It’s the story of a cosy bonnet imagined at the first chillings of autumn for my little Aurèle and which has since warmed thousands of little and big ears around the world (over 120,000 downloads and nearly 4,000 projects on Ravelry)!
Knitted over the course of a few evenings in a simple textured stitch that gives a lovely texture, with an enveloping shape that’s neither too pointed nor too square to suit everyone, it’s a perfect pattern for finishing off lonely balls of yarn and reminding yourself how much fun it is to know how to knit!
The first version was created for our chunky Cyrano yarn and today I’m introducing a lighter version, with a discreetly chic look that’s easy to slip into your pocket, for knitting in Gilliatt or combining with two finer yarns like Pénélope and Bérénice. I’ve taken the opportunity to expand the range of sizes available so that you can knit a whole family of ‘Beloved’. Depending on the size you choose, it will only take you a few evenings to knit one, so you’ll have plenty of time to prepare some lovely, thoughtful gifts between now and Christmas!
One ball of Gilliatt is enough to knit all sizes, and one (two for Adult L) ball of Penelope and one ball of Berenice for the version knitted in yarn held in double. For this pattern, the supplies are also specified in weight so that you can make the most of your leftover yarn 🙂
This pattern presents few difficulties and requires knowledge of :
- cast on using the continental method (Long tail Cast On)
- knit and purl
- working with markers
- follow a pattern of purl stitches and knit stitches for 4 rows (and pursue it when decreasing)
- making decreases (“ssk” and “k2tog”)
The explanations include a seamless version and a flat knitting version for those who prefer not to knit in the round on small diameters (or who only have straight needles to hand). You’ll find the seamless version below and both versions in the PDF.
You can find a PDF version of this pattern here:
SIZES:
Baby (toddler, kid, adult S, adult M, adult L)
To fit head circumference up to: 40 (45, 50, 52, 56, 60) cm /15.75 (17.75, 19.75, 20.5, 22, 23.5) inches with 6 to 8 cm / 2.5 to 3 inches of negative ease.
YARN & YARDAGE:
SINGLE YARN Version (GILLIATT)
Approx 25 (30, 40, 45, 50, 60) g that is 1 ball of De Rerum Natura Gilliatt (100 % Arles Merino and black Portuguese merino woolen spun; 250 m / 100 g) or approx 65 (75, 100, 115, 125, 150) m / 71 (82, 109, 126, 137, 164) yards of similar worsted weight yarn.
The samples below are knitted in gilliatt “tempête” in adult size M for the left hat and in gilliatt “bouleau” in children’s size for the right hat.
Version with two yarns held together (PÉNÉLOPE + BÉRÉNICE)
Approx 24 (29, 38, 43, 48, 58) g that is 1 (1, 1, 2) ball(s) of De Rerum Natura Pénélope (90 % organic Arles Merino worsted spun, 10% silk, 133 m / 50 g) or approx 65 (75, 100, 115, 125, 150) m / 71 (82, 109, 126, 137, 164) yards of similar DK weight yarn.
AND
Approx 7 (9, 12, 13, 15, 18) g that is 1 ball of De Rerum Natura Bérénice (55% super kid mohair, 25% silk, 20% organic Arles merino; 210 m / 25 g) or approx 65 (75, 100, 115, 125, 150) m / 71 (82, 109, 126, 137, 164) yards of similar lace weight yarn.
The sample on the cover of the article is knitted in Pénélope + Bérénice “petit matin” in children’s size; the one pictured below is knitted in Pénélope “prune” and Bérénice “confiture de rose” in Adult L size for a hat that’s a bit slouchy and super comfortable!
GAUGE:
18 sts x 26 rnds/rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 inches knitted in moss stitch pattern with larger needles and measured after blocking.
NEEDLES:
In the round version (seamless)
3.5 mm / US 4 circular needles with a cable length of 40 cm / 16’’ for the brim
4.5 mm / US 7 circular needles with a cable length of 40 cm / 16’’ for the body AND DPN’s or circular needles with a cable length of 80 cm / 31.5’’ for crown shaping
(or the size you need to obtain the gauge and two sizes smaller).
Flat version (with seaming)
3.5 mm / US 4 straight needles for the brim
4.5 mm / US 7 straight needles for the body
(or the size you need to obtain the gauge and two sizes smaller).
