The Computer is back up and running, and that means that this post is the promised hat pattern. I've made this hat twice with some different bands, so I'll explain both ways and you can choose which is easier for you. This pattern is written very informally, feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions.
This hat was made with Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable in "Dragonfly"
For this project you will need any yarn with a hook to get a fair gauge. I used Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable with a US F/5-3.75mm. You may also want a stitch marker and yarn needle.
Terms used
Beginning cluster: ch. 2, yarn over and insert hook into same ch. 1 space, yarn over and pull through. yarn over and pull through 2 loops, leaving 2 loops on hook. yarn over and insert hook into same ch. 1 space. yarn over and pull through. yarn over and pull through 2 loops. yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
Three DC cluster. Work same as Beginning cluster, minus the ch. 2, and adding an extra stitch.
Band. Make this as wide as you would like. I made mine 8 HDC Wide. You can work each row in the back loop only for a simple ribbing, or in the font bar of the HDC for the braided look (video on how to do this at the bottom of this post!). Or, you could skip the ribbing altogether and work a simple strip of your favorite basic stitch. Either way, make the band long enough to fit easily around your head with a slight negative ease (it should stretch to fit, but not too much). Slip stitch both ends together to create a ring.
Begin Hat: Ch. 1 and SC evenly around on one side of band, being careful to get enough stitches that the row doesn't get tight. It is better to add too many stitches here than not enough. Count your stitches, the pattern requires an even number. You can also add a second row of SC with extra increases if you would like a fuller hat, just make sure the first row isn't too tight. Join to first Sc with Sl St. Do not turn!
Hat Pattern row 1(V's): ch. 4 (counts as 1 DC and 1 ch now and throughout) 1 DC in same stitch as join. *skip next sc, 1 DC, ch 1, 1 DC in next SC* Repeat ** around. Join with sl. st. in 3rd of 4 ch.
Hat Pattern row 2 (Clusters): ch. 2 (counts as 1 DC) Beginning cluster in same ch. 1 space. ch. 1. *3 DC cluster in next ch. 1 space, ch. 1* repeat ** around, ending with a sl. st. in top of beginning cluster. sl. st. to next ch. 1 space.
Hat Pattern row 3 (V's): ch. 4, 1 DC in same ch. 1 space. *in next ch. 1 space, 1 DC, ch. 1, 1 DC* around. Join with sl. st. in 3rd of 4 ch. (Just like row 1, but worked in ch. 1 spaces instead of sc.)
Repeat the two pattern rows (v's and clusters) to desired length, ending with a cluster row. The more rows you make, the longer your hat will slouch down. Do not sl. st. to next ch. 1 space.
Next row (Decreasing): ch. 1, SC Dec in top of cluster and next ch. 1 space around. join rounds, ch. 1, sc dec in each sc around. Repeat until the top hole lies closed without being stitched. Cut yarn, and weave your end through the last few stitches to secure. Weave in ends and your done!
