The BAR (Basket and Rib) Hat uses a simple, easy to memorize, four-row slip stitch to make a cushy, stretchy, and warm head topper that fits a wide range of heads, from child to adult. It knits up quickly in Bulky yarn for charity, as a gift, or just a fun knit for yourself. Slip stitch patterns not only increase the thermal properties of the fabric, but they can create wonderful color work using only one color/yarn at a time on each row. This pattern uses one color to make vertical and horizontal stripes like a woven basket, and a contrasting color to make ribbed bumps between. The squarish decrease design is created by making Central Double Decreases, which are described in the instructions.

Included in the directions are two brim styles: one is a turn-up brim that adds warmth at neck and ears; the other is a simple ribbing that cuts the knitting time significantly.

The pattern includes instructions for 16” (Small), 18” (Medium), and 20” (Large) sizes. It is written at a gauge of 3.5 stitches per inch. Row gauge is not critical, as measurements are used to determine when to begin the crown decrease.

You will need bulky yarn, size 10 or 10.5 circular needles (or double pointed needles) and a needle one or two sizes smaller for the ribbing, a stitch marker, four locking or safety pin style markers, and a set of double pointed needles (or two circular needles) in the larger size for the crown decrease. You can make this hat with one 100 g. skein of the Main Color, and one 50 g. skein of the Contrasting Color.

This pattern has been tested by wonderful, generous knitters, and the pattern layout and graphic design was done by the talented clairvoyance.