Feather Hat

I love to pay attention to the beauty of nature in the details of even its smallest elements. Feathers are a great example of subtle, natural perfection. Lighter than air but surprisingly strong, they keep the birds warm and make it possible for them to fly. As an added bonus, birds’ plumages are incredibly beautiful. This pattern comes from my desire to own a knitted plumage of my own. To create it, I observed feathers and played with lace stitches until the pattern resembled my winged friends’ assets. The hat is made of several “feathers” worked side by side. Each of them starts as a large pattern and narrows toward the top of the hat. At this point, the distinction between feathers fades away to form a flower on the back of your head. The double ribbing made from a provisional cast-on makes a neat finishing and adds some extra warmth to this openwork pattern.


Gauge
22 sts × 28 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in lace pattern in the round using larger needle (blocked)

22 sts × 28 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in rib pattern in the round using smaller needle (blocked)

Special Techniques:
Crochet Provisional Cast-On

Construction:
This hat is worked in the round from the bottom up, starting with a provisional cast-on that is undone once the ribbing is completed. The ribbing is then folded to create a double-layer brim. The body and the crown of the hat are worked in a lace pattern.

Sizes
Child (Adult S, Adult L)

Finished Measurements:
Brim circumference: 17.75 (20.25, 23) inches / 45 (51, 58.5) cm

Recommended ease: To be worn with approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) of negative ease at the brim


ABBREVIATIONS:
CO - cast on
inc - increase
k - knit
k2tog - knit two together
k3tog - knit three together
m1l - make one left
p - purl
pm - place marker
prov CO - provisional cast-on
rem - remaining
rnd(s) - round(s)
ssk - slip slip knit
sssk - slip slip slip knit
st(s) - stitch(es)
tbl - through back loop
yo - yarn over

Materials List

• YARN:
  
  DK weight, Sweet Georgia Superwash DK (100% superwash merino), 256 yds (234 m) per 115-g skein
  
   
• YARDAGE/METERAGE:
  
  149 (194, 244) yds / 136 (177, 223) m
  
   
• SHOWN IN
  
  Slate (1 skein)
  
  Any DK weight yarn can be used for this pattern. I recommend using a soft fiber that won’t be itchy.
  
   
• NEEDLES
  
  For brim: US 4 (3.5 mm), 16-inch (40-cm) circular needles or DPNs, or two sizes down from needle you make gauge with.
  
  For body and crown: US 6 (4 mm), 16-inch(40-cm) circular needles or DPNs, or size needed to obtain gauge.
  
   
• NOTIONS
  
  
  
  • 1 stitch marker
  
  
  • Tapestry needle
  
  
  • Waste yarn
  
  
  • Crochet hook