Colorful Crafting with Jen: The Sweetie Pie Hat

When I first designed the Sweetie Pie Hat four years ago, I had plenty of time on my hands to create patterns. With no one tugging at my sleeve while I knit, I had deep reserves of concentration and loads of patience.  But now that I have a one and half year old, updating an old beloved pattern with new yarn and simpler instructions is about all I can handle!!    

The original Sweetie Pie Hat was striped, because back then, I had no reason to mind switching colors every eight rows (not to mention weaving in all those ends!). I still love that hat and will continue to wear it, but after knitting the Forever Baby Blanket for a friend, the For Better or Worsted from Anzula was calling my name. I decided it was just the right  yarn for a fresh take on an old favorite!  

With its crisp and clean stitch definition, For Better or Worsted is the perfect choice for interesting stitch patterns, and it just couldn't be nicer to work with! Super duper soft and sumptuous, this merino, cashmere and nylon blend is also machine washable. The new Sweetie Pie Hat takes only one skein of For Better or Worsted and will knit up in no time at all, even with a toddler on your lap! Happy Holidays! -Jen

Materials

• 1 skein of Anzula's For Better or Worsted (80% superwash merino wool, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 200 yards). I used the color Mauve.
• A US #7, 16 inch circular needle
• A set of US #7 double pointed needles

Pattern

Gauge

5 1/2 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch

Finished Size 

19 (22) inches in circumference, to fit most adult women (men).

Pattern Notes

How to make a baby cable: Knit 2 together, leaving stitches on the left needle. Insert right needle between these two stitches and knit the first stitch again, slipping both stitches off the left needle (without knitting the second stitch).

Begin

Cast on 96 (108) stitches.

Ribbed Edge 

Rounds 1-3: *[K1, p1] 4 times, k2 p2 repeat from * to end of round

Round 4 (Cable Round): *[K1, p1] 4 times, make baby cable (see Pattern Notes above), p2, repeat from * to end of round. 

Repeat Rounds 1-4 two more times.

Hat 

Rounds 1-3: *K10, p2, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 4 (Cable Round): *K8, make a baby cable, p2, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Rounds 1-4 until hat measures 5 1/4 (6) inches from cast on edge.

Crown 

Round 1 (Decrease Round): *K2tog, k8, p2* repeat from * to end of round. 88 (99) stitches

Round 2: *K9, p2* repeat from * to end of round.

Round 3 (Decrease Round): *K2tog, k7, p2* repeat from * to end of round. 80 (90) stitches

Round 4 (Cable Round): *K6, make a baby cable, p2 repeat from * to end of round. 
 

Round 5 (Decrease Round): *K2tog, k6, p2 repeat from * to end of round. 72 (81) stitches

Round 6: *k7, p2, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 7 (Decrease Round): *K2tog, k5, p2 repeat from * to end of round. 64 (72) stitches

Round 8 (Cable Round): *K4, make a baby cable, p2 repeat from * to end of round. 

Round 9 (Decrease Round): *K2tog, k4, p2 repeat from * to end of round. 56 (63) stitches

Round 10: *K5, p2 repeat from * to end of round.

Round 11 (Decrease Round): *K2tog, k3, p2, repeat from * to end of round. 48 (54) stitches

Round 12 (Cable Round): *K2, make a baby cable, p2 repeat from * to end of round. 

Round 13 (Decrease Round): *K2tog, k4, repeat from * to end of round. 40 (45) stiches

Round 14: *K3, p2, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 15 (Decrease Round): *K2tog, k1, p2, repeat from * to end of round. 32 (36) stitches

Round 16 (Cable Round): *Make a baby cable, p2 repeat from * to end of round. 

Round 17 (Decrease Round): *K2tog, p2 repeat from * to end of round. 24 (27) stitches

Round 18: *K1, p2, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 19 (Decrease Round): *K1, p2tog, repeat from * to end of round. 16 (18) stitches

Round 20 (Decrease Round): *K2tog repeat from * to end of round. 8 (9) stitches

Round 21 (Decrease Round: *K2tog repeat from * to end of round. For larger size, end with a k1. 4 (5) stitches

Using a tapestry needle, thread the end through the remaining stitches and pull tight. Bring the tail to the inside of the hat and weave in loose ends.