1898 Hat

I just finished knitting an “1898 Hat”. I found the pattern here. It’s the first time I’ve made one.

Apparently the Seamen’s Church Institute had a contest a few years ago which prompted Kristine Byrnes to design the pattern (inspired by one pictured in a magazine published around 1910). It’s named for the year their Christmas at Sea program began. 

Thanks for modelling it, Gord!

It was an interesting hat to make … the headband is knitted side to side and provides a double layer of garter stitch to keep ears warm.  I used a 4 ply yarn and 5mm needles.

Patttern Rows

• Row A (RS): Sl 1, knit to marker, sl m, k3, sl m, knit to end.
• Row B (all WS rows): Sl 1, knit to marker, sl m, sl 3 wyif, sl m, knit to end.
• Row C (RS): Sl 1, knit until 1 st before marker, kfb, sl m, k3, sl m, kfb, knit to end. (2 sts inc)
• Row D (RS): Sl 1, knit until 2 sts before marker, k2tog, sl m, k3, sl m, ssk, knit to end. (2 sts dec)

Directions

Using provisional cast on, cast on 27 stitches, leaving a 20” tail. (If you prefer to seam instead of graft the ends together, use your preferred cast-on, but leave the same length tail.) Switch to project yarn and work the set up row (WS): Sl 1, k11, pm, sl 3 wyif, pm, k12. 

Back of Headband: Work Rows A & B 8 times. (18 total rows, including cast on and set up row) 

Right Earflap: 

• Work Rows C & B 9 times. (45 sts; 36 total rows) 
• Work Rows A & B 3 times. (42 total rows) 
• Work Rows D & B 9 times. (27 sts; 60 total rows) 

Front of Headband: Work Rows A & B 24 times. (108 total rows) 

Left Earflap: 

• Work Rows C & B 9 times. (45 sts; 126 total rows) 
• Work Rows A & B 3 times. (132 total rows) 
• Work Rows D & B 9 times. (27 sts; 150 total rows) 

Finish Back of Headband: Work Rows A & B 9 times. (168 total rows) 

Do not cut working yarn. Graft or seam the two ends together using the tail. Weave in end. 

Fold headband in half along the slip stitch ridge in the middle of the headband. Pick up stitches from the front and back of the band simultaneously to attach the front and back together. To do this, starting from the side facing you, slide the circular needle (or a crochet hook) through one bar on the side of the front band, then through the matching bar on the back band; pick up the working yarn and bring it back through both bars. One stitch will now connect the front and back bands together; place this stitch on the right-hand needle. Continue along the circle formed by the band until 84 stitches have been picked up. 

Place marker for beginning of the round (at back seam) and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. 

Hat Body: Knit in the round until hat measures 5” from bottom edge (non- earflap) of hat. (See schematic). 

Shape Crown: 

• *K10, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (77 sts) Knit 2 rounds. 
• *K9, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (70 sts) Knit 2 rounds. 
• *K8, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (63 sts) Knit 1 round. 
• *K7, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (56 sts) Knit 1 round. 
• *K6, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (49 sts) Knit 1 round. 
• *K5, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (42 sts) Knit 1 round. 
• *K4, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (35 sts) Knit 1 round.
• *K3, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (28 sts) Knit 1 round.
• *K2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (21 sts) Knit 1 round. 
• *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (14 sts) 
• K2tog 7 times. (7 sts) 

Finishing 

Cut yarn, leaving a 6” tail. With tapestry needle, pull through remaining stitches tightly, secure end on inside. Weave in all ends.