Knitting tutorial: the rice stitch hat
This knitted hat was popular last week on Instagram. So I'm offering you the tutorial to make it yourself! Here is the pattern to knit your own hat in rice stitch and with a pretty pompom.
The origins
Before getting to the heart of the matter, a little history about this pattern. I have been knitting for a few years, but as an amateur. I am less assiduous and much less expert than in sewing. In knitting, I like basics that can be easily adapted with new stitches or new wools.
Last week, as the temperatures started to cool down, I was delighted to rediscover my little collection of Volcano hats and thought it would be a good idea to share the pattern with you.
I came up with this hat when I had an Etsy shop and was selling accessories. Seed stitch is one of my favorite stitches, and I can't imagine a hat without a pom pom, which is how this pattern came to be.
I spent many evenings knitting in front of a movie to make my small production. I can therefore confirm that this pattern knits quickly and easily. It is accessible to beginner knitters. Do not hesitate to supplement my instructions with Youtube videos to learn how to knit in the round and the rice stitch.
The material
2 balls of Partner 6 from Phildar (a little more if you want a big pompom)
circular needles size 5 & size 6
a pom pom kit
a needle for sewing wool
The instructions
Before you start knitting, remember to check your gauge carefully, otherwise you may end up with a hat that is too small or too big. Here are the associated dimensions:
10 cm of 1:1 ribbing: 18 stitches
10 cm square of rice stitch: 16 stitches per 30 rows
• cast on 92 stitches
RIBS
• knit 1:1 ribbing in the circular for 10 rows using size 5 needles.
BASE OF THE CAP
• change to size 6 circular needles and start knitting in rice stitch, decreasing one stitch at the beginning of the first row, you now have 91 stitches. Continue for 28 rows .
To knit in rice stitch, alternate one knit stitch and one purl stitch. Since you are knitting in the round and the number of stitches is odd, you don't have any more questions to ask yourself.
DECREASES
• decrease by 12 stitches every 3 rows ( repeat five times between * and *)
→ row 1: knit 12 sts., * knit 2 sts. together twice in seed stitch pattern, knit 11 sts. *, knit 2 sts. together twice; 79 sts remain.
→ row 4: knit 10 sts, * knit 2 sts together twice , knit 9 sts, * knit 2 sts together twice; 67 sts remain.
→ row 7: knit 8 sts, * knit 2 sts together twice , knit 7 sts, * knit 2 sts together twice; 55 sts remain.
→ row 10: knit 6 sts, * knit 2 sts together twice , knit 5 sts *, knit 2 sts together twice; 43 sts remain.
→ row 13: knit 4 sts, * knit 2 sts together twice , knit 3 sts, * knit 2 sts together twice; 31 sts remain.
→ row 16: knit 2 sts, * knit 2 sts together twice , knit 1 st, * knit 2 sts together twice; 19 sts remain.
• For row 19, decrease 6 stitches only: knit 2 sts, * knit 2 sts together , knit 1 st, * knit 2 sts together; 13 sts remain.
• Close the top of the hat and pass a thread through the remaining stitches using the sewing needle.
• Download the Excel diagram of decreases •
FINISHES
• Make a pompom of the desired diameter and sew it to the top of your hat. For pretty details, I like to add a gold or silver thread in the pompom :)
This number of stitches gives me a hat of 50 cm in diameter at the ribs, and I believe I am a knitter who knits tightly. So, do not hesitate to make a sample and adapt the number of stitches to your head size if necessary (in multiples of 6, it will be easier to distribute them in each zone between the decreases, modify the excel diagram to help you).
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I hope you enjoy knitting this pattern and wearing it. Happy knitting :)
