Meet Betty – not just a hat pattern, but a knitting adventure that weaves joy and warmth into every stitch. Crafted with a luxurious, bulky weight 8-ply yarn, Betty promises not just cosiness but the thrill of a speedy knitting journey.
From the first stitch, Betty embraced me in soft, chunky yarn – a warm hug with each loop. Enchanted, I dived into a world of comfort and creativity, progressing effortlessly. To my amazement, I completed two Betty hats in a single day, thanks to the knitting gods smiling upon me!
What captivated me most was the instant gratification – each round a magical growth. Betty, a newfound obsession, became my regret-free delight. Knitting these hats, I envisioned perfect last-minute gifts – a lovingly crafted, irresistibly cosy gesture. Only those not truly knit-worthy might not appreciate such warmth and care.
With Betty, I shared joy and warmth, gifting my creations to loved ones. Their smiles and gratitude were priceless. Join me in the delightful world of Betty – where every stitch tells a story of comfort, creativity, and cherished connections. ♥
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
Intermediate
SIZE INFORMATION
Adult
22” / 56 cm
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
20” / 51 cm circumference — the finished measurement is 1-3” / 2.5-7.5 cm smaller than your head circumference. This hat is worn with negative ease. 8.5” / 21.5 cm in length.
NOTIONS
Tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure, cable needle, stitch marker (1), pompom (optional)
SUGGESTED NEEDLES
Brim: US9 (5.5 mm) 16” (40 cm) circular needles, or two sizes smaller than needles used for gauge
Body: US11 (5.5 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
125 yds / 144 m bulky weight yarn
SUGGESTED YARN
Knit Picks – Wool of the Andes Bulky
100% Wool
137 yds (125 m)/ 3.5 oz (100 g)
Colour: Silver
https://www.knitpicks.com/
GAUGE
19 stitches by 19.5 rounds in pattern motif (body of hat) 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
*: Repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed.
”: Inch(es).
1/1 LPC: Slip the next stitch to the cable needle and place it in front of work, p1, then k1 from the cable needle.
1/1 RPC: Slip the next stitch to the cable needle and place it in the back of the work, k1, then p1 from the cable needle.
2/2/2 RPC: Slip the next 4 stitches to the cable needle and place at the back of work, k2; slip the 2 left-most stitches from the cable needle to the left-hand needle, p2 from the left-hand needle, then k2 from the cable needle.
4/2/4 RPC: Slip the next 6 stitches to the cable needle and place at the back of the work, k4; slip the 2 left-most stitches from the cable needle to the left-hand needle, p2 from the left-hand needle, then k4 from the cable needle.
BOR: Beginning of round.
Dec: Decrease.
G: Gram(s).
K: Knit.
K2tog: Insert the right needle into 2 stitches at the same time and knit the 2 stitches together. (1 st dec.)
M: Metre(s).
Mm: Millimetre(s).
P: Purl.
Pm: Place marker.
Oz: Ounce(s).
Rep: Repeat.
Rm: Remove marker.
Sm: Slip marker.
Ssk: Slip 2 stitches knitwise, then knit slipped stitches together through the back loops. (1 st dec.)
St (Sts): Stitch(es).
Yds: Yards.
DIRECTIONS
Using the Old Norwegian Cast-on and your smaller needles, cast on 96 stitches. Place a stitch marker to denote the BOR and join to work in the round, ensuring not to twist. Note: The 10-stitch cables cinch in the hat quite a bit, so your hat will seem quite large until you work the 4/2/4 RPC.
BRIM
Continue with smaller needles.
Round 1: *K1, k2, p1; rep from * across round.
Continue working Round 1 until the piece measures 1.5” / 4 cm, measured from the cast-on edge.
BODY
Switch to your larger needles.
Round 1: *P1, 4/2/4 RPC, p2, k3, 1/1 RPC, 1/1 LPC, k3, p1; rep from * across round.
Round 2: *P1, k1, p2, k1, p1; rep from * across round.
Round 3: *P1, k4, p1; rep from * across round.
Round 4: Repeat Round 2.
Round 5: *P1, (k4, p2) twice, 4/2/4 RPC, p1; rep from * across round.
Rounds 6-7: Repeat Rounds 2-3 once more.
Round 8: Repeat Round 2.
Round 9: *P1, 4/2/4 RPC, (p2, k4) twice, p1; rep from * across round.
Rounds 10-25: Repeat Rounds 2-9 twice more.
Round 26: Repeat Round 2.
CROWN
When the crown becomes too challenging to work on circular needles, switch to magic loop or double-pointed needles.
Round 1: *K2tog, k3, p2, k3, ssk; rep from * across round. 80 sts
Round 2: *(K1, p2) 3 times, k2, (p2, k1) 3 times; rep from * across round.
Round 3: *K2tog, k2, p2, k2, ssk, k2tog, 2/2/2 RPC, ssk; rep from * across round. 64 sts
Round 4: *P2, k1, p2, k1, p4, k1, p2, k1, p2; rep from * across round.
Round 5: *K2tog, k1, p2, k1, ssk; rep from * across round. 48 sts
Round 6: *P1, k1, p1; rep from * across round.
Round 7: *K2tog, p2, ssk; rep from * across round. 32 sts
Round 8: *K2tog, ssk; rep from * across round. 16 sts
Round 9: *K2tog; rep from * across round. 8 sts
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! ♥