Hourglass Winter Hat (or My First Published Knitting Pattern)

For quite some time I have wanted to publish some of my knitting patterns, so here comes the first one! I'd appreciate any feedback on how this pattern reads, any typos or lack of clarity and I would love to see your finished hats. 

HOURGLASS WINTER HAT PATTERN

A stylish warm winter hat with a decorative hourglass pattern created by strategically placed slipped stitches. Simple cabling is involved. Suitable as a first cable project.

Sizing: 
The pattern comes in two sizes, Youth/Women's Small (Woman's Medium). It is close fitting and long enough to be pulled well down over the ears for those cold windy days. If you wish to make a smaller or larger size, the number of CO sts needs to be a multiple of 8.

Materials:

Yarn – approximately 110-150 m (120-160 yards) worsted or aran weight yarn.

Needles – 4 mm (US 6) and 5 mm (US 8) 40 cm (16in) circular needle and 5 mm (US 8) double pointed needles or longer circular needles for magic loop for knitting the crown of the hat.

Other – 1 stitch marker and a darning needle.

Gauge: 
Due to the nature of the hourglass pattern, the gauge will vary from row to row. An average should be approximately 15 st per 10 cm after blocking. This will give a hat with a circumference of 53 (58) cm approximately. 

Pattern:

Using smaller needles, CO 80 (88) sts. PM and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Work k1, p1 ribbing around until the work measures 4 (5) cm from the CO edge. Change to larger needles.

Hourglass pattern:

The hourglass pattern is worked in a multiple of 8 sts and 20 rounds repeat. All slipped stitches are slipped purlwise with yarn held to the back.

Round 1: * p3, k2, p3; repeat from * to last st.

Round 2: * p3, sl 2, p3; repeat from * to last st.
Round 3: * p3, k2, p3; repeat from * to last st.
Round 4: * p3, sl 2, p3; repeat from * to last st.
Round 5: * p2, RS, LS, p2; repeat from * to last st.
Round 6: * p2, sl 1, p2, sl 1, p2; repeat from * to last st.
Round 7: * p1, RS, p2, LS, p1; repeat from * to last st.
Round 8: * p1, sl 1, p4, sl 1, p1; repeat from * to last st.
Round 9: * RS, p4, LS; repeat from * to last st.
Round 10: * sl 1, p6, sl 1; repeat from * to last st.
Round 11: * k1, p6, k1; rep repeat * to last st.
Round 12: * sl 1, p6, sl 1; repeat from * to last st.
Round 13: * k1, p6, k1; repeat from * to last st.
Round 14: * sl 1, p6, sl 1; repeat from * to last st.
Round 15: * LS, p4, RS; repeat from * to last st.
Round 16: * p1, sl 1, p4, sl 1, p1; repeat from * to last st.
Round 17: * p1, LS, p2, RS, p1; repeat from * to last st.
Round 18: * p2, sl 1, p2, sl 1, p2; repeat from * to last st.
Round 19: * p2, LS, RS, p2; repeat from * to last st.
Round 20: * p3, sl 2, p3; repeat from * to last st.

Repeat rounds 1 to 20 once more, then repeat round 1 once more. The hat should now measure approximately 18 (19) cm from the cast on edge.

Crown:
Knit one round, purl one round, then start decreases. Switch to double pointed needles or magic loop when you have too few stitches to work comfortably on circular needles. 

Round 1: * k6, k2tog; repeat from * to last st.
Round 2: purl all sts.

Round 3: * k5, k2tog; repeat from * to last st.

Round 4: purl all sts.

Round 5: * k4, k2tog; repeat from * to last st.

Round 6: purl all sts.

Round 7: * k3, k2tog; repeat from * to last st.

Round 8: purl all sts.

Round 9: * k2, k2tog; repeat from * to last st.

Round 10: purl all sts.

Round 11: * k1, k2tog; repeat from * to last st.

Round 12: purl all sts.

Round 11: * k2tog; repeat from * to last st.

Finishing:

Cut yarn and pull the tail through the last sts left on the needles. Pull firmly to close the top of the hat. Weave in ends and block.

I added a pompom to my prototype since they seem to be all the rage at the moment.

Abbreviations:

CO – cast on

k – knit

k2tog – knit two together

LS – left slip; Drop (knitted) slipped stitch off needle to front of work, purl 1, pick up dropped stitch and knit it. Alternatively, use a cable needle. Slip 1 knit st to cable needle held to the front of the work. Purl one st, knit the st held on cable needle.

p – purl

PM – place marker

RS – right slip; Slip 1 purl stitch with yarn in back, drop next (knitted) slip stitch off needle to front of work, slip same purl stitch back to the left-hand needle, pick up dropped stitch and knit it, purl 1. Alternatively, use a cable needle. Slip 1 purl stitch to cable needle held to the back of the work. Knit one st, purl the st held on cable needle.

sl – slip stitch purlwise with yarn held to the back

st(s) – stitch(es)

HAPPY KNITTING!

If you share your project on Instagram, do tag me @cechalden and #hourglasswinterhat. I'd love to see your FOs! 

Ravelry pattern page here.

Courtesy of Ania of skaeri.pl, the pattern is now available in Polish! Thanks a lot, I'm flattered!