OTHER TOOLS:
5 stitch markers (4 for the flat version)
Yarn needle for weaving in ends
abbreviations
CO = cast on
DPN = double-pointed needles
est = established
k = knit
k2tog = knit two stitches together (1 st decreased)
M = marker
p = purl
pM = place a marker
rnd(s) = round(s)
RS = Right side
ssk = slip, slip, knit: slip one stitch knitwise, slip one stitch purlwise, knit them together through back loop. (1 st decreased)
sM = slip marker
st(s) = stitch(es)
WS = Wrong side
*-* = Repeat from * to *
NOTE: You’ll find instructions for knitting this pattern flat, with a seam, in the PDF download here.
DIRECTIONS
BRIM
Using smallest needles (3.5 mm / US 4) and the long-tail method, CO 60 (68, 76, 80, 88, 96) sts. Join in the round being careful not to twist. PM to indicate beginning of the round.
Start working in 1×1 Rib as follows:
Ribbing rnd: * k1, p1 * to end.
Work in est 1×1 Rib for 8 (8, 10, 16, 16, 16) rnds in total, or until the piece measures approx 3 (3, 4, 6, 6, 6) cm / 1.25 (1.25, 1.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5) inches from the CO edge.
MAIN BODY
Using largest needles (4,5 mm / US 7), work main body in moss stitch pattern as follows:
Rnd 1: *p1, k1* to end.
Rnd 2: *p1, k1* to end.
Rnd 3: *k1, p1* to end.
Rnd 4: *k1, p1* to end.
Work in est moss stitch pattern for 17 (21, 25, 23, 23, 27) rnds in total or until the piece measures approx 9.5 (11, 13.5, 15, 15, 16.5) cm from the CO edge, finishing with rnd 1 or 3.
For extra slouchiness, you can add few rounds here.
Next rnd (placing markers for crown shaping): work in moss stitch pattern 8 (9, 10, 10, 11, 12) sts, *pM, work in moss stitch pattern 15 (17, 19, 20, 22, 24) sts, repeat twice since *, pM, work in moss stitch pattern to end.
CROWN SHAPING
As you knit the crown, you will need to change to DPNs or long circular needle for Magic Loop when you have too few stitches to comfortably work on your circular needles.
Rnd 1 (decreases): *work in moss stitch pattern to 3 sts before M, ssk, k1, sM, k2tog; repeat 3 times from *, work in moss stitch pattern to end. (= 8 decreases)
Rnd 2: *work in moss stitch pattern to 2 sts before M, k2, sM, k1; repeat 3 times from *, work in moss stitch pattern to end.
Repeat these last 2 rnds until 12 (12, 12, 16, 16, 16) sts remain (= 6 (7, 8, 8, 9, 10) times in total).
Next rnd: *ssk, remove M, k2tog; repeat from * to end.
(= 6 (6, 6, 8, 8, 8) sts. )
Cut the yarn to 20 cm /8 inches, using a yarn needle to pass it through the remaining live stitches and pull tight, closing the hole.
FINISHING
With the yarn needle, bring the tail to the inside of the hat and weave it. Weave in any remaining ends. If you want, sew firmly a pom pom (see «how to» below) to the top of the hat.
Block the hat lightly without stretching the ribs. Give your hat a quick bath and dry it flat, according to measurements and taking care not to stretch the ribs of the brim. Et voilà !
How to make a pom pom
1. Cut two disks from light cardboard. The diameter of these determines the size of your pom pom. Cut a hole in the center of each one of them, about 1/3 the diameter. It should look like a small doughnut. Cut a slit through both cardboard rings.
2. Hold the two circles together and start wrapping your yarn all around the edges, feeding the yarn through the slit each time. Keep wrapping until you cannot fit any more yarn through the hole.
3. Cut off the yarn, then cut an extra length of yarn about 25 cm / 10 inches long. Hold the middle of your pom-pom and carefully use scissors to snip the yarn between the two cardboard rings.
4. Place your extra length of yarn between the two cardboard rings all the way around, and tie to secure. Remove the cardboard rings. Trim around the outside of the pom pom to even out the threads. You can now sew the pom pom on your hat using the piece of yarn you used to tie the middle of the pom pom (do not hesitate to fix it on several points to tie it firmly). Wear it proudly !
I hope this pattern will inspire you to warm up little and big heads this winter and prepare some lovely cosy gifts! Don’t hesitate to share your comments and creations of this pattern on Ravelry or on Instagram (tagging @dererumnatura or #tutoDRN so we can find you), it’s always a pleasure for us to discover the beautiful things you do with our yarns 🙂
