Envision this: a picturesque autumn day, the air crisp and the ground adorned with fallen leaves, as you leisurely wander through the park, relishing a sip of your pumpkin spice latte. But wait, your head feels chilly, and you realise you need a hat that marries fashion and functionality seamlessly. Enter the Amberjack – a slouchy hat designed for both teens and adults, promising warmth without compromising your style.
But why should you choose the Amberjack? Let me recount the day I first encountered this gem. Rushing for a meeting on a typical fall day, I grabbed the nearest hat, which was an Amberjack. Little did I know, it would swiftly become my favourite accessory for chilly days, enhancing my outfits effortlessly.
The Amberjack boasts a slouchy design that effortlessly elevates any ensemble, offering a chic appeal for those who desire fashion without fuss. Its versatility knows no bounds. Whether you’re exploring a pumpkin patch, delighting in a hayride, or merely enjoying a leisurely walk, the Amberjack is your trusty companion, ensuring you stay cosy and stylish.
In summary, the Amberjack is the epitome of autumn fashion. Its slouchy, stylish design and customisable length make it a must-have accessory for individuals of all ages. So, the next time autumn’s chill touches your skin, reach for an Amberjack and embrace the cosy charm of fall with unmatched style!
PATTERN NOTES
Worked from the bottom up, this versatile hat pattern allows you to craft a perfectly fitting hat seamlessly in the round. The construction involves starting with the brim, progressing to the body, and culminating with shaping the crown. As you approach the final stages of the crown, you’ll need to switch from using 16” / 40 cm circular needles to either the magic loop method or double-pointed needles, depending on your preference for tackling smaller circumferences.
TIPS & TRICKS
For helpful resources on general hat knitting, please visit; https://rhyflowerknits.com/hats/
PATTERN SUPPORT
Please see our Pattern Support page regarding pattern support for our freebie patterns; https://rhyflowerknits.com/pattern-support/
SKILL LEVEL
Easy
SIZE INFORMATION
Child/Teen [Adult, Large Adult]
20 [22, 24]” / 51 [56, 61] cm
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
18 [20, 22]” / 45 [50, 55] cm circumference — select a size from the finished measurements that is 1-3” / 2.5-7.5 cm smaller than your head circumference. This hat is worn with negative ease. 8 [9, 10]” / 20.5 [23, 25.5] cm in length.
NOTIONS
Tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure, stitch marker (1)
SUGGESTED NEEDLES
Brim: US7 (4.5 mm) 16” (40 cm) circular needles, or one size smaller than needles used for gauge
Body: US8 (5 mm) 16” (40 cm) circular needles, or the size required to get gauge
Crown: Same needle size as the body using preferred needles for a small circumference (magic loop or double-pointed needles)
YARN REQUIREMENTS
93 [118, 147] yds / 85 [108, 134] m worsted weight yarn
SUGGESTED YARN
Knit Picks — Wool of the Andes
100% Peruvian Highland Wool
110 yds (101 m) / 1.75 oz (50 g)
Colour: Tumeric
https://www.knitpicks.com/
GAUGE
16 stitches by 26 rounds in stockinette on larger needles = 4” / 10 cm, after blocking. Gauge is crucial in obtaining the correct fit. Changes in gauge will cause a size difference for both your finished hat and the yardage requirements for your project.
ABBREVIATIONS FOR AMBERJACK
( ): Work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed.
*: Repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed.
”: Inch(es).
BOR: Beginning of round.
Cm: Centimetre(s).
Dec: Decrease.
G: Gram(s).
Inc: Increase.
K2tog: Insert the right needle into 2 stitches simultaneously and knit the 2 stitches together. (1 st dec.)
K: Knit.
M: Metre(s).
Mm: Millimetre(s).
Oz: Ounce(s).
P2tog: Insert the right needle into 2 stitches simultaneously and purl the 2 stitches together. (1 st dec.)
P: Purl.
Pm: Place marker.
Rep: Repeat.
Rm: Remove marker.
Sm: Slip marker.
Ssk: Slip 2 stitches, one at a time, knitwise. Knit the slipped stitches together through the back loops. (1 st dec.)
