Brioche Brim HatA warm and cozy winter headwarmer with a lovely thick brim to keep it snug on the head. My dad won't part with his, a definite "hit" knitwise.
Hat is knitted flat on straight needles: the brim is worked in brioche stitch, and the main body in stocking stitch. Decrease rows are worked for shaping. Hat is then seamed up the back. Notes: The hat is designed to fit a large adult head, for info on gauge/sizing, see below. Pattern as written measures roughly 20" in circumference, and is designed to fit a 23" head as the brioche brim has plenty of give, it will fit smaller heads by a couple of inches. Brioche stitch:
row 1: K Gauge: 4st = 1" Pattern: Using 4.5mm needles cast on 76 stitches. Work brioche stitch as given for 2". On the next row, knit1, k2tog across so you only have single stitches and no yarn-overs. Knit the next row to give definition to the edge section. Work in stocking stitch for 3 ¼", starting with a knit row. Begin decrease rows:
k2tog, *k8, k2tog repeat from * to end Continue in this fashion until you reach the row k2tog, *k1, k2tog. When this row has been completed, break yarn leaving a long tail and thread through remaining stitches. Pull tight and secure. Weave in any ends, then seam the back of the hat, being sure to line up the brioche section neatly. Notes on sizing: To adapt the hat for other sizes, swatch with yarn and needles to check gauge on brioche stitch, calculate number of stitches needed for head size then reduce by 1 ½ - 2 " to allow for elasticity of the stitch. Gauge for stocking stitch is less important as the band gives the sizing. Divide total number of stitches by 9 to work out when decrease rows should start (e.g. if cast on 65 stitches, begin with the row K2tog, *k7 k2tog etc). If substituting yarn, swatch with chosen needles to ensure brioche stitch gives dense fabric with no holes, adjust needle size to compensate.
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