Knitted Nuthatch Hat

The Knitted Nuthatch Hat is a charming and cozy accessory that adds a touch of whimsy to any outfit. With its adorable nuthatch bird design and soft, warm material, this hat is sure to bring a smile to your face on even the chilliest of days. Whether you're out for a stroll or simply running errands, this hat will keep you looking stylish and feeling snug. Embrace the playful spirit of nature with the Knitted Nuthatch Hat and let your personality shine through this delightful accessory!

SIZE

Adult Small[Adult Medium, Adult Large]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

• Circumference: 17.75[19.75, 22.5] inches/ 45[50, 57] cm
• Stretches to approximately 21.5[23.5, 26.25] inches/ 54[59.5, 67] cm
• Length: 7.75[8.5, 9] inches/ 19.5[21.5, 23] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn

• Fibra Natura Kingston Tweed [50% wool, 25% alpaca, 25% mixed fiber; 194 yds per 50]
• [MC] 105 Ochre – 1 skein (all sizes) or 145[165, 188] yards / 133[151, 172] m
• [CC] 108 Amethyst – 1 skein or 70[77, 85] yards / 64[71, 78] m

Recommended needle size

• [always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
• US #4/3.5mm 16 inch/40cm circular
•  US #6/4mm 16 inch/40cm circular needle and your preferred needles for knitting small circumferences in the round

Notions

•  Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• Cable needle

GAUGE

• 27 sts/30 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in (k2, p2) rib with smaller needle
• 26 sts/30 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in Stockinette stitch with larger needle
• 35 sts/39 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in Basketweave Cables pattern with larger needles

PATTERN NOTES

This hat is intended to be worn with negative ease. To determine your size, measure the circumference of your head at the widest point, from the most prominent part of the forehead (approx 1.5 inches/3.75 cm above the eyebrow) around to the widest part of the back of the head. Select a size with 1-3 inches/2.5-8 cm of negative ease.

Techniques:

2/2 LC: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front; k2, then k2 from cable needle.

2/2 RC: Slip next 2 sts to cn and hold in back; k2, then k2 from cable needle.

Right Twist (RT): K2tog but do not slip st from needle, knit the first st again, slip both sts from needle.

Left Twist (LT): Knit the second st on the left needle through the back loop leaving it on the needle, knit the first st through the front loop, slip both sts from needle.

CHARTS

Hat Panel – Panel of 19 sts

Rnd 1: P3, 2/2 LC, k2, p1, k2, 2/2 RC, p3.

Rnds 2 & 4: P3, [k6, p1] 2 times, p2.

Rnd 3: P3, k2, 2/2 LC, p1, 2/2 RC, k2, p3.

Basketweave Cables – Multiple of 4 sts, plus 2.

Rnd 1: K2, *2/2 LC; rep from * to end.

Rnds 2 & 4: Knit.

Rnd 3: *2/2 RC; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Hat Panel Decreases – Begins as panel of 19 sts.

Rnd 1: P3, 2/2 LC, k2, p1, k2, 2/2 RC, p3.

Rnd 2: P3, ssk, k4, p1, k4, k2tog, p3. 17 sts rem.

Rnd 3: P3, k1, 2/2 LC, p1, 2/2 RC, k1, p3.

Rnd 4: P3, ssk, k3, p1, k3, k2tog, p3. 15 sts rem.

Rnd 5: P3, 2/2 LC, p1, 2/2 RC, p3.

Rnd 6: P3, ssk, k2, p1, k2, k2tog, p3. 13 sts rem.

Rnd 7: P3, k1 LT, p1, RT, k1, p3.

Rnd 8: P3, ssk, k1, p1, k1, k2tog, p3. 11 sts rem.

Rnd 9: P3, k2, p1, k2, p3.

Rnd 10: P3, ssk, p1, k2tog, p3. 9 sts rem.

Rnd 11: P3, k1, p1, k1, p3.

Rnd 12: P3, p3tog, p3. 7 sts rem.