Ssp: Slip 2 stitches, one at a time, knitwise. Purl the slipped stitches together through the back loops. (1 st dec.)
St (Sts): Stitch(es).
Yds: Yards.
Yo: Wrap the working yarn over the right needle, from front to back (counter-clockwise). (1 st inc.)
DIRECTIONS FOR AMBERJACK
Using the Old Norwegian Cast-on and your smaller needles, cast on 72 [80, 88] sts. Place a stitch marker to denote the BOR and join to work in the round, ensuring not to twist.
BRIM
Continue with smaller needles.
Round 1: *K2, p2; rep from * across round.
Continue working Round 1 until the piece measures 2 [2, 2.25]” / 5 [5, 5.5] cm, measured from the cast-on edge.
BODY
Switch to your larger needles.
Round 1: K2, p2, k1, yo, ssk, k5, yo, ssk, k8, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 2: K2, p2, k2, yo, ssk, k5, yo, ssk, k7, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 3: K2, p2, k3, yo, ssk, k5, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 4: K2, p2, k4, yo, ssk, k5, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 5: K2, p2, (k5, yo, ssk) twice, k2tog, yo, k2, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 6: K2, p2, k6, yo, ssk, k10, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 7: K2, p2, yo, ssk, k5, yo, ssk, k9, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 8: K2, p2, k1, yo, ssk, k5, yo, ssk, k8, p2, knit to end of round.
Rounds 9-22: Repeat Rounds 2-8 twice more.
Rounds 23-27: Repeat Rounds 2-6 once more.
Round 28: K2, p2, k7, yo, ssk, k9, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 29: K2, p2, k8, yo, ssk, k8, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 30: K2, p2, k9, yo, ssk, k7, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 31: K2, p2, k10, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 32: K2, p2, k11, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 33: K2, p2, k12, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k2, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 34: K2, p2, k18, p2, knit to end of round.
Continue working Round 34 until the piece measures 5.75 [6.75, 7.75]” / 14.5 [17, 19.5] cm, measured from the cast-on edge, or until the piece measures 2.25” / 5.5 cm less than your desired length.
CROWN
When the crown becomes too challenging to work on circular needles, switch to magic loop or double-pointed needles.
Round 1: K2, p2, k2, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k5, p2tog, p1, *k6, k2tog; rep from * to end of round. 63 [70, 77] sts
Round 2: K2, p2, k15, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 3: K2, p2, k1, k2tog, k5, k2tog, k4, p2tog, p1, *k5, k2tog; rep from * to end of round. 54 [60, 66] sts
Round 4: K2, p2, k12, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 5: K2, p2, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k3, p2tog, p1, *k4, k2tog; rep from * to end of round. 45 [50, 55] sts
Round 6: K2, p2, k9, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 7: K2, p2tog, p1, k3, k2tog, k2, p2tog, p1, *k3, k2tog; rep from * to end of round. 36 [40, 44] sts
Round 8: K2, p2, k6, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 9: K1, p2tog, p1, k2, k2tog, k1, p2tog, p1, *k2, k2tog; rep from * to end of round. 27 [30, 33] sts
Round 10: K1, p2, k4, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 11: P2tog, p1, k1, k2tog, p2tog, p1, *k1, k2tog; rep from * to end of round. 18 [20, 22] sts
Round 12: P2, k2, p2, knit to end of round.
Round 13: P2tog, k2tog, p2tog, *k2tog; rep from * to end of round. 9 [10,11] sts
Round 14: P1, k1, p1, knit to end of round.
CINCHING THE CROWN
Cut the yarn, but leave a 6″ / 15 cm tail for closing the crown and weaving in. With your tapestry needle, run the yarn through your remaining stitches and pull gently to cinch the crown of your hat.
FINISHING
Weave in all your ends, then soak your hat in water for 20 minutes using a gentle soap or wool wash. Use a balloon, mannequin head, or lay your hat flat to block it while drying. Allow the hat to fully air dry. Once dry, attach a pompom if desired.
Now, with your beautiful new hat, go forth and make a stylish statement! ♥