Turbine Hat Pattern

I call this hat a Turbine because the crown (where all of the decreases happen) comes out looking sort of like the blades of a turbine when you look at it from the top. If you just stand it up, though, and push down the top a bit, the whole thing looks rather like one of those fancy Jell-O molds. Oh well . . .

There are ribs all around this hat which make its size deceptive. When it’s collapsed (as in the photos) it looks thinner all around than it really is. The nice thing is that it will stay that way to fit a smaller head, but it expands beautifully to fit a larger head. As always, this pattern will work best with wool or a wool blend. I don’t recommend cotton, linen, or other such yarns because they really don’t have the stretch necessary to keep the hat hugging your head.

Materials — Jojoland hats:

US 3 circular needle, 16” long

Extra US 3 circular (for “magic loop”) or set of US 3 dpns to use when there are too few sts to work on one circular.

2 balls Jojoland Melody (each ball is 50g, 220 yards superwash variegated wool) of the same colorway (samples were done with MS26 and MS27)

Materials — Cascade 220 Hat

US 4 circular needle, 16” long

Extra US 4 circular (for “magic loop”) or set of US 4 dpns to use when there are too few sts to work on one circular

1 ball Cascade 220 Superwash (100g, 220 yards superwash wool)

Optional scraps of 2 other colors to knit 2 rounds each.

Gauge: About 6 stitches per inch. Don’t be fussed if it isn’t exact. The ribs in this design make the hat very flexible.

Cast On:

Jojoland Cast-On: Holding both strands together, knit cast on 108 sts. Join into a circle (being careful not to twist) and work 2 x 2 rib (K2, P2) for 18-24 rounds or until brim is about 2” – 2.5” long.

Cascade 220 Cast-On: If using the optional contrasting colors, start with a scrap of a contrasting color, knit cast on 108 sts. Join into a circle (being careful not to twist) and work 2 x 2 rib (K2, P2) for 18-24 rounds or until brim is about 2” – 2.5” long. If you’re using the contrasting colors on the Cascade 220 hat, work one 2 x 2 rib round in the first contrasting color, then work 2 rounds in the other contrasting color, then change to the main color.

OK, now all of the directions are for both hats:

Increase Round: *K8, Kfb* repeat all around. 120 sts total.

Knit the Hat: *K8, P2* repeat all around until work measures 7” from increase round.

Decreases:
*K6, K2tog, P2* repeat. 108 sts total. Work 2 rounds *K7, P2* repeat.
*K5, K2tog, P2* repeat. 96 sts total. Work 2 rounds *K6, P2* repeat.
*K4, K2tog, P2* repeat. 84 sts total. Work 2 rounds *K5, P2* repeat.
*K3, K2tog, P2* repeat. 72 sts total. Work 1 round *K4, P2* repeat.
*K2, K2tog, P2* repeat. 60 sts total. Work 1 round *K3, P2* repeat.
*K1, K2tog, P2* repeat. 48 sts total.
*K2 tog, P2* repeat. 36 sts total.
*P2tog, P1* repeat. 24 sts total.
*P2tog* repeat. 12 sts total.
*P2tog* repeat. 6 sts total.

Finishing: Cut yarn, leaving a tail. Thread tail on needle. Draw threaded needle through rem sts and pull tightly. Secure the cinch. Bury ends.

Abbreviations:

Kfb Knit into the front and back of one stitch (increases 1)
K2tog Knit two stitches together (decreases 1)
P2tog Purl two stitches together (decreases 1)