The Simple Slouch – Free Knitting Pattern

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This months tutorials have been unfairly balanced so far in favour of polymer clay, so here is one for a super cute knitted slouch hat. This one works up very fast, without too much shaping, and is ideal for beginner knitters. The simple knit-purl design is patterned on every row, but the results are super pretty and textured. If you cast on this week, you might just be done before Christmas!

***EDIT***

A lot of folks have asked me if it’s possible to download and print this pattern, so I’ve created a pdf file to save you on printer paper! Click here to download the pattern.

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The yarn has quite a bit of drape for super slouch, and the hat is a forgiving fit. The medium sized hat should fit most adults.

You will need:

  • 200 yards of worsted weight yarn. (I’m using KnitPicks Comfy Worsted, Colour ‘whisker’)
  • 16 inch circular needles and 4 double pointed needles in the size needed to obtain gauge. (Sample shown using 5.5mm needles)
  • 1 stitch marker (beginner knitters may want to place a marker every 10 stitches to help them keep their place)
  • Tapestry needle

Gauge: 4 stitches/inch

Size:

  • Small (17.5 inches around)
  • Medium (20 inches around)
  • Large (22.5 inches around)

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Construction notes:

The pattern is in multiples of 10, with no edge stitches required. If you wish to increase or decrease the hat size, or adjust for a different weight of yarn, simply add or subtract 10 stitches from your cast on. Beginner knitters who are not yet used to reading their stitches may find it helpful to place a marker every 10 stitches, and use a different coloured marker to mark the end of the round.

Charts

Using circular needles, cast on 70 (80, 90) stitches

Ribbing:

Rows 1-14:  *p3, k2*, repeat to end.

Body:

Working from either the body chart (above) or written directions, complete 8 full repeats of the stitch pattern.

  • Row 1: *p4, k1, p1, k4* repeat to end
  • Row 2: *p3, k2, p2, k3* repeat to end
  • Row 3: *p2, k2, p1, k1, p2, k2* repeat to end
  • Row 4: *p1, k2, p2, k2, p2, k1* repeat to end
  • Row 5: *k2, p3, k3, p2* repeat to end
  • Row 6: *k1, p4, k4, p1* repeat to end

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Decreasing

Working from either the decrease chart (above) or written directions, complete 1 full repeat of the stitch pattern.

  • Row 1: *p4, k1, p1, k1, sk2po* repeat to end
  • Row 2: *p3, k2, p2, k1* repeat to end
  • Row 3: *p2, k2, p1, sk2po* repeat to end
  • Row 4: *p1, k2, p2, k1* repeat to end
  • Row 5: *k2, p1, sk2po* repeat to end
  • Row 6: *k1, p3* repeat to end

Break the yarn with at least 6 inches of tail. Thread the tapestry needle with the tail yarn and run it through your remaining stitches, cinching tightly to close your hat. Weave in your ends and gift it, or rock it yourself!

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24 responses to “The Simple Slouch – Free Knitting Pattern”

  1. Joy Fox Avatar
    Joy Fox

    Please include key to stitches: what is sk2po ???

    1. The Blue Brick Avatar

      Hi Joy
      SK2PO is detailed in the chart – if you look just below the chart you will see a key to all of the stitches used, this nomenclature is common to both the chart and the written pattern. Hope that helps :)

  2. Joy Gold Avatar
    Joy Gold

    Kindly add a “Print” button for just the directions so we don’t have to print dozens of pages of unnecessary photos and ads. Thank you very much. Joy Gold, joyellengold@me.com

    1. The Blue Brick Avatar

      Hi Joy – that’s a great idea! I don’t think I can easily add that on wordpress, but I’ll figure something out :)

      1. Joy Gold Avatar
        Joy Gold

        Thank you very much! Joy

  3. Sue Spry Avatar
    Sue Spry

    Wanted to say thanks. Knitting this for my friends daughter without the pattern and already decided to do another one with. Also the tip of marking every 10 stitches is brilliant, it has made the rib (a pet hate of mine) a joy to do.

    1. The Blue Brick Avatar

      Wonderful! It’s the little things, isn’t it? It really helped me out when I was just learning lace :)

      1. Sue Spry Avatar
        Sue Spry

        I’ve never done lace (the word is enough to give me the he-be-g-bees), but reading this pattern I’m thinking….. I can do that!
        I’m on holiday in a couple of weeks so will be taking it with me.
        Many thanks again.

  4. Mary Avatar
    Mary

    Great pattern, thank you!

    1. The Blue Brick Avatar

      You are most welcome! I love that it finishes up quickly, so you can enjoy it while there is still lots of winter ahead of us!

  5. SewBee Avatar
    SewBee

    Wonderful pattern, love it! I’m not too good with reading instructions, can you advise if I’m getting it wrong with the instruction for decreasing – “…..complete 1 full repeat of the stitch pattern.” Does it mean to do the 6 rows of decrease twice? Please help! Thanks.

    1. The Blue Brick Avatar

      Hi! I’m so sorry, I seem to have missed this comment until now! I meant to work rows 1-6 of the decrease section once, as follows:
      Row 1: *p4, k1, p1, k1, sk2po* repeat to end
      Row 2: *p3, k2, p2, k1* repeat to end
      Row 3: *p2, k2, p1, sk2po* repeat to end
      Row 4: *p1, k2, p2, k1* repeat to end
      Row 5: *k2, p1, sk2po* repeat to end
      Row 6: *k1, p3* repeat to end
      That should complete the top of your hat! Do let me know if that helped :)

  6. SewBee Avatar
    SewBee

    I couldn’t wait for a reply so I went ahead to do the decrease pattern the second time and it didn’t look right. I had to un-knit. So, I found it out myself! I guess knitting logic comes slowly and if I stay with it, I should become a better knitter. Wow!

  7. Kay McGath Avatar

    Love the pattern. Anxious to knit it up. One problem. How do I make a copy? Feeling pretty silly that I can’t figure this out!

    1. The Blue Brick Avatar

      Hi Kay! Thanks for asking, you’re not the only one! I’ve added a download link in the pattern, of you can just click here.

      1. Kay McGath Avatar

        Thank you SO MUCH for the print option! Had given up on pattern. So glad I checked again. Have the printed copy. Can’t wait to get started!

      2. Janette Avatar
        Janette

        Thank you so much ❤️

  8. Jean Bokenfohr Avatar
    Jean Bokenfohr

    Do you have a pattern for this on straight needles?

  9. Susan Messenger Avatar
    Susan Messenger

    Thank you very much for this wonderful pattern. Looking forward to making this in the coming weeks. Thanks for the one page pdf !!!
    Love your blog !

  10. thecraftasticsisters Avatar

    Great pattern! I made this in purple and grey and it’s gorgeous. I was wondering if I could actually add another decrease row, as I found that there were too many stitches at the end, and it was difficult to tighten them properly. What do you think?

  11. Judy Avatar
    Judy

    Love this pattern. Thank you

  12. Dawn Moore Johannesen Avatar

    What do the astericks mean please?

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