Rnd 13: Purl.

Rnd 14: P2, p3tog, p2. 5 sts rem.

Rnd 15: Purl.

Rnd 16: P1, p3tog, p1. 3 sts rem.

Rnd 17: P3tog. 1 st rem.

Directions:

HAT Brim

With smaller needle and CC, CO 120[132, 152] sts. Place marker and join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist.

Ribbing rnd: [K2, p2] around.

Work ribbing as set until piece measures 1.5[1.75, 2] inches/ 4[4.5, 5] cm from cast-on edge.

Inc Rnd: K1, [m1, k3] 14[16, 14] times, [m1, k4] 9[9, 17] times, [m1, k3] 13[15, 13] times, m1, k2 – 37[41, 45] sts increased. 157[173, 197] sts.

Next Rnd: P19, pm, purl to end. Change to MC.

Next Rnd: Knit.

Next Rnd: Purl.

Change to larger needle.

Cable Section

Set-up Rnd: P3, k6, p1, k6, p3, pm, knit to end.

Pattern rnd: Work Hat Panel to m, sl m, work Basketweave Cables to end.

Work until piece measures 4[4.25, 4.5] inches/ 10[11, 11.5] cm from cast-on edge, ending with Rnd 1 or 3 of Basketweave Cables patt.

Adult Small Size Only:

Dec Rnd: Work next rnd of Hat Panel to m, sl m, k1, [k2tog, k1] 17 times, [k2tog, k2] 9 times, [k2tog, k1] 16 times, k2tog – 43 sts decreased. 114 sts rem.

Adult Medium Size Only:

Dec Rnd: Work next rnd of Hat Panel to m, sl m, k1, [k2tog, k2] 17 times, [k2tog, k1] 5 times, [k2tog, k2] 17 times, k2tog – 40 sts decreased. 133 sts rem.

Adult Large Size Only:

Dec Rnd: Work next rnd of Hat Panel to m, sl m, k1, k2tog, k1, [k2tog, k2] 43 times, k2tog – 45 sts decreased. 152 sts rem.

All Sizes:

Next Rnd: Purl.

Stockinette Section

Rnd 1: Work next rnd of Hat Panel to m, knit to end.

Cont as established until piece measures 5.5[6, 6.5] inches/ 14[15, 16.5] cm from cast-on edge, ending with Rnd 3 of Hat Panel.

Shape Crown

Note: As circumference gets too small for circular needle, change to your preferred method for small circumference knitting.

Set-up Rnd: Work Hat Panel chart Rnd 4 to m, sl m, [k19, pm] 4[5, 6] times, purl to end.

Rnd 1: Work Hat Panel Decreases to m, k to end of rnd.

Rnd 2: Work Hat Panel Decreases to m, [k2, ssk, k to 4 sts before marker, k2tog, k2] to end. 12[14, 18] sts decreased.

Repeat Rnds 1-2, decreasing in both chart and stockinette sections every other round, on even-numbered chart rounds, until you have completed Rnd 13 of the chart. 42[29, 56] sts.

Next rnd: Work Hat Panel Decreases chart Rnd 14 to m, [k2, S2KPO, k2] 5[6, 7] times. You can remove all markers but for the start of round marker on this round. 30[35, 40] sts.

Next rnd: Work Hat Panel Decreases chart Rnd 15 to m, k to end of rnd.

Next rnd: Work Hat Panel Decreases chart Rnd 16 to m, [k1, S2KPO, k1] 5[6, 7] times. 18[21, 24] sts

Next rnd: Work Hat Panel Decreases chart Rnd 17 to m, S2KPO 5[6, 7] times. 6[7, 8] sts.

Cut yarn leaving approx. 8 inch/20 cm tail. Pull through remaining live sts and pull taut to close.

FINISHING

Soak finished hat in cool water with a bit of soap, if desired. Remove from water, place on a towel, and roll the towel up to absorb the excess water. Unroll towel and place hat on a flat surface, patting it into shape. Let dry. Weave in ends.