Birdie Hat

Thank you to Suzanne Frary for this awesome (free) knit hat pattern. Birdie is a trim hat with a petite brim. It is knit in the round from the bottom. On top, the cables twirl together in a sunburst design. Just like the classic baseball caps which inspired it, Birdie is topped off with a button.

Thank you to my precious model Cymone.

Materials
Yarn: 150 yds (135 m) of dk/sport weight yarn.
Needles: U.S. 4 (3.5 mm), 16” circular and 4 dpns
Crochet hook: U.S. D (3.25 mm)

Cable needle, stitch markers, tapestry needle

Gauge: 23 sts, 38 rws per 4 in. in st st. One 16 st pattern rep at cast on edge, where it is stretched, is 2.5 in. One pattern repeat, relaxed, is 2 in.

Size: One size fi ts most teens and adults. Finished hat at bottom band, before brim is attached, is 14.25 in, after brim is attached, 17.5 in. Hat will comfortably stretch up to about 23 in. The brim is 1.75 in deep by 5.5 in wide.


Notes
Abbreviations and charts are at bottom.
Cable and garter st panel, 16 sts, 6 rws
rnd 1: [p1, k6, p2, k6, p1] rep to end
rnd 2: [p1, k6, p2, k1, p4, k1, p1] rep to end
rnd 3: [p1, 3/3LC, p2, k6, p1] rep to end
rnd 4: rep rnd 2
rnd 5: rep rnd 1
rnd 6: rep rnd 2
Repeat these 6 rows.


Pattern
With circular needles or dpns, loosely CO 112 sts. Join to knit in the round. Place marker at beginning of rnd. Work rnd 1 of cable and garter st pattern. Count over 69 sts from the beginning of rnd. Place a marker or scrap yarn on st 69.  This marks the beginning of the brim which will be worked later.  Continue working in the cable and garter st pattern as established.  Work 42 rnds, or 7 complete pattern reps. Work
measures 4.5 ins from CO edge.


Shape top of hat
Once there are too few sts to continue with circular needles, change to dpns.
Rnd 43: [p1, k6, p2, k2, k2tog, k2, p1] 7x, 105 st
Rnd 44: [p1, k6, p2, k1, p3, k1, p1] 7x
Rnd 45: [p1, 3/3LC, p2, k2, k2tog, k1, p1] 7x, 98 st
Rnd 46: [p1, k6, p2, k1, p2, k1, p1] 7x
Rnd 47: [p1, k6, p2, k1, k2tog, k1, p1] 7x, 91 st
Rnd 48: [p1, k6, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1] 7x
Rnd 49: [p1, k6, p2, k1, k2tog, p1] 7x, 84 st
Rnd 50: [p1, k6, p2, k2, p1] 7x
Rnd 51: [p1, 3/3LC, p2, ssk, p1] 7x, 77 st
Rnd 52: [p1, k6, p2, k1, p1] 7x
Rnd 53: [p1, k6, p1, sp2p] 7x, 63 st
Rnd 54: [p1, k6, p2] 7x
Rnd 55: p1, [k6, sp2p] 7x. The last dec will encompass the last st of this rnd and the fi rst st of the next rnd. The next stitch after the dec becomes the fi rst st of the next rnd. Adjust marker to refl ect new starting point. 49 st
Rnd 56: [k6, p1] 7x
Rnd 57: [k2, ssk, k1, ssk] 7x, 35 st
Rnd 58: k around
Rnd 59: [k2, ssk, k1] 7x, 28 st
Rnd 60: ssk around, 14 st
Rnd 61: k around
Leaving about a 12 in tail, cut yarn. With a tapestry needle thread tail through remaining sts. Turn hat inside out, pull tail to inside closing the circle. Secure ends and weave in.


Brim
With rs facing, beginning on st 69 on the CO edge, pu 18 sts. You will proceed in rows to form a double-layer folded brim.
Rw 1: (ws) purl to end,
Rw 2: (rs) k1, RLI, PM after 3rd st, k to last 2 st, PM, LLI, k1, pu 1 st, 21 sts
Rw 3: p to end, slipping markers, PU 1 st, 22 sts
Rw 4: k to 1 before M, RLI, SM, k to M, SM, LLI, k to end, PU1 st, 25 st
Rw 5: rep rw 3
Repeat last two rws 4x more, for a total of 13 rws. You should have 42 st arranged like this: 14 st, M, 14 st, M 14 st.
Turning row: (rs) p to end.
Rw 1: (ws) BO 1, p to end, 41 st.
Rw 2: BO 1, k to 2 before M, ssk, SM, k to M, SM, k2tog, k to end, 38 st.
Repeat last two rows 5x more for a total of 12 rows after turning row, 18 st. BO.  Fold, meeting BO edge to CO edge. Sew edges together.  Weave in ends.

Crochet button (I simply sewed on an ordinary button)*
1. Make a large loop by placing the yarn tail behind the working yarn. Leave a 6 in tail. Insert the hook through the front of the loop and pull the working yarn through. Ch1, 5 sc into loop. Pull tail to close loop. Sl into 1st sc, and ch 1.
2. Sc into same sc as slipped into. Sc twice into each sc. Sl into 1st sc, and ch 1.
3. Sc into each sc. Sl into 1st sc, and ch 1.
4. Dec rnd: Insert hook into next st, and pull through a loop (2 loops on hook). Insert hook into next st and pull through a loop (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, and pull through all loops. Rep to end of rnd.  Leaving about 12 in, cut yarn and fasten off. Stuff all or some of the 1st tail into center of button. With 2nd tail, sew closed and attach to top of hat.


Finishing
Weave in tails, lightly block brim. Orange sample brim was blocked by covering with a pressing cloth and tapping with a steam iron. Purple sample brim was dampened, finger pressed, and air dried.

Abbreviations
( ) alternate measurements
[ ] repeat instructions in brackets
3/3LC 3/3 left cross cable. Slip next 3 sts to cable needle.  Hold at front. K3, then k3 from cable needle
BO bind off
ch chain
CO cast on
dec decrease
dpn double-pointed needle
in(s) inch(es)
k knit
k2tog knit 2 together, 1 st decreased
LLI left lifted increase, or knit left loop. (1) Knit the stitch on the needle. (2) Insert left needle from the bottom into back of the loop of stitch in 1 row below stitch just worked. Knit through the back loop. 1 st increased.
RLI right lifted increase, or knit right loop. (1) Insert right needle into back loop of stitch below, and knit this stitch. (2) Knit the stitch on the needle. 1 st increased.
M marker
P purl
p2tog purl two together, 1 st decreased
PM place marker
PU pick up stitches
rep repeat
rnd round
rs right side, public side
rw row
sc single crochet
sl slip
SM slip marker
sp2p with yarn in back, slip 1 purlwise, yarn forward, p 2 together, pass slipped st over, 2 sts are decreased
ssk slip 2 sts knitwise, one at a time, insert left needle into both sts and k tog, 1 st is decreased
st(s) stitch, stitches
st st stockinette or straight stitch
x times
ws wrong side