The Brioche Hood Hat

This hat is made from side to side, starting and ending with ties. The crown is shaped using short rows.

Brioche stitch is used throughout, for more information see http://briochestitch.com/brioche

Yarn: Worsted (or ﬁngering held double) Needles: 4mm - 4.5 mm / US 6 - 7 Gauge: 14 stitches in brioche pattern* = 10 cm

Meterage: 160 - 180 m Yardage: 175 - 195 yards

* yo, sl1 counts as one stitch. k2tog counts as one stitch.

Finished measurements: approx. 23 x 58 cm / 9" x 23" (minus ties) Cast on six stitches, using whichever method you like. ( I used the cable cast on).

Brioche: (Even number of stitches)

Set-up row: k1 "yo, sl1(pwise), k1" (repeat "---") until last stitch: sl1wyif All other rows: k1 "yo, sl1(pwise), k2tog (next stitch with the yo from previous row)" (repeat "---") last stitch: sl1wyif sl1(pwise) = slip one stitch purlwise / as if to purl sl1wyif = slip one stitch purlwise with yarn in front

A word about "yo, sl1(pwise)" - this sounds like two steps, but when you get into the rhythm it really is one. I think of it as an unﬁnished purl stitch!

When your tie is about 30 cm/12" (or as long as you want it), cast on another 34 stitches, or maybe a few more if you want the hat slouchier.

WS: Work the set-up row for 34 st. and knit the last six in pattern. (40 stitches on needle - NOTE: count the slipped stitches and it's yo as one stitch!)

RS: Knit 37 in brioche pattern, ending with a k2tog. Turn. WS: Sl1 with a yo, continue in pattern. RS: Knit 35 in brioche pattern, ending with a k2tog. Turn. WS: Sl1 with a yo, continue in pattern. RS: Knit 33 in brioche pattern, ending with a k2tog. Turn.

Continue like this until you have 25 stitches on right needle (15 left unworked). Turn, do the WS and on next two rows knit all 40 stitches in pattern. Turn and start next "wedge" (k37 in pattern, turn).

Keep going until you've made 15 wedges, or the hat ﬁts comfortably around your head.

Bind off 34 from WS and keep knitting over the ﬁrst six stitches until it's as long as the other tie. Bind off.

Nearly ﬁnished!

Seam up the hat from the crown to the straight section (the top 15 stitches), or all the way down if you want a more conventional looking hat.

Weave in ends, wash and wear!