there to lengthen it (5.5-6" before doing decs).
Hi, I just finished knitting this hat.. did great until the last 4 rows where I changed over to the double points.. then it/I messed up.. do you any helpful hints to do this the right way? I'm going to give it another try 🙂 Thank you.
Hi Deb,
No hints really…I generally just start knitting onto the dpns from the circular and let the right circ. needle just hang to the back. I also try to end each dpn with a k2tog to save shifting sts later on. Hope that helps a little bit! Mostly it's just practice.
Hi!
I knitted this hat last week and it went really well. It was my first time knitting in the round and my first time making a hat. The pattern is simple and beautiful. Thank you 🙂
I've never used a knitting chart and am trying to figure out how to use the knitting chart. I'm working on circular needles. Do I repeat the bottom line of the chart all the way to the end of a knitting round? Or ??? Any help will be greatly appreciated!!
Hi there,
Knitting charts (should) all be read the same way: from right to left and bottom to top. The stitches are charted horizontally and the rows are vertical. You should repeat the number of stitches in the row until you get to the end, then begin the next row of the chart.
Hello,
I really like those diamondy shapes and I was thinking of making a bag with them instead of a hat…hats don't suit me… I've never used circular needles so I don't know how they are different from straight ones, do I just reverse the purling and knitting on alternate rows of the chart?
Yep, that's exactly what you would do!