~ 1 ~ This pattern is for personal use only. Copyright 2010 Linda Fisher. All rights reserved. . Feel free to contact me if you have any ques tions [email protected] T o Slouch or Not to Slouch Hat By Linda Fisher - MomofTwins I am teaching knitting to a group of children aged 6 - 10 and thought that a simple roll brim hat would be a fun project for them. Boy was I wrong. The thought of knitting 70sts around and around and around was NOT what they wanted to do. I decided to write up this pattern as something fun for them to knit as well as a way to learn new techniques. Watching the pattern emerge as they knit round after round has been a sa tisfying experience for them . I think you will enjoy knitting up this hat as much as they did. Why not teach a yo ung girl or boy to knit along with you! This pattern incorporates new stitches for the confident knitter. White hat is size Small/Medium, DK weight cashmere/merino using US7 needles and not blocked. Blue and Pink hat is size Small/Medium Worsted weight superwash wool using US8 needles and blocked to slouch. Purple hat is size Large, DK weight superwash merino usi ng US8 needles and blocked to slouch. Skill Level: Advanced Beginner Size: Small/Medium(Large) Finished Measurements: S/M approximately 19” circumference at brim, after blocking. L/XL approximately 23" circumference at brim, after blocking. Use US7 needle on brim if desired. Yarn: Li on Brand Wool-Ease - 80% acrylic, 20% wool. One 3oz ball required. Worsted weight (To Slouch). Capra by KnitPicks - 85% Merino Wool, 15% Cashmere. One 50g ball(S), 2 balls (L). DK weight (Not to Slouch) Needles and other materials: - Circular knitting needle (16”) in size US8 (5mm) for To Slouch Hat, US7 (4.5 mm) for Not to Slouch Hat or the size to obtain gauge. DPN's or Magic Loop in same size needles for the crown decreases. - Start of round marker. Gauge: Worsted: 18sts and 24 rows = 4” in Diamond Pattern after blocking. DK: 24sts and 32 rows = 4" in Diamond Pattern not blocked. Take time to save time, check your gauge. Pattern instructions are written with Small/Medium (Large/XLarge) stitch numbers and the difference between Slouch and Not to Slouch is dependent upon the yarn size, gauge, needles and blocking. Abbreviations: CO: cast on K: knit K2tog: knit 2 together P: purl rnd(s): round(s) st(s): stitch(es) tbl: through the back loop 1 x 1 Rib: (multiple of 2 sts) *K1tbl, p1; rep from * around. CR: Cable Right Knit next 2 stitches together, do not remove stitches from needle, knit first stitch again. Now remove stitches. CL: Cable Left Knit second stitch through the back loop (tbl), do not remove stitch from needle, knit first stitch as normal. Now remove stitches. M1L: Make 1 stitch Left leaning Pick up the left leg of two stitches below the last stitch knit and place it on the LH needle. Knit this stitch through the back loop.