Chowder Hat

This pattern is also available as a free PDF download on Ravelry.

MATERIALS:

● (250) 350 yds of worsted weight yarn (I used Red Heart Super Saver, in 'Dark Orchid.')

● size 8 (5mm) dpns (or any size you need to obtain gauge)

GAUGE: 15 stitches, 22 rows = 4 inches (in stockinette stitch)

SIZES: (Small) Large

TO BEGIN: Cast on (84) 92 stitches, place marker, join in round.Rolled Brim: Knit 8 rounds.Work the next 3 rounds in K1, P1 rib. (I used a smaller needle size for the rib.)

NEXT ROW: Increase (6) 8 stitches evenly around. You'll have (90) 100 stitches.Now knit until piece measures about (3") 3" from ribbed section.

Next, increase 4 stitches evenly, every other row, (3) 5 times. You'll have (102) 120 stitchesnow.

Knit one round, then put the next (51) 60 stitches on a stitch holder or scrap piece of yarn.You'll be working on one half of the hat at a time, creating the funky points.Funky Points: Join the (51) 60 stitches, placing a marker at the join.Knit (1) 3 rounds even.

ROW 1: K2tog, K5, K2tog, Knit to 9 stitches before marker, SSK, K5, SSK. (I started thesecond and third decreases at (3) 5 stitches from the 'edges', but then moved them in a bit asthe point became pointier. Use your best judgement.)

ROW 2: Knit

Repeat these two rows until the funky point is pointy enough to suit you. I stopped when I had9 stitches left, then I had just enough stitches for three 3-stitch i-cords. If you'd rather have 4-stitch i-cords, stop at 12 stitches.With remaining stitches, knit 3 i-cords.Place the second half of your hat back on the needles, joining and knitting just as the first funkypoint.

Now you could just stop right there, BUT -- I took it a step further...I found the hat just a bit too floppy, so I decided to put a small amount of polyester stuffinginside each 'point.' Then I knitted a second, beanie-type hat and sewed it inside to keep thestuffing from falling out. I attached this lining just above the ribbing on my hat. I don't have apattern for the lining, I just started knitting with the original hat pattern, starting after the ribbingsection, and checked it often against my original hat as I was knitting. When I felt it was time todecrease, I used this pattern:

Hat Lining Decreases:

ROW 1: [K3, K2tog] repeat to end.

ROW 2: Knit

ROW 3: [K2, K2tog] repeat to end.

ROW 4: Knit

ROW 5: [K1, K2tog] repeat to end.

ROW 6: Knit

ROW 7: [K2tog] repeat to end.

Repeat Row 7 until there are less than 10 stitches left, pull yarn through these stitches andfasten off.

I suppose if you didn't want to bother with knitting the lining, you could sew a store-boughtbeanie inside your hat.