Forest Walk Hat
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When I started working on my shawl anthology, Big Book of Knitted Shawls, I knew that there were more patterns from my out of print books that I would want to revisit beyond just the 35 shawls that I was able to include in my new “best of” book. I’ve already made the Pomelo Cowl from Stunning Stitches available, and now it’s time to share another old book pattern with you - the Forest Walk Hat.
The pattern was originally featured in my book, Sock-Yarn Accessories. The matching shawl, the Forest Walk Shawl, is now in my new shawl anthology, Big Book of Knitted Shawls (Landauer, 2024). I’m very excited to be bringing you some of my favorite patterns in new formats! And so I present to you the Forest Walk Hat, now available for free below.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Stitches Used: Knit/Purl, Yarn Over, Decreases (k2tog and ssk)
Techniques Used: Cast On, Knitting in the Round, Increasing/Decreasing
Size: Adult
Finished Circumference: 18", fits up to 22"
Finished Length: 10"
Materials
250 yards of fingering-weight yarn
US Size 6 (4.0 mm) circular needle, 16" cable, or size needed to obtain gauge
US Size 6 (4.0 mm) set of double-pointed needles
US size 3 (3.25 mm) circular needle, 16" cable
1 stitch marker
Tapestry needle
Yarn Used for Hat Shown
1 skein of Silky 435 from JulieSpins (50% silk, 50% superwash merino; 100 g; 435 yds) in the color Lilac
Gauge
20 sts and 28 rnds = 4" in chart patt with larger needles in the rnd
Instructions
With smaller circular needle, CO 119 sts. Join rnd being careful not to twist. Place marker to mark the beginning of the rnd.
Ribbing Rnd: *(P1, k1) 8 times, p1; rep from * to end.
Rep Ribbing Rnd another 13 times (14 rnds total).
Switch to larger circular needle and knit 1 rnd.
Using chart or written instructions below, work Rnds 1-20 three times (60 rnds total).
Written Instructions for Chart
Rnd 1: *P1, k12, k2tog, yo, k1, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 2: *P1, k11, k2tog, k2, yo, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 3: *P1, k10, k2tog, k1, yo, k2, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 4: *P1, k9, k2tog, k3, yo, k1, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 5: *P1, k8, k2tog, k2, yo, k3, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 6: *P1, k7, k2tog, k4, yo, k2, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 7: *P1, k6, k2tog, k3, yo, k4, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 8: *P1, k5, k2tog, k5, yo, k3, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 9: *P1, k4, k2tog, k4, yo, k5, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 10: *P1, k3, k2tog, k6, yo, k4, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 11: *P1, k1, yo, ssk, k12, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 12: *P1, yo, k2, ssk, k11, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 13: *P1, k2, yo, k1, ssk, k10, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 14: *P1, k1, yo, k3, ssk, k9, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 15: *P1, k3, yo, k2, ssk, k8, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 16: *P1, k2, yo, k4, ssk, k7, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 17: *P1, k4, yo, k3, ssk, k6, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 18: *P1, k3, yo, k5, ssk, k5, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 19: *P1, k5, yo, k4, ssk, k4, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 20: *P1, k4, yo, k6, ssk, k3, p1; rep from * to end.
Shape Crown
Note: Switch to dpns when stitches no longer fit comfortably on 16" circular needle.
Rnd 1: *P1, k12, k2tog, k1, p1; rep from * to end—112 sts.
Rnd 2: *P1, k10, k2tog, k2, p1; rep from * to end—105 sts.
Rnd 3: *P1, k8, k2tog, k3, p1; rep from * to end—98 sts.
Rnd 4: *P1, k6, k2tog, k4, p1; rep from * to end—91 sts.
Rnd 5: *P1, k4, k2tog, k5, p1; rep from * to end—84 sts.
Rnd 6: *P1, k2, k2tog, k6, p1; rep from * to end—77 sts.
Rnd 7: *P1, k2tog, k7, p1; rep from * to end—70 sts.
Rnd 8: *K2tog, k7, p1; rep from * to end—63 sts.
Rnd 9: *K2tog, k6, p1; rep from * to end—56 sts.
Rnd 10: *K2tog, k5, p1; rep from * to end—49 sts.
Rnd 11: *K2tog, k4, p1; rep from * to end—42 sts.
Rnd 12: *K2tog, k3, p1; rep from * to end—35 sts.
Rnd 13: *K2tog, k2, p1; rep from * to end—28 sts.
Rnd 14: *K2tog, k1, p1; rep from * to end—21 sts.
Rnd 15: *K2tog, p1; rep from * to end—14 sts.
Finishing
Cut yarn, leaving an 8" tail. With tapestry needle, thread tail through remaining sts and pull snugly to close hat. Block hat to finished measurements given at beginning of patt. With tapestry needle, weave in ends.
Abbreviations
CO: cast on
dpn(s): double-pointed needle(s)
k: knit
k2tog: knit two stitches together
p: purl
patt: pattern
rep: repeat
rnd(s): round(s)
ssk: slip a stitch as if to knit to right needle, slip a second stitch as if to knit to right needle slip both stitches back to left needle and knit together through the back loops
st(s): stitch(es)
yo: yarn over
